Meet Bari Male Experience

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bari Male Experience a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

BarI Male Experience , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

FadeAwayRyan’s journey is a remarkable story of resilience, dedication, and transformation. Having lost over 450 pounds, Ryan’s “why” seems to revolve around a few core motivations:

    1.    Redefining Self-Identity: Ryan’s journey is not just about weight loss; it’s a pursuit to reclaim control over his life and redefine who he is. His commitment to creating a community suggests that he sees himself as more than just someone who’s lost weight – he’s a leader, motivator, and an advocate for others who are navigating similar paths.
2.    Community and Brotherhood: Ryan is building a community specifically for men, with a focus on both weight loss and mental health. His “why” extends beyond himself, as he aims to foster a space for others to find camaraderie, support, and encouragement. Ryan’s desire to create this community reflects a deep understanding that mental health and physical health are intertwined, and he’s working to break the isolation that many men feel on this journey.
3.    Mental and Physical Transformation: Through his posts and efforts to boost visibility, Ryan shows that his “why” includes mental wellness as much as physical transformation. His weight loss journey represents more than numbers on a scale – it’s a testament to the power of consistency, resilience, and mental strength, qualities he seems eager to help others develop as well.
4.    Legacy of Strength and Encouragement: By sharing his story, Ryan’s “why” also appears to involve leaving a legacy that shows others it’s possible to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. His journey is a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of fostering self-belief.

In essence, Ryan’s “why” is multifaceted: it’s a mission to transform himself, build a supportive community, promote mental wellness, and inspire others who need a role model on the same path. His journey is as much about giving back as it is about personal transformation.

Tony’s journey with obesity began in childhood, with his weight becoming an ongoing struggle into his teenage years. During high school, playing sports and working out at the gym helped him achieve a more typical weight and appearance, bringing a sense of normalcy he’d long sought. However, after high school, Tony’s weight began to fluctuate. He cycled through countless fad diets and gym routines, searching for a lasting solution. A severe back injury in 2013 further complicated things, making exercise seem nearly impossible.

At his heaviest, 425 lbs, and facing a growing list of health issues, Tony knew it was time for a life-saving change. He chose to undergo weight loss surgery, a decision that marked a new chapter. Since then, Tony has lost 175 lbs and rediscovered his love for the outdoors, now sharing these cherished experiences with his family.

Social media became a pivotal part of his weight loss journey, opening doors to a supportive community he had not experienced before. This newfound support has helped him maintain his progress as he nears his two-year surgery anniversary. Wanting to give back, Tony began supporting others in the weight loss community, knowing firsthand the difference encouragement can make. Early on, he noticed a significant gap—men’s stories and voices were less visible across the platforms he frequented. He saw a need for a space where men could share their journeys and open up about their experiences.

Tony recognized that support for men at every stage of their weight loss journey is essential for their success. While there are shared challenges between men and women, there are also unique experiences that men may only feel comfortable discussing with other men. Driven by the desire to reach just one person who might feel alone, Tony continues to foster a space for men’s stories, helping the community grow and become more visible.

Rabb’s journey with obesity started in his late 20’s after overcoming his addiction to drugs his transfer addiction slowly moved to food. “As I think back it seemed that I needed to mask the trauma I experienced and food did that for me.” Driving a semi for 15 years and eating to stay awake behind the wheel played a major role in his addiction with food. “I found myself eating because the truck stop food taste amazing not necessarily because I was hungry.”

Rabb made the decision to have Bariatric Bypass RNY May 2023 after being diagnosed with Diabetes, Obesity and severe Sleep Apnea.

Rabb’s purpose is to inspire and guide others on their own journeys toward health and self-empowerment. “After facing the challenges of obesity and the associated physical, emotional, and social struggles, I now understand firsthand the profound impact of weight on well-being.”

“I want to support and motivate others to take courageous steps towards their own health, fostering a community where transformation and wellness are accessible to all who strive for a better life all while providing a story of vulnerability in a space where men can feel comfortable addressing the impact a weight loss journey has in our lives.”

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The Bari Male Experience is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community that promotes brotherhood, unity, acceptance, and leadership among men. Our platform serves as a space where men can share their unique perspectives and experiences, providing a relatable and supportive environment. With over 30% of men in the bariatric community reporting feelings of isolation and 40% seeking support for mental and emotional well-being, we recognize the importance of connection and shared experiences. Through open dialogue and shared stories, we aim to strengthen connections, inspire personal growth, and cultivate a sense of belonging. Together, we are committed to empowering each other to lead fulfilling lives marked by integrity, empathy, and mutual respect.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Collectively while reflecting on their journeys , the three qualities, skills, and knowledge areas that likely had the most impact on them would include:

Accountability and Self-Awareness:

“Learning how to hold accountable was transformative, not only for staying on track but for recognizing patterns in past failures.” This self-awareness allowed you to confront the emotional and mental barriers that often led to setbacks. For others on this journey, embracing self-accountability means acknowledging struggles openly, accepting responsibility, and understanding that progress comes from commitment to oneself. Developing this quality fosters resilience, which is invaluable for anyone striving to overcome long-standing challenges.

2. Discipline and Consistency: A disciplined approach to change—whether it was sticking to new dietary habits, committing to physical activity, or maintaining mental health practices—created a foundation for sustained progress. The real impact comes from the power of small, consistent actions over time. Men looking to improve in this area can start with manageable goals, recognizing that consistent daily efforts yield long-term results.

3. Mental Health and Emotional Resilience: Recognizing the role of mental health was crucial, as overcoming deeply ingrained habits and societal stigma required emotional strength. Developing emotional resilience helped you stay focused, especially during tough days when progress felt slow. Encouraging others to prioritize their mental health can be transformative; understanding that mental well-being is essential to physical health and longevity gives them a powerful mindset to sustain their journey.

For men on similar paths, starting with self-accountability, building small consistent habits, and prioritizing mental health can provide the balance they need to not only improve their physical well-being but also experience a more fulfilling, empowered life.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

We think it’s important to be well rounded and versed in all aspects of our journey rather than just concentrating on one aspect we’re good at. The weight loss journey we are on has many aspects that benefit our journeys as a whole. We need to make sure we stay hydrated, meet our protein and nutritional goals, be sure that we are taking our Bariatric vitamins because of the malabsorption affects of the surgery, making sure we’re mentally strong to whether the ups and downs of a weight-loss journey, and ensuring that we are keeping our bodies active through different forms of physical activity. Without these basic fundamentals of our journey, tipping the balance of just one of these can have adverse effects on our well being.

Contact Info:

  • Instagram: barimaleexperience
  • Facebook: Barimaleexperience
  • Youtube: Bari Male Experience
  • Other: TikTok
    @barimaleexperience

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