Meet Ryan Sheldon of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Sheldon

Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is one of self-discovery, struggle, and ultimately, self-acceptance. For much of my life, I felt like I was living in the shadows—not just with my body image issues but also with my identity. I was closeted until I was about 30, carrying the weight of expectations, fear, and societal norms that made me feel like I couldn’t fully be myself.

As early as I can remember, I was silently battling an eating disorder, something rarely talked about among men, let alone gay men. For years, I tried to control my body in a way that I thought would make me more “acceptable.” It wasn’t just about food—it was about self-worth, about trying to fit into a world that often felt like it had no space for me.

The turning point came when I finally decided to stop hiding—from myself, from others, and from the conversations that needed to be had. I came out, I started speaking openly about my struggles with body image and disordered eating. That openness led me to advocacy work with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), where I was working to break the stigma around eating disorders in men and the LGBTQ+ community.

Meanwhile, my career as a brawn model allowed me to push for body diversity and representation in an industry that has long excluded people who look like me. Through media appearances, campaigns, and public speaking, I kept challenging outdated standards of beauty and masculinity.

Then came my book, F*ckboys Are Boring: A Gay Man’s Guide to Dating (For Everyone)*—a brutally honest, funny, and deeply personal take on modern dating. After years of hiding who I was, I wanted to create something that encourages people to embrace their worth, set boundaries, and demand more from love and relationships.

Today, my work spans multiple areas—advocacy, public speaking, content creation, and authorship—but at the heart of it all is the same message: you are enough exactly as you are. Whether I’m talking about body image, dating, or self-acceptance, my goal is always to create space for conversations that matter—especially the ones that, for too long, we’ve been afraid to have.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. My journey has been anything but smooth—but I think that’s what makes it worth telling.

One of the biggest struggles I faced was battling an eating disorder in silence for years. As a man, and especially as a gay man (before I even came out), there was very little conversation around body image issues in men. I felt like I wasn’t “allowed” to struggle with these things, which only made it harder to seek help. It took me a long time to realize that my worth wasn’t tied to the size of my body or the way I looked.

Then there was coming out—arguably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I spent years hiding who I really was, afraid of how people would react. Living that double life took an emotional toll, and even after coming out, there was still a lot of unlearning to do—letting go of shame, rebuilding my confidence, and truly embracing myself.

Professionally, there have been challenges too. Speaking openly about eating disorders and body image in men wasn’t always well received—especially in the beginning, when these conversations weren’t as mainstream. I’ve had to push back against stigma and advocate for space in industries (like fashion and media) that haven’t always made room for people who look like me.

But through all of this, I’ve learned that the struggles are what make the journey meaningful. Every challenge I’ve faced—whether personal or professional—has shaped the work I do today. And if sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone, then it’s all been worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is rooted in advocacy, storytelling, and breaking stigmas. I specialize in speaking about body image, eating disorders in men, and self-acceptance—topics that have historically been overlooked, especially for men and within the LGBTQ+ community. Through public speaking, media appearances, and my work with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), I’ve dedicated my career to opening up conversations that many people are afraid to have.

I’m also a brawn model, using my platform to challenge outdated beauty standards and push for greater body diversity in the fashion industry. Representation matters, and I want people—regardless of size, gender, or background—to see themselves reflected in media and know they are enough as they are.

More recently, I became an author with my book, F*ckboys Are Boring: A Gay Man’s Guide to Dating (For Everyone). It’s a mix of humor, personal stories, and real talk about dating and self-worth. I wrote it because I know what it’s like to settle for less than you deserve, and I wanted to create something that helps people—gay, straight, or otherwise—navigate modern dating with confidence and clarity.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of using my own experiences—the struggles, the lessons, the triumphs—to help others feel seen and understood. Whether it’s through my advocacy work, my book, or simply being open about my journey, knowing that my story has helped even one person feel less alone is the greatest achievement of all.

What Sets Me Apart
I think what sets me apart is my willingness to be vulnerable and real. I don’t just talk about these issues—I’ve lived them. I know what it’s like to struggle with body image, to battle self-doubt, to feel like you don’t belong. And I also know the power of pushing through, of embracing yourself fully, and of using your voice to create change.

At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to challenge stigma, spark conversations, and remind people that they are enough—exactly as they are.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If there’s one thing I want people to take away, it’s that you are not alone. No matter what you’re going through—whether it’s struggles with body image, self-worth, coming out, or navigating relationships—someone out there understands. I spent years thinking I had to figure everything out on my own, but the moment I started sharing my story, I realized how many others had felt the same way.

Sharing your story, no matter how big or small it seems, has the power to change someone else’s life. We never know who needs to hear our words, who might be struggling in silence, or who just needs to feel seen. And that’s why I do what I do—because if even one person feels less alone after hearing my journey, then it’s all been worth it.

So, to anyone reading this: your story matters. Your voice matters. And just by being open and honest, you might be giving someone else the courage to do the same. We’re all just sharing our stories, and sometimes, that’s enough to change the world—one conversation at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theryansheldon.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rysheldon
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryansheldo