Matt Patterson went from being a sex worker and convicted felon to an advocate for people living with HIV.
Through his experiences, Matt has embraced radical self-love and strives to help others navigate their own challenges with body image.
For Matt, body image has always been closely linked with his identity.
“[I identify] as a pansexual now, but growing up, I thought of myself as gay; there was a high priority in gay culture on looking fit and good, leading to a lot of body shaming,” Matt said.
During a difficult period in his life when he was struggling with substance abuse and homelessness, Matt’s self-esteem was heavily impacted by these societal pressures.
“I placed a high emphasis on body image, especially when I was using substances and was homeless because I made most of my money escorting,” he said. “That led me to use steroids.”
Over time, Matt recognized that pursuing an ideal body led him down a path of self-destructive behavior. Today, he emphasizes the importance of balancing self-care with self-acceptance.
“I still go to the gym, but I can’t be so rigid that it becomes an obsession,” Matt said.
He acknowledges that societal standards of beauty are changing.
“Gay culture is expanding, and the spectrum has gotten bigger, so I think it is better now,” he said.
Navigating societal expectations around body image has been a transformative experience for Matt. He shares insights from his journey of self-improvement.
“I’m in 12-step programs where we focus on building self-esteem through self-sustaining acts,” Matt said. “Beauty fades, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don’t want to be cut or dry about it. The work has to be done on the inside; I have to like me for me, imperfections and everything.”
Matt’s approach to self-care has evolved significantly.
“I don’t exercise anymore to make sure I look a certain way or diet to look a certain way. I think about what is healthy. I enjoy life and splurge a lot,” he said.
He also highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people and engaging in activities that foster a positive self-image.
“Volunteering has been helpful for me. I serve breakfast at a soup kitchen, which shows me that there are bigger problems than what I look like,” Matt said.
In his view, self-acceptance involves recognizing one’s worth beyond physical appearance.
“What other people think about me is none of my business,” he said.
This perspective has helped him navigate moments of self-doubt and criticism, both from himself and others.
“There is my business and not my business,” he said. “I beat up myself the most when I’m by myself.”
Looking to the future, Matt is optimistic about the progress being made in body image awareness.
“I think we’ve been moving in the right direction,” he said. “The interest in body image issues has been helpful, and we can be more open about these topics.”
He also emphasizes the importance of having conversations about health and identity, including the realities of living with HIV.
“Starving yourself to fit into a bathing suit is less important than surviving,” Matt said. “As much as we move forward, there is still work to do.”
Matt encourages others to embrace their unique journey.
“Everything someone says has more to do with them than it has to do with you,” said Matt.
His message is clear: “If you are in the room, you belong there.”
Matt Patterson is 36 years old. He graduated from FAU with a bachelor’s of social work in 2021; a master’s of social work in 2022; a master’s of nonprofit management in 2024; and is currently working on his PhD in public administration. He is the Director of Contracts and Performance Management at Broward House, a nonprofit in Wilton Manors and Fort Lauderdale.
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This story is for OutFAU, our student publication covering Florida Atlantic University. To see more from OutFAU click here.
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