With the success of his Imperfectly Perfect Campaign, Glenn Marsden tells of his journey as a mental health advocate in his new book One Man’s Mission To Redefine Imperfection.
Photo credit (Glenn & Jeremy): Bryan Wesley Williams
Can you explain a bit about the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign?
Glenn Marsden: The campaign aims to change the narrative of mental health by dismantling the stigmas. Those that tear at the fabric of society where elemental courtesies for human decency have eroded. Through personal imagery, the campaign shares one story at a time and reshapes the discourse around mental health awareness.
How did it originally come about?
I had turned off from social media because I had been battling with body dysmorphia. I was comparing myself to other people in the fitness industry. As a photographer, I eventually had to get back into social media and discovered an old friend had passed away by taking his life. If we know someone like this, how can we champion them in their battle? In my book One Man’s Mission To Redefine Imperfection, one of the things I discuss is how his story could very well have been mine, if I’d had one moment of clouded judgment.
“When I first shared my story, there were many interested in body dysmorphia, both straight and gay.”
Can you explain a bit more about your body dysmorphia?
I was constantly looking at myself and seeing perceived flaws. Every time I looked in the mirror, I didn’t think I was big enough or that my chest and arms weren’t as aesthetic as the next person’s. But I look back on the images now and see there was nothing wrong with me. The other side of dysmorphia is that some people can’t stand looking at themselves at all and won’t even look in the mirror.
Do you have gay mates who have needed mental health support?
When I first shared my story, there were many interested in body dysmorphia, both straight and gay. The thing is, it’s not from an aspect of self-love but rather self-loathing. I’d lost contact with one particular friend for about three years and when we found each other I discovered he’d disappeared because he was struggling mentally. He was a male model in the gay community with body dysmorphia. We realised we had gone through the same thing.
What led you to write your new book?
I’ve been doing the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign for the last six years now, and it’s had a lot of success. Everybody sees the celebrities and attention, but they don’t see what it takes for the person behind it all. It’s insurmountable, and you have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. My book is about what happens behind the scenes when you have no experience, resources or network and start reaching out to bring people together as a collective. I was reaching out to some of the world’s prolific celebrities, asking them to bare their souls. But there’s a lot of struggle and sacrifice in the journey.
You’ve formed a great friendship with former Baywatch star Jeremy Jackson too.
Yes, when I went to America for the campaign, I went onto social media to connect. The first post that drew my attention was from Jeremy. He was no longer that little boy running around on the beach with David Hasselhoff. He was now a man baring his soul. When I reached out, he said there was something about my sincerity. So, he joined the campaign, and he’s been by my side ever since. He’s my brother from another mother.
Screenshot
What do you hope people will take from reading the book?
It encapsulates a lot from mental health awareness, personal development, spirituality and entrepreneurship. It looks at those spontaneous and serendipitous moments where one important step can lead to another. It explains how we have to try and release control over where we think we’re going.
For more information on Glenn’s book visit: glennmarsden.com
Follow Glenn on Instagram @_glennmarsden
