Aydian Dowling could be first transgender man to feature on cover of Men’s Health
WITH bulging biceps, washboard abs and artfully sculpted facial hair, Aydian Dowling is every inch the cover model.
The 27-year-old fitness vlogger and clothing designer is blitzing a competition to become the next Men’s Health Ultimate Guy — racking up nearly 30,000 votes compared to 8600 for his closest competitor.
If he wins, it would be a world first for the transgender man born female in Long Island, New York.
“It’s overwhelming, it’s really awesome” Aydian told news.com.au from Oregon where the man behind Point5cc clothing lives with his wife, Jenilee.
“There’s been tonnes and tonnes of support and likes and shares and reposts. It’s been crazy,” he said of the competition that he applied for on a whim after being encouraged by fans of his YouTube channel.
“I asked some people to share it and I don’t know, it just kind of blew up. Next thing I know I was being reposted and shared on Tumblr by people who have a lot of followers.”
It's a massive leap for someone who came out as a lesbian to friends at 13 and publicly at 17. However by age 20 Aydian said he noticed “something else” going on.
“I pretty much was asked by an ex if I ever thought of being a man … Once I got home I started Googling it and I was just blown away.”
While there was limited information online at the time he came across pictures of “grown-ass men holding pictures of little girls and they were claiming they were the same person.”
“Once I found out that was even possible that’s all I could focus on. I knew that’s what I had to be, that’s what I had do to”
He started A Lions Fears on YouTube to build a community and document his transformation. Five years and 300 videos later he has millions of followers who have watched him turn into a masculine powerhouse with an unexpected side effect — learning to love your body.
“I was always into sports growing up … I knew if I went to the gym I could try to match the masculine soul I have. I started training and I fell in love — you’re in front of a mirror to make sure you’re doing exercise correctly. You start to build a relationship with your body — you start to recognise that’s your body in the mirror.”
“That really helped me relearn how I was on the outside then as I started training and physically changing in front of my eyes. If I wanted to be masculine I could be it, I just had to put in the work.”
He now has hormone replacement therapy injections once a week and has had “top” surgery to remove breast tissue. The next step would be to have a hysterectomy although further surgery depends on insurance companies coming to the party.
Nowadays, Aydian has become an icon himself, getting “tonnes” of emails each week from people looking for inspiration and guidance.
His profile received a boost after recreating a famous shot of Adam Levine for FTM magazine and he’s now in prime position to become the “Ultimate Guy”, someone who is “fit and fearless, a doer who gives back and leads by example”.
Men’s Health Judges have the final say in the competition. A spokesman for the company said Aydian has seen a surge in votes in the last 24 hours and the competition is “open to all men” with final selection based on a range of criteria.
While the overwhelming response has been positive, it hasn’t all be smooth sailing. Aydian said he has received some negative comments but tries to focus on the positives and educating people about his transition.
And as for his wife? Aydian said she loves the idea of having a cover model for a husband.
“We grew up in an era of teen pop and NSync and New Kids On The Block. She’s getting to live out teen fantasies of dating the man on pullout poster, she’s thoroughly enjoying it.”
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/aydian-dowling-could-be-first-transgender-man-to-feature-on-cover-of-mens-health/story-fneszs56-1227305977483
