Aydian Dowling, the trans model and bodybuilder is a runner up in the Men’s Health Ultimate Guy competition. Dowling traveled to New York in August for a photo shoot as one of five finalists in the Men’s Health cover competition.
Tim Boniface, a firefighter from Kentucky won the competition. The four other finalists—Omari Gray, Danny Farrar, Dowling and Adam Wheeler—impressed and inspired the judges during their visit. Dowling overwhelmingly won the the readers vote, and as a transgender man his candidacy cast a fresh light on the contest.
“Aydian got us thinking about what it means to be a man in 2015,” Men’s Health Editor-in-Chief Bill Phillips said. “He’s become a leading voice of the transgender community and we feel privileged to share his story and to count him as a member of the Men’s Health family.”
“The truth is, any one of these men could be on the cover of Men’s Health. They all possess the qualities of an ultimate Men’s Health guy,” Phillips said to host Willie Geist during an appearance on this morning’s Today on NBC. before the selection was announced. “They define success on their own terms. They give back to their communities. They all express courage. All five of the men are amazing and they each expressed courage in their own way.”
A commemorative cover, with all five finalists, will be available this week.
Congratulations to Boniface, Dowling and all the finalists.
