Hunk could become 1st Mens Health trans cover model

A transgender man is in the lead to win a competition to become a cover model for an issue of Men’s Health magazine.

Aydian Ethan Dowling, a 27-year-old artist, activist, entrepreneur and fitness trainer from Oregon, currently has over 22,000 votes in the Ultimate Guy Search contest, more than double his nearest competitor.

If he wins he’ll go on to become the first trans man to be featured on the magazine’s cover.

Dowling says on his voting profile page that, “as a transgender male, having a healthy body and mind is my ultimate goal to find peace within my soul. Although I may always have some kind of battle with my body, I continue to work every day for a happy peace within.”

He explains that he keeps fit and healthy with “a body-building style routine, as well as some light cardio.” On his off days he loves to go hiking with his wife of three years, Jenilee.

Dowling says that he gives back to the community through his Collaboration BeefHeads Fitness YouTube channel, geared towards transgender individuals looking to get fit and healthy, as well as personally training other transgender males.

“They have greatly progressed and I feel very proud to see their self confidence grow. I do nothing but support them and show technique, but drive is contagious,” he adds.

Dowling first made a splash in February when he posed for a picture for FTM Magazine in which he recreated singer Adam Levine’s famous 2011 nude Cosmopolitan magazine photo shoot (left).

According to Men’s Health, the Ultimate Guy Search aims to find a “guy who is fit and fearless, a doer who gives back and leads by example.”

You can help Dowling become the first trans Men’s Health cover model by voting for him here. Voting runs until 21 June.