Men's Health UK - December 2021

A PROBLEM-SOLVER,
RENNER FACES
OBSTACLES WITH
PRAGMATISM

T-SHIRT BY JASON SCOTT; JEANS BY POLO RALPH LAUREN; BOOTS BY FRYE; BLACK BAY CERAMIC WATCH BY TUDOR in Atlanta concluded, Renner went directly his fears. ‘For 10 years,’ he says, ‘I did with his problem-solving mindset,
arriving at solutions perfect or
to Toronto to film Mayor Of Kingstown, which something every day I was afraid of.’ otherwise. ‘I forced myself to do these
things to get me to overcome the fears,
reunited him with Taylor Sheridan, who wrote The sheer length of the project speaks doing all these things every day,’ he
says. ‘The through line of it all, I was
and directed Wind River and brought the to its scale. ‘I’m an overachiever. I guess just afraid of the things I did not know.
That’s it. As soon as I got educated,’
melodrama to Montana as one of the creators I had a lot of fears. But not any more.’ Renner says as he opens his hands,
‘poof. They lost their power over me.’
of Yellowstone. Renner plays the title role of It began with taking an honest
It’s not that he doesn’t have a
Mike McLusky, who oversees a crime family and assessment of himself and cataloguing fight-or-flight reaction when facing
a great white. It’s that Renner knows
city hall in the fictional Kingstown, Michigan. It what frightened him. Some phobias what he should do. He can activate his
fluid-pragmatist mode. ‘Yeah, there’s
tackles some heavy themes (systemic were external still healthy fear,’ he explains, ‘but I’m
(the fear of sharks), not paralysed by any fears I do have.
racism, corruption and inequality ‘I was just afraid of They don’t stop me from any decisions
in the criminal justice system) and the things I did not others internal (the I make.’ He nods as if considering the
reveals plenty of personal demons. know. As soon as I got fears of success and meaning of his statement for the first
intimacy) – ‘things time, then smiles. ‘I will make my own
The actor finds that immersing bad decisions without fear, okay?’
Renner says, scanning the restaurant
himself in darker roles such as educated, they lost that take a little time for a waiter. ‘Tequila, please!’
to work out.’
McLusky has a cleansing effect.
As he tells it,
their power over me’‘I don’t negate my negative feelings.

I live in my emotions. With all these ‘I became a master

characters I’ve played, you get to dump a lot of diver because I wanted to overcome

that toxic shit. So I get pretty balanced and light.’ my fear of sharks.’ To conquer his

He adds, ‘I work very hard not to have fear and ego anxiety over rejection, he made himself

in my life.’ It becomes clear that ever since he ask out a woman at a bar for the first

started acting, he has been working on a single time. Other fears challenged him to

renovation, stripping Jeremy Renner down to the dig deeper, ‘into the nine layers of the

joists. The demolition phase entailed exorcising subconscious’. It was often a non-linear

process, but one he attacked constantly

MEN’S HEALTH 51



Good health starts up top

GRAB SOME TISSUES
AND GO WATCH THE
END OF TOY STORY 3

Boys are taught not to cry – but men should. Not only is it healthy and cathartic, it
can strengthen your relationships, too. Embrace the science of bawling well

WORDS BY K J MCCANDLESS

MEN’S HEALTH 53

Head Our Sorry State Bawl PHOTOGRAPHY: ADAM VOORHES/GALLERY STOCK. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
Strong So IMAGES. *SOURCES: EMOTION; CROSS-CULTURAL RESEARCH
There’s no clear evidence that crying
S has many psychological or physiological Hard
tepping up benefits. One of the most recent studies*
to the podium this past August, where on the benefits of crying isn’t all that Meet the guys
he was about to announce that he was compelling. Researchers predicted that helping to make
leaving his beloved FC Barcelona – the participants who cried might be able to crying in public
only club he’d ever played for at senior withstand a stressful task longer than
level – football legend Lionel Messi took those who weren’t crying, or recover mainstream
off his mask to reveal a face in mid-weep. faster from the initial stressor. The
As his wife and children, his teammates, research suggested merely that heart Prince Harry
the media and millions of people rate decelerates just before crying and
watching the livestream looked on, that it returns to normal during the cry. The woke-ish royal
Messi’s brain hijacked a carefully- That’s your autonomic nervous system isn’t a fan of the stiff
staged farewell event. He wept. keeping things stable. upper lip, shedding
For Messi – likely due to some tears at his wedding
combination of the memories, the Some scientists suggest that crying and when discussing
hopes for the future, the people in the – sobbing especially – can be cathartic what it means to him
room, the city – it was all too much. So because taking in big breaths might
his brain went into action: his amygdala, increase activity in the parasympathetic to be a parent.
the brain’s emotional centre, sent a set nervous system. But their assertions are
of strong signals to his hypothalamus, always peppered with ‘might’ and ‘seem’. Don Lemon
the pea-sized structure responsible for We know more about how animals
maintaining stability during times of express distress than how humans do. Stoic CNN news
stress, which then activated the branch anchor Lemon was
of the autonomic nervous system that’s In short: there’s just not a lot to back moved to tears on
responsible for the body’s response to up the idea that crying makes our live television when
stress. Parasympathetic receptors that bodies work or feel better. Socially and
connect to Messi’s tear ducts engaged, psychologically, it can. But perhaps a watching images
and it was all over. greater benefit can come if you listen to of a police officer’s
For two minutes, lacrimal fluid what it’s really telling you.
streamed from his eyes as he approached heroic actions
and retreated from the dais. It flooded And it might make us feel worse; during the Capitol
his sinuses and streamed out of his nose. not all crying is good. Crying in a tough
Although he expressed no words, the meeting at work can lead to feelings of riots in January.
message to his fellow Homo sapiens embarrassment, even if it reinforces
was clear: he was overwhelmed. your humanity to your colleagues. (Some researchers think there could
Many men were taught to see crying be a simpler explanation: women have
as weak, embarrassing, pathetic – that One thing we do know, however, is shallower tear ducts, so they quite
crying somehow minimises us. But that when you cry, your body engages simply fill up faster.)
think about it like this: crying is the in one of the most elemental human
fullest emotional expression. It takes responses to stress – something you Gender aside, who cries and when
your whole brain to produce it and your were doing from literally the first few may depend on your culture.
whole body – your wet eyes, your runny seconds after you were born.
nose, your slumped shoulders, your In a 2011 study*, researchers found
vocalisations – to carry it out. When we For Dr Philip Gable, a University of that ‘individuals living in more
cry, we’re sending an undeniable and Delaware professor focused on how affluent, democratic, extroverted
unmistakable message that men rarely emotions influence our thoughts, and individualistic countries tend
send: we’re dealing with too much. crying is not all that much different to report that they cry more often’.
Crying is – well, it’s a lot. We’re not from any other expression of emotion.
smaller when we cry. We’re bigger. ‘There’s no sadness centre of the brain. However, the difference lies not in
Some types of sadness may activate suffering but in freedom of expression.
54 MEN’S HEALTH certain centres, but we’re really In cultures where tearful crying is
whole-brain people. So when you have less common, crying seems to be
an emotional experience, it’s largely connected to distress. In countries
activating huge areas in the brain.’ like the UK or US, where it’s more
common, crying seems to indicate
You may cry, you may smile. You may personality and expressiveness.
cry and smile at the same time. Emotions
are expressed because they’re too For instance, the tears that Obama
overwhelming for the brain. shed at various times in his presidency
– from listening to Aretha Franklin
Women seem to be better at this type sing at the Kennedy Center Honors
of expression. Or at least they engage in to speaking about gun control – were
it more frequently, as several studies widely seen as indicators of emotional
have found. But researchers aren’t sure depth, not helplessness.
why. It might be explained by hormones,
in that testosterone might inhibit crying.

Lionel Messi The Art of Crying

At the press goes undetected – but that’s probably
conference better than repressing tears when you
announcing his have them, Dr Brown says. ‘I’ve cried
departure from many times during yoga class – it’s hot,
Barcelona, the club dark and sweaty. When they brighten
he’d played for since the lights at the end, no one knows,
age 13, the soccer and I always feel better.’
icon shed tears
like he normally The Weep Test
sheds defenders.
And what if you’re cry resistant?
Tom Daley Researchers don’t know why some
people tend to cry and some people
The Olympic diver don’t. It could be social stigma; it could
wept on the podium be hormones. Perhaps you just find
after winning a gold something like talking more useful
medal in Tokyo with when it comes to processing the
diving partner Matty feelings that arise.
Lee – after 13 years of
effort. It was one of It’s such a fundamental expression
the standout images of emotion that there may not be a way
of the Games. to get ‘better’ at crying, though you
can certainly create optimal conditions
Michael for it. The important thing isn’t really
Jordan the crying; what’s important is paying
attention to what you’re feeling
So prolific a crier whenever you express emotion,
that he has his own however you express it.
tear-streamed meme
face. We’ve seen MJ But let’s try to cry anyway. Here’s
cry with joy at winning an activity: go watch the end of Toy
an NBA title and with Story 3 right now. Field of Dreams
grief when speaking will also work. Maybe that Apple advert
at the memorial for where the old farmer finds his iPhone
Kobe Bryant. in a haystack. (Take your time – we’ll
find you some tissues.)
A Cry for Help help.’ And we’re generally wired
Now cry. Just let go.
As a group of researchers put it in their to help. Tearful expression of emotion Note that it’s not the music or
images that are making you cry.
2018 paper in Clinical Autonomic tends to elicit powerful feelings that They’re just triggers for emotions
that your brain might not know how
Research: ‘Until recently, the focus has compel us to console. For the crier, it’s to express linguistically.
Now try to figure out what made you
been on the intrapersonal effects of this an opportunity to embrace (and identify) weep. Men’s Health has talked to a lot
of therapists over the years, and one
behaviour (ie, the effects ‘Crying is not only the emotions that thing they consistently say is that for
of crying on the crying expressing how trigger the tears, but also the many people, especially men, the
individual him or herself). we feel in a way sympathy, kindness, and challenge isn’t always identifying
But research suggests that closeness they invite. emotions; it’s identifying that you’re
the possible mood benefits even experiencing an emotion in the
This isn’t always the case, first instance. Crying requires you to
acknowledge you’re feeling something.
words never could’of crying for the crier depend of course. ‘If we know there It forces you to confront that reality.
No emotion, no crying.
to a great extent on how are cultural restrictions or Now take it one step further. Are
you feeling sad, happy or angry? What
observers react to the tears.’ stereotypical beliefs or people we really are you thinking about? A relative?
A friend? A traumatic moment? Crying
As humans, we’re very good at love who we know just won’t get it, there doesn’t offer many clues; crying is more
simplistic than that. It’s up to us to figure
masking our feelings, until we’re not. are still places where it’s more acceptable out the why – and what an opportunity.

Tears are the ultimate tell. Unless you’re to cry – such as in a therapist’s office, for MEN’S HEALTH 55

an actor, you have a hard time producing example,’ says mental health psychiatry

tears. It requires real feeling to do that. advisor Dr Gregory Brown. ‘One of my

And that’s a powerful message, says first therapy patients wouldn’t allow

Dr Gable. ‘There are thousands of himself to cry around his wife – it made

languages all over the planet, but we her feel uncomfortable. But he did allow

have very few emotional expression himself to cry around me, and that

differences... Crying is a way of made him feel better. I see that a lot

expressing how we’re feeling more with my male patients.’

clearly than words ever could.’ The You’ll be skipping the social benefits

subtext of that expression is ‘I need if you cry alone – or in a place where it

Head
Strong

One man’s secret to a dizzyingly
complex medical condition?

Accept the things you can’t control
– then do your best to embrace it

WORDS BY DREW MAGARY

T his is a story that begins controls nausea – not a nerve you want get the spins? Vertigo), or from your PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES
with me dying. On the to piss off – may have been damaged salt intake, or from an errant football
night of 5 December 2018, when I fell and was perhaps the culprit. hitting you in the noggin. You can get
I collapsed in a hallway with I asked him what to do. He said the vertigo from a naturally occurring
no warning or medical explanation, not vertigo might ease with time and the vitamin D deficiency. Or in my case,
even to this day. I fractured my skull in physical therapy (PT) I was doing after you can get vertigo from suffering
three places and suffered a massive my collapse. And he was correct. a massive concussion; fracturing the
brain haemorrhage. I was in a coma for temporal bone in your skull; having
two weeks, in the rehab ward for three What he didn’t tell me was that, over that fracture shear your inner ear,
more, and then I needed more than time, I would get to know my vertigo so which helps control balance, in half;
a year to recover at home. That’s the well that I not only liked it, I welcomed and sustaining brain damage. All in one
short version. A longer version exists it when it arrived. go. Any of those injuries, when isolated,
in the form of a memoir that’s out now, can trigger it. When combined, they
The Night The Lights Went Out. But for All In A Spin give me a sensation of vertigo that may
this little exercise, let’s just go with the be as unique to me as my fingerprints.
elevator pitch: I died, then I came back. Before I explain how that came to be,
I have to describe vertigo first. If you’ve Someone who experiences vertigo
Although not without a few souvenirs never suffered from this – or more may not know they have it until they’ve
for my trouble. Most of them remain accurately, if you’ve never been able to visited several different specialists.
with me to this day. There are the scars, correctly identify the times you already Because it presents in so many ways
of course. There’s my deafened right have – you may know it only in the and has so many potential origins,
ear. There’s my sense of smell, which metaphorical sense. That’s actually getting a proper diagnosis may require
I lost when I fell, likely for good. And useful for our purposes, because just a lot of testing and a trip to a specialist.
then… there’s the vertigo. as vertigo has more than a few poetic
connotations, the real deal also spans ‘There is no pill,’ says Dr Maura
I didn’t know vertigo was coming for a wide range of medical fields, clinical Cosetti, who heads the Ear Institute
me, though I didn’t know any of this definitions, severities and root causes.
was before my accident. The first time
I felt it was months after I had left the ‘It’s not a disease,’ Iris Cohen, a senior
hospital. I turned on my side in bed, and audiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in
something about that turn displeased Manhattan, told me. Vertigo, Cohen said,
my body. It punished me with a dose of is a symptom. And it can be a symptom
sudden, violent nausea that was gone of many different conditions. Vertigo
in less than a second, followed by is commonly caused by inner-ear
another brief moment in which my trouble. One of the most well-known
sense of gravity fell away and I came causes is when the crystals in your ears’
unmoored: floating without floating. semicircular canals are knocked out
of place. I’m not going all spiritual guru
Then the vertigo passed, and I was on you by bringing crystals into the
simply a man trying to fall asleep again. equation here. The crystals are real,
I went to my neuro-rehab doctor and and you don’t want them fucked with.
explained the sensation to him. He told
me that the nerve in my brain that But even if your crystal game is
sound, you can still get vertigo from an
infection or from being very drunk (ever

56 MEN’S HEALTH

Balancing Act

or two. The first wave feels like a gentle
spin, the second like a plunge. And I’ve
learned that if I can just relax and let
the one-two combo hit me, I will drift
right off to sleep.

Holding Your Ground

The famous staircase scene from Alfred

Hitchcock’s 1958 classic Vertigo does

a fair job of conveying the sensation it

can inflict upon you, but it’s still not my

vertigo. Mine is a kind that only I can

experience and, therefore, only I can

know. But knowing the blueprint is

helpful from a psychological

standpoint and as part of the treatment.

‘There are some patients who will

come to see me even before they have

a full-blown vertigo attack because

they could sense something does not

feel right in their ear.’ That’s Dr

Enrique Perez, a neurotologist and an

assistant

People will tell professor of
otolaryngology
you, ‘I know my at Mount Sinai.

OUR WRITER PUTS body’, but that’s I, too, can feel
A POSITIVE SPIN ON AN when my little
UNUSUAL CONDITION a lie. Your body dreamland
vertigo attack
keeps secrets is about to
– many of them strike. In fact,
I get oddly

excited for it to arrive. And while that

excitement may scan as the sentiment

of a closet masochist, I’ll have you

at Mount Sinai. ‘This is of vertigo. Some of these cases can be know that it actually means I have
a very difficult concept debilitating. They can last hours. Days,
for patients. And for even. And the nausea they trigger can, a kick-ass attitude and that my brain is
physicians, in fact.’ if you’re unlucky, be fully consummated
in multiple rounds of vomiting. leading the vertigo, rather than the
There are prescription
medicines such as In rare cases, some people with other way around.
meclizine that purport aggressive BPPV have to avoid certain
positions entirely, be they lying down Why? The experience of vestibular
to control vertigo, but Dr or upright, all the way to the grave. But
Cosetti notes that those meds are often despite everything that I suffered from therapy, according to Dr Perez, is ‘almost
ineffective, especially when they aren’t my accident, the vertigo fairy was
combined with physical therapy and shockingly gentle on me. I never threw like exercising your cerebellum and your
when the underlying causes of your up. I never got it while standing up. The
vertigo are left untreated. more I recovered – doing the PT and vestibular centres to process your place
rehab work that treated my big-ticket
I never took any drugs for vertigo. problems – the more my BPPV settled, in space. Over time, that allows you to
I was never prescribed them, because until, a year and a half after my
vertigo was far down on the triage list haemorrhage, a wrong turn in bed start compensating for perhaps a fixed
when it came to my recovery. I was didn’t trigger the nauseating rush at all.
experiencing, at least in the beginning, vestibular loss.’ And I am compensating.
what’s known as benign paroxysmal Eventually, my symptoms became
positional vertigo or BPPV. This is another kind of vertigo, and here is I am processing my place in space. I have
merely one species in the greater where a pattern formed that persists
phylum of vertigo. There are others, to this day. I lie down to sleep. After a slightly better handle on what that
including Ménière’s disease, central a while, the vertigo hits in two waves,
vertigo and vestibular migraines, each one lasting no more than a second place is now that my brain exploded.
which can manifest with symptoms
And thanks (yes, thanks) to the vertigo,

I know that place is not sedentary. It

can move. But I can move, too.

People will tell you, ‘I know my

body’, but that’s a lie. Your body keeps

secrets from you. Many of them.

Vertigo is one such secret. But now that

my vertigo has been exposed, I’ll be

ready the next time the ground

disappears out from underneath me.

MEN’S HEALTH 57



6am IQBAL CARVES OUT TIME 6.30pm
TO RESET AND REFOCUS
Down A Pint Make Dinner
11am 2pm An Event
Iqbal drinks a glass of water
first thing in the morning. Reboot At Lunch Sit, Stand, Sit Early evening is dedicated
He says that improving his to his wife and two kids.
hydration ‘has been a game Iqbal favours smaller meals If he can, Iqbal works and That means the phone, the
changer – it’s helped me stay throughout the day. Still, he even eats standing. Along emails, the watch – all of it
lean, kept my skin clean and tries to block out 30 minutes with drinking plenty of water, gets shut off again. ‘When
helped me stay healthy’. around 11am for a quick, investing in a standing desk you carve out that time
With such a busy schedule, early lunch. ‘I love to use that has been life-changing, he either for yourself or for
Iqbal makes drinking regular break to reset. I’m catching says. Now he has more energy. your family, you have to
glasses of water the day’s up on news, I’m watching Still, he needs reminders, commit to it,’ Iqbal says.
one constant. He aims for sports highlights – anything especially when working To make that happen, his
30ml per pound of his body that’s not work-related.’ from home equals fewer wife organises dinners into
weight. ‘It’s not a goal that Iqbal’s food rules: nothing upright hours commuting. themes, such as pizza night
I explicitly measure, but I do too starchy, nothing fried or ‘I use the stand reminder (but a modified version:
count how many times I fill high in saturated fats, and notification on my Apple low-fat cheese, gluten-free
up my [700ml] water bottle.’ minimal added sugars. He watch.’ Once he’s up, he crust) and taco night.
A good day is six refills. likes the efficiency of grain tends to stay up – and
stay focused. 9.30pm
7.30am
Boss Your Evening
Break A Sweat
After watching Netflix with
Whether he’s at home in his wife, Iqbal devotes an
Virginia, US, or halfway hour and a half to himself. He
across the world in China, addresses his personal to-do
Iqbal begins his day with list: writing, checking in with
30 minutes of strength his teams overseas, prepping
training and 45 minutes for the next day. He says it
of cardio. (Exercising is also helps to work in a part of the
how he beats jet lag.) ‘I like house that’s different from
to go into my workout with where he was in the morning.
intention,’ he explains. ‘I ‘If you have the luxury of
want to make sure that when another room, that’s really
I’m working out, I’m there.’ helpful to reset and refocus.’
That’s why he disconnects. He’s in bed by midnight.
No calling, no emailing.
MEN’S HEALTH 59





The

62 MEN’S HEALTH

It’s been a tough couple of years for gyms.
But the fitness industry is tougher – as these

innovators and risk-takers have proved.
Looking for a new training space to call
home? Here are our top spots – and what
they tell us about the shape of things to come

WORDS BY
SCARLETT WRENCH

In Britain 2022

MEN’S HEALTH 63

01 The ability to transfer your
training from weights room

There’s an argument The Future to living room is indispensable
that 20 March 2020 for those with a busy, varied
– the day the gyms schedule (most of us, then).
closed – changed the Is Hybrid These quick-thinking gyms
fitness industry didn’t miss a rep
irrevocably. But perhaps
it was more of a catalyst: GET A BEASTING IN
a switching-up of gears A BEAUTIFUL SETTING
on progress that was
already in motion. Away Third Space OR TRY THIS
from the IG Lives, the
weekend Zoom classes London The Foundry
and the experimental
podcast launches, So named because its the gym chain proved it’s London
many trainers spent gyms offer a haven away from more than just a pretty
the various lockdowns your ‘first’ and ‘second’ space with the launch of It’s the gym ‘where the strong
working furiously to spaces (home and office – a comprehensive virtual belong’, as the slogan goes, but in
overhaul their offerings these days one and the same). training programme. recent months, many of the strong
for the post-Covid world. Designed with the WFH have been training at home,
When you can get away crowd in mind, its app without the Atlas stones, tractor
Concerns about from your desk, its seven includes an extensive library tyres and prowler sleds they’ve
hygiene? Private PT London venues offer both of more than 500 fitness come to know and love/hate.
areas and open-air luxury – UV-purified classes, led by the gym’s top
class spaces would take pools, steam rooms, fluffy trainers, including shorter Maintaining the ‘belonging’
care of that. Isolated towels – and a take-no- ‘express’ workouts for those part was never a problem for the
home-workers? Social prisoners training ethos, between-Slack-call breaks. gym’s team, who were streaming
meet-ups and team encompassing everything Recreating the luxury spa classes on Instagram by the first
throwdowns could from HIIT to martial arts. experience at home might day of the first lockdown. The
rebuild a sense of pose more of a challenge. Foundry quickly assembled
kinship. Newly flexible But when its saunas and a comprehensive schedule of
weekday schedules? spin studios shut last year, virtual workouts, replicating the
Less proscriptive energy and camaraderie of its
membership options in-person classes. Now the
and added virtual chain operates a permanent
workouts could make
fitting in a sweat
session simpler.

As a result, many
gyms have moved
through the pandemic
not just surviving, but
thriving. Many are now
bigger, bolder and
better than ever before
– none more so than
those on these pages.
Let’s call it a comeback.

64 MEN’S HEALTH

02 Action Stations
Boutiques THREE BOXES FOR
Built Better YOUR WISH LIST

Pay-as-you-go gyms have always offered a There’s no denying it:
commitment-free way to get your fitness fix. CrossFit’s on the up-and-
But now many are offering far more than just up. Here are four of the
45 minutes of feeling the burn in a basement UK’s best venues

01/ CrossFit BFG, Leicester
Owned by the UK’s Fittest Man
and former MH cover star,
Zack George. Come here to
be pushed. Would you expect
any less from a man whose
favourite move is the thruster?

A MORE SOCIAL WAY
TO BREAK A SWEAT

app-based fitness platform, Barry’s OR TRY THIS 02/ Train Heald Green,
offering hundreds of gains- Manchester
delivering workouts spanning London, Manchester Camden The original Train gym was
strength, conditioning, core Boxing Club open by CrossFit legend
and mobility, plus guidance Since dropping the Sam Briggs, but despite
on nutrition and running. ‘Bootcamp’, global fitness London its elite origins, this box
phenomenon Barry’s prides itself on catering to
Or drop in to one of The has been on a mission to Pay-per-class isn’t limited to all levels – including yours.
Foundry’s three gyms for a prove that it’s more than cardio beastings with a nightclub
Sweat class with director Laura a walk-in calorie furnace. aesthetic. Opened in September, 03/ CrossFit Putney,
‘Biceps’ Hoggins – and expect this Camden studio is big sister London
to be wringing out your tank Far from being dissuaded to Fitzrovia’s Rathbone Boxing This box does more than
top by the end of it. by the pandemic, UK co- Club and shares its mix of grit just CrossFit, offering
founder Sandy Macaskill and authenticity with the a holistic array of classes
says it helped him realise comfort of a high-end boutique. including strength and
that the gym is more conditioning and yoga, with
important than ever. It is, however, in a higher an on-site Livewell clinic.
weight class. The second Boxing
Back in 2019, Barry’s Club has expanded to include MEN’S HEALTH 65
introduced mental two rings, two group class zones
health first-aid training and a dedicated self-training
for its instructors as a area with all the bags, weights
way to help them better and cardio kit aspiring AJs
support members and spot and Furys could need. The less
signs of (non-dumbbell gritty stuff? A steam room,
related) struggle. sauna, on-site cafe and
a Hum2n treatment room.
Last year, it put those
tools to work through its
‘In My Head’ scheme, which
encouraged anyone feeling
isolated to call for a chat,
as well as running PE-style
classes for kids.

03
Health Tech,
Turbocharged

Tomorrow’s gym is not a mere gym at all, but a fully
loaded wellness playground, promising to reboot
your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing

GSQUARED RUNS RINGS
ROUND THE COMPETITION

GROW YOUR SKILL
SET ON THE FARM

GSquared ‘fitness’ side of things is 04 A Breath
catered for, too, with a Of Fresh Air
Manchester comprehensive gym set-up,
plus added bonuses such Outdoor training is hotter than ever (even
Hidden below Manchester’s as an indoor running track in this weather), after lockdowns got us
Royal Exchange Theatre, and soundproof sleep pods
this newly opened health – handy if that last circuit used to sweating outside. These innovators
club prides itself on offering really finished you off. Want do more than dumbbells in the park
what’s possibly the most to test the strength you’ve
extensive introductory built? Try GSquared’s mini
assessment ever thought up. marine-style assault course,
This includes digging into complete with monkey bars,
your posture, movement, ropes and a climbing wall.
muscular imbalances, spinal
alignment and metabolic Farm Fitness with strongman-style
‘type’, as well as a turn in training. Plus a dash of
the BodPod: a sci-fi-looking Essex bodybuilding, just for fun.
egg-shaped device that
delivers accurate data on Fancy an escape to the Friendly competition has
body composition. country? This does-it-all always been central for Farm
open-air gym was installed Fitness, which often hosts
Owner Andy McGlynn on founder Tom Kemp’s throwdowns and comps
was keen that the site cater family farm, with a sharp (including Britain’s Fittest
as much to the holistic as the focus on functionality, Farmer). These were
high-intensity – pertinent at blending endurance growing in popularity even
a time when the ‘health’ part
of health and fitness feels
more pressing than ever. The

66 MEN’S HEALTH

Action Stations

05 Future
Cult Hero

It’s been a turbulent year for the sport of
fitness, but this CrossFit box has come out
(kipping) swinging with a want-to-be-seen-in
clothing range – and the odd celebrity guest

WIT LIVES UP
TO ITS HYPE

before the social wasteland OR TRY THIS Whatever It Takes building bodies. The
that was 2020, but now (WIT) WIT team also took the
Kemp is on a mission to help Brixton Street Gym opportunity to transform
his community flourish, London their flagship store, creating
with more space, a bar area London extra space for PT sessions,
and a busier calendar. It’s commonplace, now, offering more members a
The first iteration of the south for gyms to flog merch from chance to learn the ropes
For those who also enjoy London gym was built by the front desk. But WIT and bars before throwing
training in the, um, great volunteers in a converted loading turned this model on its themselves into a class.
indoors, Kemp and team bay. Founder and calisthenics head, starting out as a (New to the game? ‘WIT
are building Farm Fitness fanatic Terroll Lewis wanted to hype-generating sportswear HIT’ is aimed at beginners,
Urban, working alongside provide an accessible training pop-up before opening the with tutoring on moves
local ecologists to ensure space for the local community doors to its shop-cum-gym and techniques.)
the new space is green in – cheap day rates, cash accepted. in 2018. Since then – much
all senses. Expect a ‘living’ In 2019, it found a new, improved like the gym’s members –  But the highlight is WIT’s
grass roof – which insulates home in Brixton: more space, new it’s only grown stronger. social calendar: on Thursday
the building, as well as equipment and a class roster nights, it hosts community
looking cool – added cycle that encompasses everything Last year, when many of events with drop-in speakers
racks to encourage car- from circuit training and us were resorting to burpees and team experiences.
free travel, and gym handstand tutorials to boxing, in the hallway (whatever it Recent guests have included
features constructed Muay Thai and kids’ classes. takes, right?), WIT released CrossFit legend Sara
from recycled materials. more than 100 free video Sigmundsdóttir and Hyrox
Its impressive outdoor yard workouts, hosted by the champion Hunter McIntyre.
space is kitted out with battle gym’s athletes and coaches
ropes, tractor tyres, prowler – including head of training
sleds and pull-up bars – pretty Gus Vaz Tostes, who believes
much everything you might need in ‘changing lives’, not just
to give your body a serious
beasting. You won’t feel the chill.

MEN’S HEALTH 67

06 The Mental Gym-goers know fitness THREE CLASSES
can be transformative for WORTH A DROP-IN

Health Champions mental wellbeing: a fact Can’t commit to a full
these programmes put membership in this age
front and centre of uncertainty? Then,
test-drive one of these

01/ Climb To The Beat at
BXR with Faisal Abdalla
Admit it: you never really push
yourself with those YouTube
HIIT classes. This punishing
45-minute VersaClimber
session with Mr Positive
Mental Attitude will leave
you with nowhere to hide.

Move TUNE UP YOUR MIND, 02/ Action: Upper Body
Forward Gym AS WELL AS YOUR BODY at Rowbots with
Hendrick Famutimi
Exeter OR TRY THIS There are few better full-body
workouts than rowing. This class
To some, the fitness venues across the UK. So far, Gymnasium blends endurance work with
industry can seem focused Britton and his team have upper-body strength training.
on helping the already very helped more than 100 people. London ‘Superman’ Famutimi has the
well get even weller. This biceps to prove his methods work.
did not escape Scott Britton, Move Forward is also This strength and
founder of global fitness now offering free group conditioning gym launched its 03/ TRX Strength at Core
fundraising initiative Battle classes for those struggling ‘Legends’ classes – workouts Collective with Gok Yesodharan
Cancer, who launched his with their mental health, designed for the over-60s – at its Think weights-free training
new endeavour in 2020. accessed via GP referral, London site, as a way to help the is easier? These functional
with an added focus on older relatives of its members strength-building classes will
The Battle Cancer military veterans and stay sharp, mobile and healthy. prove you very, very wrong,
Programme is a free 12-week emergency services workers testing muscles you didn’t
training plan that turns – an initiative championed When the UK first went even know you had. Best
cancer survivors into fitness by one of the gym’s coaches, into lockdown, it shifted its practise those pikes…
coaches, who can then in a marine on leave. programme online, where it’s
turn support other people stayed ever since, growing
with their recovery. Britton That, or simply come largely by word of mouth. With
launched the programme for the gym’s 40 weekly many people forced to isolate,
out of his Exeter gym, and classes, expert seminars, even as the world reopened,
it’s now being rolled out in on-site sports therapy and Legends offered a chance to
hangout space. connect with others. It’s now
such a part of the weekly ritual
that the attendees stay on the
call for a post-sesh chat.

The equipment-free (and fee-
free) workouts run three mornings
a week via Zoom. Somewhere out
there is a 70-year-old man who
can match you for squat form…

68 MEN’S HEALTH

Action Stations

08
Work Easy,
Work Out Hard

If you can do your job remotely – but are bored
of staring out of your spare-room window – 
why not set your laptop down near the gym?
These spots blend desk space with dumbbells

ENJOY A SAVASANA
IN YOUR LUNCH HOUR

REGULAR VIDEO CALLS FROM
YOUR PT WILL LIFT MORALE

07 Your
Remote Coach

Looking for a fresh challenge and goal-focused Manor SW1 at OR TRY THIS
programming? Let your next coach meet you Thomas House
where you are – which, we’ll presume, is quite David Lloyd
London
often staring at a screen Nationwide

Ronin Strength The intention to train and Punching higher than the
the desire to train are not average health chain, while
roninstrength.co.uk the same, so removing a few still keeping its memberships
obstacles can make all the affordable, David Lloyd could
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM WATKINS; MARK BARKER Despite their rising daily feedback and even difference. Which means be described as ‘boutique on
popularity, weightlifting and nutrition consultation. investing in a co-working a budget’ – with pools, spas,
powerlifting are still slightly space with a fun fitness spin classes and a few new class
niche sports. After noting Although the platform set-up pays back. concepts available to members.
how tough it was for aspiring launched before lockdown,
athletes to gain access to the gym closures forced The Office Group has Its latest class offering, Delta
top trainers, Ronin Strength Speed to move, well, quickly co-working spaces across (no relation to the variant, we
founder Khrys Speed – expanding his virtual the UK, and one of the best presume), is a six-week fitness
decided to launch an online offering and ensuring is Thomas House in Victoria. programme in which you’re
platform to link up lifters coaches set up regular video Members get access to put through your paces with
of all levels with experts calls with members to lift functional training space a select group of like-minded
in the field, virtually. morale (with perfect form, Manor SW1, with daily people. The chain is also
presumably). Next, he hopes classes ticking off strength expanding its outdoor provisions
Speed – who you might to add gymnastics tuition to and conditioning, boxing with Battlebox: all-weather,
call a ‘polyathlete’: a Ronin Strength’s programme. and mobility. As for the bootcamp-style circuits.
professional rugby player ‘work’ part, there’s plenty of
turned national-level British Don’t know your power space for meetings or quiet Then, when you’re done
weightlifter and PT – is the snatch from your hang clean? study, while the cafe will breaking a sweat, break out
sort of coach other coaches Sign up for one of the group’s stop you flagging during your laptop in one of the gym’s
look up to. Today, his team four-week Learn to Train those post-HIIT Zoom calls. ‘business lounges’, which are
of eight trainers offers courses and you’ll soon be quiet with desk space, fast wifi
app-based programming, piling the plates on your bar. and, crucially, lunch.

MEN’S HEALTH 69

Equal

As transgender athletes continue to make
headlines, debate about inclusion in top-level sport has
dominated the discourse. But this is just one part of the story.
For trans athletes at all levels, sport can be transformative for
mental wellbeing. MH met six of them to talk fitness,

self-acceptance and what it means to belong

Play

Words by Tom Ward – Photography by Chris Floyd

Trans Men
In Sport

O WINTERS KNEW FROM
A YOUNG AGE THAT HE’D
ONE DAY LIVE AS A MAN

n 2 August 2021, New Zealander Laurel The Surfer playing with the boys, I felt like on average. According to data in the
Hubbard stepped up to compete in the Taylor Winters I was part of it, but when I was journal Endocrine Reviews, male athletes
women’s +87kg weightlifting event playing with the girls it didn’t outperform females in disciplines such
in Tokyo. At 43, Hubbard was the Age: 38 feel right; I felt out of place. as running and swimming by up to 12%,
oldest weightlifter in the competition Sports: Basketball, while the Journal Of Applied Physiology
and regarded as a medal contender. football, surfing ‘When I started hormone concluded that female athletes typically
Notably, Hubbard was also the first treatments, I gained a lot of display 40% less upper-body strength
openly transgender athlete to compete Winters, originally from weight. I didn’t recognise and 33% less lower-body strength than
at the Olympic Games. Transylvania, is used to myself in the mirror. My their male counterparts.
answering questions on friend, a PT, made a gym and
Hubbard fell short of Olympic his origins (‘People ask, diet plan for me. It amazed It is the job of sports regulatory
success after dropping a barbell loaded “Does Transylvania actually me how much weight I lost in bodies to control for differences by
first with 120kg, then 125kg on three exist?”’ he laughs). After three months. Testosterone offering trans people clear and realistic
successive snatch attempts, placing undergoing breast removal helped a lot. My body guidelines for participation.
her last in her group. Addressing the – or ‘top surgery’ – in 2019, changed from a female shape
world’s media afterwards, she thanked he discovered a love of to a more masculine one. Critics of the UK sports councils’
the International Olympic Committee surfing, thanks to his review say it’s harmful to frame the
(IOC), praising their ‘commitment to reworked physique ‘Having top surgery made ideas of trans inclusion and ‘fairness’
the principles of Olympianism’. a huge difference. I can’t as conflicting ideals; that there’s limited
‘We used to dress up at really explain how good it evidence of trans people excelling in
‘They’ve demonstrated, I think, that kindergarten and, being a girl, feels, starting from the point sport disproportionately and more
sport is something all people around I was always dressed in skirts where you actually see your research is needed. Other posited
the world can do,’ Hubbard said. ‘It’s and dresses. I used to make chest for the first time. I used solutions include the introduction of
inclusive, it’s accessible. And I think a big fuss about it and cry to wear a sports bra because an open gender category in some sports
that’s just really fabulous.’ because I didn’t want to wear my chest was constricting – removing debate about who gets to
them. Growing up, we didn’t me in sport. The satisfaction compete under the banner of ‘man’ or
But Hubbard also acknowledged that really have the internet to do of throwing it in the bin was ‘woman’, while making sports inclusive
her participation had ‘not been entirely any research. But I knew just the most amazing thing. for those who identify as neither.
without controversy’. The inclusion of inside that I wasn’t a woman. Going to the beach for the
trans people in the world of professional first time after top surgery It’s not a simple issue. The IOC’s
sports has a complicated history. ‘It wasn’t possible to begin was amazing. I was self-aware medical and scientific director, Dr
transitioning in Romania. because of my scars, but Richard Budgett, conceded that there’s
Most arguments centre on guidelines Back then, no one knew obviously nobody cares. It no ‘one size fits all’, because every sport
for transgender women (those assigned about it. So I lived with my was wonderful. is different. And people are, too.
male at birth) who hope to compete in dysphoria. I just had to
women’s sports, with a recent review manage it. I didn’t really have ‘I tried surfing for the first But while debates over nanomoles
published by the UK sports councils to “come out”. It was implied. time this year and loved it. of testosterone could be continued ad
concluding that there are ‘retained Because I was dressing like a I’d really wanted to try it for infinitum, to focus purely on regulatory
differences in strength, stamina and boy, everyone addressed me a long time, but it wouldn’t guidelines is to ignore the role that
physique’ between trans women and as a boy. My parents were have felt comfortable for me sports and fitness already play in the
cisgender women, even following the supportive, so they never told to expose my chest before daily lives of many trans people –
suppression of testosterone. me not to dress up like a boy. I had surgery. It probably amateur bodybuilders, aspiring boxers,
I eventually moved to the UK would have affected my weekend footballers, rugby league
Transgender men face somewhat and started my transition. surfing before; now I can players, marathon runners.
fewer regulatory barriers, though Even from a young age, I stand straighter on the board
professional guidelines differ by knew I’d get to live my life and keep my balance The pitch, pool and gym can be an
sport. Generally, they are barred from how I’m meant to, like a man. properly. My posture is intimidating space for those who still
competing in the female category once getting better because I’m don’t feel able to navigate them safe
treatment with testosterone begins, ‘I’ve always been active. not hunched over trying to from judgement. But when fitness is
and are asked to provide a written When I was in high school, hide my chest. I’ve been inclusive, it can be transformative for
declaration of gender identity in order I used to play basketball for doing that for 30-odd years. health – both mental and physical.
to participate in the male category. the women’s team. I used to Now when I’m surfing I just We asked six transgender men with
But there’s often a stigma to navigate. play football, too, but with get this complete feeling a passion for fitness to share their
the boys’ team. When I was of freedom.’ experiences. Here are their stories.
There are, of course, differences in
male and female sports performance,

72 MEN’S HEALTH

‘When playing sport with the boys, I felt I was
part of it. With the girls, I felt out of place’

Taylor Winters

Trans Men
In Sport

‘I was scrawny, feeling my way through becoming
male. Now no one could clock me as trans’

Leo Chrzanowski

The Weightlifter ‘With weightlifting, it was BOXING AND THE GYM The Boxer I turned my life around and
Leo Chrzanowski just like, “I’m a man, men lift HAVE STRENGTHENED Danny Baker now I’m a support worker.
weights. When can I start?” BAKER’S MENTAL HEALTH
Age: 29 I wanted to be macho all the Age: 34 ‘I love what the gym does
Sports: Weightlifting, way. My weightlifting began CHRZANOWSKI USES Sports: Boxing for my mental health. I’d been
ranching when I started transitioning, HIS EXPERIENCE TO in there just training on the
but there was a lot of fear EDUCATE OTHER MEN Currently in training for bag and I thought, “This is my
Growing up in the US and and lack of self confidence the World Gay Boxing time.” I entered an LGBTQ+
inspired by westerns, in the gym. It took me a year Championships, Essex-born white-collar boxing match to
Chrzanowski’s first of parking outside and not Baker has always dreamed raise funds for the underage
sporting passion was rodeo. going in, then going in at of boxing against other men LGBTQ+ homeless.
After transitioning seven midnight and making sure on the professional stage
years ago, he feels free no one was there – I was ‘Kellie Maloney, the boxing
to pursue his twin loves petrified. But now I have a ‘I used to play football for promoter [who transitioned
of horse riding and healthy relationship with Essex, but boxing was a in 2014], came in to do a talk.
weightlifting. His efforts the gym and I’m so proud of passion from when I was It was inspiring. She took a
have clearly paid off how far I’ve come. a kid. The problem was that liking to me and introduced
I didn’t always look like this. me to Jamie “Rocky” Johnson,
‘I’m from Philadelphia but live ‘Physically, the difference When I was 13 or 14, I would who is a trans man but
in Scotland. When I was a is night and day. I was a walk past a boxing gym and without testosterone. He was
teenager, we moved out to scrawny boy feeling my way be desperate to go in. But I a pioneer. He directed me
the country. I got into horse through becoming male. would’ve had to fight girls. In to a north London boxing
riding because my dad and Now, no one could clock me my brain I was always a little club and I’ve really developed
my grandfather ran a stable. as trans. I don’t disclose it if geezer. I couldn’t fight girls since then. Now I fight
At 12, my dad got me a horse. I feel like my safety is in – I didn’t want to hurt them. against cis men.
I had a big gap in riding jeopardy. I see it as a So I just stayed away, which
because of my transition. teaching point to be around was sad. Now that I’m boxing, ‘In 2023, I’m going to
Then when I became male a bunch of dudes, let them be I’m flying; if I’d started then I’d Sydney for the World Gay
it helped me come back misogynistic and talk crap, probably be a pro by now. Boxing Championships. It’s
to that sport as an adult, then say, “Well, actually, I used my lifelong dream to fight
feeling way better about it. to be a woman, so maybe ‘I bit the bullet when I was at a proper event. It’s an
you should reconsider your 15 and went to my local gym. organisation set up to
‘I’ve always known I was opinion.” I’ve educated a lot My lifestyle was different encourage LGBTQ+ sports
male. Ever since I could of people that way. You never when I was younger – I was across the world. I predict
talk and had a general know what a person has struggling with my identity that I’m going to have a place
understanding of the world. been through, so if you can and things at home. It was as a boxer in the “normal”
As a kid, I was always approach more situations quite traumatic. I didn’t have boxing world. I really believe
dressing in boys’ clothes with love and understanding, it in the tank to box properly that. I’m going to keep going,
and trying to be perceived you’ll probably make more and suffered with my mental keep training and encourage
male. I would see my dad with meaningful relationships. health. I left the gym. others to register and get
his shirt off and take mine involved in the sport.’
off, too. He would be like, ‘It’s a dream come true ‘I’d been in prison 13 times
“Woah, what are you doing?” that I get to lift weights and by the time I was 25. But
It just made sense to me. ranch. I’ve always been like
the ultimate manly man, so
‘My family wasn’t open to now it all makes sense.’
me being transgender at all.
I was 23 when I started
transitioning. I spent a long
time in therapy because I was
subject to a lot of emotional
and physical abuse from my
parents growing up. It took a
lot of undoing damage for me
to realise I could transition.

‘After I transitioned, I used
a lot of programmes where
you get to work on a ranch
in return for food and board.
I worked in Arkansas for
three months and it was
super gender-affirming to
be a real-life cowboy.

MEN’S HEALTH 75



Trans Men
In Sport

SMITH WANTS SPORTS TO
BE MORE INCLUSIVE OF
ATHLETES WHO ARE TRANS

‘Sport is life The Rugby Player ‘I actually got outed in the
and everyone Verity Smith national newspapers four
should have the years ago. They incorrectly
right to play’ Age: 40 labelled me a trans woman.
Sports: Wheelchair One paper said I was the
Verity Smith rugby league reason why referees were
leaving the game and that
GUTTER CREDIT ‘Before rugby, there was trans women shouldn’t be
nothing. I didn’t know able to play sport. I lost a lot
where to fit in,’ Smith has of friends. People say I tried
said. Luckily, it turned out to “infiltrate” the women’s
he’s pretty good at rugby, teams, but I was there for
having played in both union more than 20 years.
and league before an
accident left him partially ‘After I was outed, I was
paralysed in 2018 – the required to apply to my
same year he became the governing bodies in order
first trans person to win the to continue playing women’s
national ‘Prop Star’ Award. sport. I had to have doctor’s
Now playing wheelchair letters signing me off as fit
rugby, Smith is focused on to play. At one match, the
promoting inclusion with opposition lied and said
the charity Mermaids they’d had a letter from the
governing body to say I was
‘Growing up, I knew I was a danger to women. The
different, but no one knew referee didn’t know what to
what “trans” was back then. do. In the end I was removed
It was easier to come out as from the pitch in front of all
a lesbian than a trans man. my mates. The other team
Understandably, I struggled refused to let me in my own
with my mental health. changing room and toilets.
It was horrendous.
‘Sport has always been
important for me. I started ‘I broke my back in 2018.
playing football for Hull City I was playing for Rotherham
ladies when I was nine or 10. and took a bad tackle that
It wasn’t for me. I was like a crushed my spinal cord. It
bull in a china shop. I started took me six months to try
going to rugby instead and wheelchair rugby. I eventually
fell in love. I was bigger than found Leeds Rhinos. I sent
the other girls and ended up them an email saying, “I’m
playing county rugby, then trans, am I allowed to play?”
union for a Premiership team. I was so scared. People
I now play wheelchair rugby need to stop asking, “Am
league, but prior to that I I allowed?” It should be, “How
played 26 years of elite can we get you involved?”
women’s rugby union and
rugby league. ‘The first time I went, I tried
to leave and burst into tears.
‘The whole time I was But I got through. I’ve been
playing I just wanted to be playing two and a half years
me. My gender was unspoken now. I got my first try in the
for a lot of people, but I got Super League just before my
told if I came out publicly top surgery. It’s a feeling of
I’d lose my sport. I lost my coming home, having a team
parents young, so I didn’t again. Sport is life. Everyone
want to lose something else. should have the right to play
Playing sport gave me sport as themselves.’
something to concentrate
on. It gave me another family.

MEN’S HEALTH 77

Trans Men
In Sport

The Bodybuilder anxiety. I still keep myself to
Shay Price
myself and go to quiet, small
Age: 23
Sports: Bodybuilding gyms. Gyms where there are

From a young age, Price other gay people. In my
idolised bodybuilders. Now,
having spent half of his life previous gym, there were
as an openly transgender
man, Price has overcome other transgender people.
genetic setbacks to match
his iron-pumping heroes. I’ve been open with the gyms
The next step? Competing
on the world stage that I’ve trained at and they

‘I started transitioning at 13, have been supportive.
the same time I became
aware of bodybuilding. Male ‘I now train by myself and
and female bodybuilders are
both amazing, but I knew that focus on me. I go twice a day
I was trapped in the wrong
body. I would create male – half an hour of cardio in the
characters in my video games
and dress “male” as a child. morning, then work on a JACKSON IS HOPING TO OPEN The Martial Artist testosterone has made me
major muscle group. I do UP THE CONVERSATION Jordan Jackson stronger. There’s a huge
‘My first job was in a leisure more cardio in the evening, AROUND BEING TRANS debate about whether it’s
centre, so I was in the gym Age: 30 unfair for trans people to
pretty much every day. I’d see and another major muscle Sports: Taekwondo compete in professional
men training and that was sports. I competed and won
my inspiration. Bodybuilding group. Going to the gym is As a PT and three-time my gold medals a few months
put the idea of the “perfect” taekwondo gold medallist, into taking testosterone, very
masculine body in my mind. like therapy. I can go there Jackson is on a mission to early in my transition. So there
It was something I wanted ‘radically reduce the suicide were no physical attributes
to work towards. Being and take my anger and statistics within the trans that had really developed yet.
transgender, that’s a lot community through fitness
harder for me. frustration out. It just picks and a positive mindset’ ‘I think it’s important that
there isn’t segregation in
‘When I first started me up. During lockdown, I fell ‘Before I was openly trans, sports. I like to create a sense
bodybuilding, I wasn’t on I was pretty much the only of community. It’s okay to talk
testosterone so it was hard to into depression quite quickly female that competed with about being trans, you don’t
put on weight and lose water males in sport. They used to have to tread on eggshells if
weight. I was very aware of because the gym is pretty think I was bossy, but I was you’re unsure of something.
my breasts and hip fat. Not just fiercely competitive. I I named my business Stealth
having the male genetics to much my life. discovered taekwondo at Fitness because I was under
be in the top ranking for university. Back then, I was the radar and now I’m open.
bodybuilding was quite hard ‘I get quite a few messages “stealth” – pre-hormones and
on my body dysmorphia. surgery. I was competing ‘When I was stealth at uni,
Testosterone certainly helped. on Instagram from people against other males, but I was going to the gym massively
very much under the radar. helped me conquer my
‘I was very serious about asking for training tips, gender dysphoria. It was
wanting to bodybuild, and I ‘No one knew that I was a fundamental part of my
still am. Back then, I had this asking where I had my chest trans because I didn’t feel self-growth. My training has
one guy who was my friend confident to be open. It was been a huge factor in my
and colleague. He’s older surgery. I’m not a qualified 2018 when I came out publicly. confidence. I know the
than me, so I look at him like My taekwondo community mental health deterioration
a mentor. He was really Level 3 personal trainer, so accepted it. The only pressure that can happen when trans
supportive. He gave me was what I put on myself people don’t have a physical
some ideas about different I can’t give any professional because I wanted to prove outlet. Unfortunately, many
ways to make my waist look that I was just as capable of of them find the gym a very
smaller and things like that. advice, but I still try to help winning as anyone else. intimidating place.

‘Despite that, at the start out where I can. ‘Our philosophy in the ‘There’s nothing worse
– and even going into new sport is to do with equality than being stuck by yourself
gyms now – I do suffer with ‘My goal is to one day – especially gender equality. and having your thoughts go
From a competition aspect, it over and over in your mind.
compete in bodybuilding. was daunting. I was up against Self-harm and suicide
6ft 3in cis males and I’m 5ft statistics among trans
It’s difficult. I haven’t seen any 6in, so they certainly had the people are high. I’m trying
weight and reach advantage. to encourage these kids to
transgender guys on stage in From a difficulty point of come out into the world and
view, prior to testosterone let them know that it’s okay
the UK. I’ve seen a couple of it was certainly harder to to feel the way you do. You
compete. Now I fight cis and can be yourself and do
guys smashing it in the US trans males. I’m a much something about it, too.’
better athlete now;
who are big inspirations, but

I want to compete in the UK PRICE AIMS TO INSPIRE
and prove to all trans guys TRANS MEN BY COMPETING
that it’s possible.’ PROFESSIONALLY

GROOMING: NAT SCHMITT

78 MEN’S HEALTH

‘Going to the gym massively helped me conquer my
gender dysphoria. It’s a huge factor in my confidence’

Jordan Jackson

HOW TO SURVIVE THE

Golden Age
Bad ScOFience

We’ve all been exposed to quacks,
hacks and fonts of nonsense before.
But not like this. Health information is being

weaponised and consumed at an
unprecedented rate – one that’s proving
lethal. Fortunately, we have the tools to help
you distinguish wisdom from claptrap, and

stay mentally and physically strong

WRITTEN BY TIMOTHY CAULFIELD
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHAEL C BYERS



Confused?
It’s not

your fault.

A recent The Economist poll revealed and interests, as well as my
that 20% of people in the US believe
that Covid vaccines contain a microchip. professional passions. Cringe.
Think about that. The survey also found
that only 46% of Americans were willing This is truly the golden era of
to say that the microchip thing is
definitely false. Even though there’s misinformation. We are, as the World
no plausible way it could be happening.
According to a 2020 survey by the Health Organization declared in early
University of Oxford, at one point,
more than a fifth of Brits believed that 2020, in the middle of an ‘infodemic’
the pandemic was a hoax.
– a time when harmful misinformation
These stats are troubling. But given
our frenetic information environment, is spreading like an infectious
they are also understandable. It is
becoming harder and harder to tease disease. Part of the problem is that we
out the real from the unreal. The
sense from the nonsense. The magical have normalised nonsense in some
thinking from the microchips.
very subtle and some very obvious
Not long ago, I was shocked by a
headline about ‘Covid parties’ – people ways. There are a host of successful
allegedly gathering to intentionally
infect themselves and others. Infuriated wellness gurus who have embraced
and without pausing to reflect (or fact-
check), I immediately took to social pseudoscience as a core brand strategy.
media to rage about how irresponsible
this was. Reality: Covid parties are And thanks to people like Andrew
mostly an urban legend. All I was doing
was adding to the noise. Wakefield – the disgraced former doctor

I study misinformation. This is my who started the awful ‘vaccines cause
job at the University of Alberta, where
I am a professor of law and public health autism’ fallacy in a paper published
and specialise in health policy and the
public representations of science. I in and later retracted by the journal
really should have known better. But
the story played to my values, emotions The Lancet – misinformation about

vaccine safety has continued to spread

and find new audiences.

A sad truth: misinformation and by Covid conspiracy theories is a

men are an especially bad combo, and key part of the story. It’s especially

it’s hurting our health. Men are important right now for
Research from the men to use the strategies

University of Delaware more likely to heretoingestahealthy
tells us that men are diet of information and
more likely to believe
Covid conspiracy believe Covid washitdownwithadose
theories and may be less conspiracies ofscepticism.

concerned about the Our information
environment has

harmful effects of misinformation. become a chaotic, confusing,

Men are also less likely to get the exploitative shitstorm that is

Covid vaccine. While there are myriad destroying our health. There are a

reasons for this hesitancy, the male variety of forces making it increasingly

inclination to accept and be influenced

82 MEN’S HEALTH

TRICK OR TREATMENT?

THE MASS OF INFO How Did We
OUT THERE CAN Get Here?
SEEM DAUNTING
There’s no single reason why half-
difficult for us to avoid the harmful But that’s how science works; evidence truths, plain untruths and simple
hogwash and polarising pandering. evolves and recommendations change, misunderstandings are undermining
And all this is happening at the exact and being transparent about those the acceptance of science-backed
moment in history when we crave and changes is essential. Just be aware information. But if forced to pick one,
so desperately need facts and clarity. that alternative and often science-free I’d choose social media.
voices will try to be definitive when
The infodemic has helped foster actual scientists don’t have the data or If you get your news from social
an erosion of confidence in scientific facts to get there quite yet. You’re better media, you are more likely to believe
institutions, as those who spread off waiting until they do. and spread misinformation, according
misinformation frequently seek to to a 2020 study from McGill University.
promote doubt and distrust. The But there is a way forward. By using Other research has traced the origins
scientific community deserves some a few critical-thinking tools and being of Covid misinformation to specific
blame, too, with occasional bad aware of the tactics used to push platforms. A 2020 Press Gazette
research and poorly communicated misinformation, we can begin to cut analysis of more than 7,000 misleading
results creating confusion. (Masks through the noise.  claims about Covid found that more
don’t work. Oh, actually, they do.) than half had originated on Facebook.

Misinformation can spread fast
and far. In August, Facebook released
a report on its most widely viewed
content from January to March 2021.
The winner? The post seen more times
than any other was a misleading article
implying that the Covid vaccine had
actually killed someone.

This kind of noise has done great
harm. One study from early in the
pandemic linked more than 800 deaths
and thousands of hospitalisations
to a rumour, spread primarily
through social media, about the use
of methanol as a cure for Covid. A
study published this year by Heidi
Larson and her colleagues at the
Vaccine Confidence Project at the
London School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine found that the
spread of online misinformation has
had a significant impact on vaccine
hesitancy – jeopardising our ability
to reach herd immunity.

Our current information ecosystem
is a frantic space that doesn’t really
invite a careful consideration of the
facts, especially if the headline plays
to our emotions. We know, for example,
that humans are evolutionarily
predisposed to remember and respond

MEN’S HEALTH 83

to negative and scary information. gives answers, even a seemingly zany political polarisation,’ says Dr Kate
This negativity bias is universal.
conspiracy theory, can be comforting Starbird, an associate professor at the
Adding to the gravitational pull
of this vortex is the reality that the – especially if that story also reflects University of Washington and an expert
algorithms used by social media
platforms to decide what we see our pre-existing beliefs. on the spread of misinformation.
continue to ensure that harmful – and
often fearmongering – misinformation And this brings us to ideology. ‘They allow for that polarisation to
floods our feeds. This can pull people
into microchip-infused, anti-vax, Crafting a message that fits with a be leveraged in new ways by those
5G-caused-Covid rabbit holes that
are specifically designed to play to particular worldview is a sure-fire seeking to exploit our differences for
our interests and values.
way to make misinformation more their gain.’ Public discussions about
Another problem: lies and
pseudoscience can be made more appealing. In addition to leveraging our Covid became politically polarised
compelling (microchips in the
vaccines!) than the boring old truth confirmation bias – that is, the strong almost as soon as the pandemic was
(safe, clinical-trial-tested, actual vaccine
ingredients). Indeed, research has psychological tendency to notice and declared. And an analysis from the
found that, as the saying goes, ‘a lie can
travel halfway around the world while retain information that Lies can be University of Cincinnati
the truth is putting on its shoes.’ confirms our pre-existing that examined social

Conspiracy theories can also draw beliefs – using ideology made more media interactions
us in because they may provide a as the hook allows those from the beginning of
complete narrative as to why things pushing misinformation
are happening. They can offer answers to sidestep the actual compelling the pandemic revealed
to questions that, from a scientific science. The message than the truth thatsomeofthemost
perspective, remain unresolved.
During the pandemic, for example, influential voices were
much was – and still is – unknown. This becomes about an politically motivated.
can feel discombobulating. A story that
ideological position, not what the Recognising the forces that drive

science says or doesn’t say. I want to misinformation is an important step in

be clear that I’m not judging anyone’s stopping its spread. Indeed, Dr Starbird

political leanings. The ideological spin told me that her top recommendation

of science happens all the way across for spotting misinformation is to tune

the belief spectrum. in to your emotions.

Experts recognise the double-edged ‘Whenever some piece of content

nature of social media. It can bring us makes me feel politically self-

together, but it can also drive us apart righteous, that’s when I know I need

– especially around ideology. ‘Social to be extra careful about sharing,’

media [platforms] are amplifiers of she says. ‘Because there’s likely a

misinformation flag somewhere.’

MISINFORMATION
SPREADS FAST IN A

DIGITAL WORLD

TRICK OR TREATMENT?

THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH How To Spot
CAN BE A HARD CLIMB Bad Science

Yes, there are fraudsters out there trying to shift
products, but most people aren’t intentionally trying to
pass along bad science. Gordon Pennycook is a cognitive
psychologist who studies how to battle the spread of
misinformation. His research reveals that roughly 80% of
people believe that it’s important that the info they share
on social media is accurate. However, it can be difficult
to parse quality from quackery. What should you consider
when you see a blog comment, YouTube testimonial, or
social media rant from your outspoken uncle? Ask
yourself these questions to help figure out what’s true

What Science 01 Unfortunately, they often get reported
Is Up Against on without the important ‘this is just a
Is there evidence preprint’ caveat. For example, a preprint
Inaccurate info is contagious for this? about the alleged benefits of the
anti-parasite medication ivermectin
70% Greater likelihood Be sceptical if a claim is based on a in treating or preventing Covid helped
that misinformation study that was done only in animals, drive interest in the drug. But after
will be retweeted was small (in general, you need big questions were raised about possible
over stories that studies – in thousands, not dozens, of data manipulation, it was pulled from
are actually true. people – to produce reliable results), or the preprint website. By then, however,
was only observational. These studies the idea was out and the narrative of
Misinformation can hurt you mostly involve noting relationships benefit continues to circulate.
between things, such as eating a food
33% Percentage of and changing a disease outcome. They 03
200 popular cancer- can’t really prove the food caused the
treatment articles on change; for that, you need randomised, Is the claim based
social media containing controlled studies. on an anecdote?
misinformation. 
It may be tempting to be swayed by Everyone loves a good story. It can
The truth can rarely keep up exciting new research – especially if pull at our heartstrings. It can also
it’s contrarian – but it’s important to scare us. There’s a theory that we are
6x How much faster consider peer-reviewed evidence hardwired to respond to narratives,
misleading information (meaning other scientists have checked especially if we can relate to the
can reach 1,500 people it), and to look at the broader scientific characters. They play to our cognitive
compared with consensus. You might want to make biases because they’re easy to recall.
accurate information. sure there’s science referenced at all.
A pontificating report or post should be Research from the University of
viewed as less pertinent than something Michigan has shown that a compelling
relying on, you know, actual evidence. anecdote can decrease our ability to
think scientifically, which is why stories
02 have become drivers of misinformation.
A site called 1,000 Covid Stories is just
Is the evidence a group of videos with anti-vaccine
preliminary? voices like Eric Clapton recounting bad
vaccination experiences. There’s no
While scientific speculation can way to tell if the incidents had anything
be a valuable way to publicly debate to do with a vaccine. Scientific research
emerging ideas, peer review adds is required to tease out a link between
much-needed credibility. During the an event and an outcome. Stories can
pandemic, there has been dramatic give meaning to cold data and help get
growth in access to ‘preprint’ papers statistics across, but there should also
– previews of studies not yet reviewed be facts. Don’t just rely on testimonials.
by independent scientists or accepted
for publication in an academic journal.

MEN’S HEALTH 85

04 authority, even if the topic is nonsense. credentials? If the info’s not credible,
And seeing as many of us aren’t well you can do something important to
Is this just your versed in what the sciencey terms stop its spread. Pause to consider
friend’s opinion? actually mean, the opacity can help accuracy before you share.
misinformation slide through the
Research has shown that we tend to cracks in our critical-thinking defenses. 09
trust someone we see as being similar Watch out for vague and meaningless
to us, even if there is no science- phrases (‘detoxifies the body’) and Does a post or
informed reason for doing so. I’m not overpromises (‘revolutionary’). The ‘too person make you
saying you shouldn’t have a beer with good to be true’ test works pretty well. doubt the evidence?
your mate and listen to his entertaining
hypothesising about lizard people 08 A time-tested way of pushing
running the world. It’s just that, you misinformation is to constantly inject
know – he could be wrong. Can you elements of doubt. On social media, the
fact-check it? strategy of ‘just asking questions’ has
05 become a key tool of the current crop
What are authorities on the subject of doubtmongers. It works because it
Is someone trying to and fact-checkers saying? Can you feels benign. Always think of the big
sell you something? verify the source of the information picture. Scientists will debate the details,
and does it look credible? Who is but don’t let this distract you. We have
Often misinformation is being pushed making this claim? Is it someone who concrete and actionable answers.
for personal gain. For example, Joseph has studied the topic and has relevant (Vaccines work. Incredibly well.)
Mercola, an osteopath and author, has
built a multimillion-dollar empire selling STOCK UP ON SOLID,
products such as dietary supplements, FACT-BASED INFO
some of which have been flagged by
regulatory bodies for improper claims
that they can help fight Covid.

06

Is there
fearmongering or
ideological spin?

Is the author trying to be provocative
or play to a particular worldview? Last
year, a Canadian politician circulated
a rumour that the federal government
was building ‘internment camps’ to
force people to isolate. Conspiracy
websites immediately picked up the lie,
which then quickly migrated to social
media, where some posts used the
seriously offensive phrase ‘concentration
camps’. This story spread as quickly
as it did mostly because it was scary
sounding and fit a certain anti-
government narrative.

07

Is there
scienceploitation?

Sciencey language can be exploited
to make something sound more credible,
a tactic I call ‘scienceploitation’. That
can create the illusion of scientific

86 MEN’S HEALTH

TRICK OR TREATMENT?

How To Talk To Someone Who
Doesn’t Trust The Science

Debating anyone who’s resolutely opposed to the mainstream consensus
is frustrating, but there are ways to make the conversation more productive

Don’t talk. Listen Find common Play the long game
ground
Actually listen (ie, more than watching your Providing credible
friend’s mouth move while waiting for your turn Perhaps it is mutual information and
to talk). This isn’t always easy, but it’s essential concern for the highlighting the rhetorical
to understanding their perspective. Not safety of family tricks used to push
everyone who is vaccine hesitant, for example, members or misinformation can make a
is a hardcore conspiracy theorist. There’s frustration about difference. But it’s rare for
a vast range of viewpoints. the uncertainty of someone to change their
emerging science. mind right in front of you.
Express empathy And use your own Humans are stubborn. But,
stories – such as a over time, your discussion
Don’t mock them, and don’t just throw positive experience might begin to have an
a mountain of facts at them. Try to get with vaccination – impact. Be patient.
a sense of what information would help to support your
them feel better about the issue. Ask perspective.
about their sticking points and recognise
that they may have legitimate reasons for
mistrusting the relevant institutions.

Where To Go For Reliable Info

(beyond Men’s Health, of course)

Instagram TikTok Twitter Podcasts Websites

@science.sam @AlexDainis @DrJenGunter This Week in Science Snopes.com
Samantha Alex Dainis, PhD Dr Jennifer Gunter @TWIScience The oldest and largest
This geneticist’s TikToks Hosted by Kirsten
Yammine, PhD break down the facts A bold debunker ‘Kiki’ Sanford, a fact-checking site.
This neuroscientist on hot topics like PCR unafraid of neurophysiologist
testing and gene editing. Factcheck.org
blends expert controversial topics. who makes complex A project of the
communication skills @doctor.darien topics like CAR T-cell Annenberg Public Policy
with a broad range of Dr Darien Sutton @SabiVM treatments engaging. Center that checks the
biosciences knowledge. Get clarity on facts Sabina Vohra- accuracy of statements
about chest pain, Science Vs by political figures.
@jessica Covid and more from Miller, MSc @ScienceVs
malatyrivera this emergency- This clinical A team of leading Statnews.com
Jessica Malaty Rivera medicine doctor. pharmacologist aims to journalists talk to A health news site with
Expect jargon-free make data make sense. scientists to separate trusted investigations;
explanations of Covid fact from fad. one of the first to look
science from this @EricTopol
epidemiologist. Dr Eric Topol into Covid.
A top doc putting
medical research
into perspective.

MEN’S HEALTH 87

FIGHT SESSION
GUI DASILVA-GREENE (LEFT)
AND DANIEL GRAHAM TRAIN
AT A PARKOUR AND MARTIAL
ARTS STUDIO IN CALIFORNIA

Foryeaflrips,paeldbatlchakecoskcfsroitpputpn–otarpntedurtnfroaitnrimsefsoecrrmosne. Hdstterhraeei’slnihveeodswWOHoRDBfSotlBhaYllLcrEyekXIewSP-fOaoLrIinVoeItEndRhdRe’AssrY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON W JOHNSON

IN employers and stunt coordinators still pass over
the minds of most Marvel fans, there is only one qualified women and performers of colour ‘via
Black Panther: the late Chadwick Boseman, who nepotism, racism, intimidation and slander’, while
played King T’Challa in four Marvel films before ‘our talents are overlooked, denied and discredited,
dying in August 2020 after his battle with colon our professional opportunities foreclosed, our
cancer. But underneath the suit, three stuntmen careers foreshortened’. It’s part of a history of
– Gui DaSilva-Greene, Daniel Graham and Anis anti-blackness within Hollywood, says actor and
Cheurfa – all doubled Boseman, working behind activist Kendrick Sampson, who spearheads BLD
the scenes to give the character that superhero PWR, a non-profit working to dismantle racism in
swagger. Whether he was sliding down a 100ft wall the entertainment industry. He adds that for stunt
effortlessly, jumping from one moving car to another performers, ‘since they’re not as visible as actors,
with feline dexterity or going punch for explosive it’s hard to make progress’. Both seen and unseen,
punch and kick for percussive kick with Killmonger, invisible to most eyes yet thrillingly, undeniably
Black Panther always moved with grace and power. alive on screen, they’re helping to drive the
long-overdue change in who gets to be a hero
Coincidentally, DaSilva-Greene, make-up to white actors – a technique and kick some ass in Hollywood blockbusters. GUTTER CREDIT
Graham and Cheurfa began their known as ‘painting down’. Things But breaking barriers was never really a goal for
ascent into Hollywood stunt pre- started to change in 1965, when first- Cheurfa, DaSilva-Greene and Graham. They
eminence while living together in a time actor Bill Cosby refused to have a started out just wanting to kick each other’s asses.
tiny apartment in north Hollywood, white stuntman double him on the TV
a decade before Black Panther show I Spy, the first national television THE REAL HUSTLE
premiered. Collectively, these three series to feature a black male actor in
friends have performed stunts in six a lead role. Calvin Brown, a black actor The future roommates first crossed paths
of the top 25 highest-grossing films and stuntman, doubled Cosby instead, competing against one another at national martial
of all time, including the four films in launching his career as the first black arts tournaments, but they really bonded for the
which they doubled Boseman: Captain stuntman recognised by Hollywood. first time in 2008 at a ‘gathering’ at Loopkicks,
America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity After shattering his leg during a stunt a Santa Clara, California, gym specialising in
War, Black Panther and Avengers: a few years later, Brown founded the tricking – a mash-up of martial arts, capoeira and
Endgame. It’s a body of work that Black Stuntmen’s Association, an gymnastics. A gathering is like a meet-up for martial
not only changed their lives, but also effort to pass on his skills and artists where they can show off their tricking,
signifies a turning point for the black knowledge to other black performers similar to the way rappers and breakdancers
stunt community, following decades of looking to break into the industry. congregate in a circle, during what’s known as
fighting to increase opportunities for a cypher. Instead of rhymes or dance moves, the
people of colour in Hollywood. Through Since then, the Black Stuntmen’s battles at gatherings feature tricks, acrobatic
years of training, hustling, and at times Association has filed dozens of anti- flips, kicks and other gravity-defying martial-arts
luck, these men are now at the top of an discrimination lawsuits seeking more moves. Tricking became increasingly popular in
industry that hasn’t always accepted inclusivity with regard to hiring in the 1990s before ramping up even more during the
performers who look like them. Hollywood. Although painting down early 2000s. Graham, DaSilva-Greene and Cheurfa
and wigging – when a stuntman puts are pioneers in the space, and tricking nourished
Up until the mid-1960s, there were on a wig to double a woman – happen their friendship and fuelled their careers.
no black stunt performers in Hollywood. less frequently now, dozens of stunt
Instead of hiring black bodies to fill in performers still felt it necessary last When MH meets up with Graham, 36, and
for black actors, directors applied dark year to petition their union to end the DaSilva-Greene, 31, in August, both men are doing
practices. The petition noted that motion-capture work at a giant stunt gym called
Joining All Movement in Reseda, California, for
a movie franchise that has grossed several billion
dollars worldwide but that they can’t name.
Graham had drawn recent acclaim for his stunt
work on Tenet, doubling John David Washington.
‘Danny’s the best, don’t get it twisted,’ says
DaSilva-Greene as they embrace. (Cheurfa, 33,
who is of French-Algerian descent and grew up
in Paris, is in London for a six-month stretch
doubling Black Manta in the Aquaman sequel.)
Graham and DaSilva-Greene seem as close as
brothers, often finishing each other’s sentences
and relishing their similarities and differences
with laughter. Both are just about six feet tall with
ripped physiques and around nine percentage
points of total body fat between them. That’s
where the similarities end. Graham is a softly
spoken, meat-eating, Tesla-driving family man.
DaSilva-Greene is a boisterous, vegan, single guy
who roared up on a BMW S 1000 RR, a superbike.
Over lunch – lobster burger for Graham, red-bean

90 MEN’S HEALTH

REAL ACTION STARS

eventually became a karate instructor.

DaSilva-Greene grew up as a comic-

FIGHT CLUB book nerd in Harlem and aspired to be
the first black Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan,
FROM TOP: DASILVA-GREENE DOUBLED martial-arts action stars famous for doing
their own stunts. He trained in martial
BLACK PANTHER IN CAPTAIN AMERICA: arts and worked as a back-up dancer for
CIVIL WAR AND CAN BE SEEN IN SNAKE EYES. Chris Brown. ‘I had no family on the West
ASIDE FROM BLACK PANTHER, GRAHAM
WORKED ON THE JOHN WICK FILMS, TENET
AND THE HUNGER GAMES

Coast. It was just like, “Yo, you come

torta for DaSilva-Greene – the two poke out, you got to do something, you got

fun at each other as they reminisce to make it happen,”’ he says. Cheurfa’s

about the grind of their early days. background was also in martial arts and

‘Every month was a new move,’ says tricking. He’s a black belt in taekwondo

Graham. ‘Somebody invented flares and earned YouTube fame by performing

[in which you balance yourself on 18 corkscrews – in which you jump on

alternating hands as you continuously one leg, spin your body at an angle,

swing your legs beneath you]. And then then land on one leg – in a minute.

somebody did air flares. And then one- Cheurfa scored success first, playing

handed air flares. Everything just Rinzler in 2010’s Tron: Legacy, a role

evolved so quickly,’ he says, describing involving lots of tricking moves.

the scene in the 2000s. ‘Tricking used to Graham and DaSilva-Greene picked up

be our life,’ says Cheurfa later, via Zoom. dance and stunt work in music videos

‘We all would trick and train every and on television shows like NCIS.

day. It was crazy, bro,’ DaSilva-Greene Then Cheurfa and Graham were hired

says. After they all connected at by 87Eleven, the action-design team

Loopkicks, DaSilva-Greene moved behind the John Wick series. Founded

in with Graham and Cheurfa to by Chad Stahelski – the stunt performer

a two-bedroom who doubled
Keanu Reeves in
‘EVERYBODY WASapartmentin2009. The Matrix and
ALWAYS TRYING TOTheirrentcame went on to direct

out to about $300
per month each. PUSH EACH OTHER the John Wick
‘We were sharing TO BE BETTER’ films – 87Eleven
a room,’ DaSilva- is known for its
Greene recalls. level of accuracy

‘You know, it was and authenticity

like, “Y’all three are in this room, and in choreographing fight sequences.

y’all two are in that room”’ – two other Both men say the training was intense,

aspiring actors shared the other room. eight-hour days rehearsing elaborate

Most nights, they went to a martial-arts sequences again and again. ‘Everything

gym called White Lotus, run by Aaron is real fighting techniques,’ says

Toney (who later co-founded Joining Cheurfa. ‘We had to train for months

All Movement and was also a stuntman and months at a time to look like we

in Black Panther). ‘Everybody was knew what we’re doing.’ DaSilva-Greene

trying to one-up each other, constantly wasn’t invited to be part of that team

pushing each other to be better in the because, as he says, ‘I wasn’t anywhere

gym and playing video games,’ adds near the calibre of those guys then. Nor

Graham. ‘You want to be around people did I have a connection to get pulled

who lift you up, even when you’re flat in. So it was like, “Okay, you guys are

broke, eating ramen or 80-cent tacos.’ doing that. I got to fend for myself.”’

The guys have interesting origin While Graham and Cheurfa

stories. Graham had been running a established themselves as bona fide

karate school in Florida but moved to stunt performers, working all over the

Los Angeles to pursue his childhood world on films like The Hunger Games,

dream of being a stuntman. ‘I remember Divergent and the Fast & Furious series,

when I was little watching The Last DaSilva-Greene continued to hone his

Dragon and seeing Bruce Leroy [played skills. ‘I was lucky to maybe double

by Taimak Guarriello]. It was the first a small-time actor, or I was like goon

time I’d seen someone who looked like number five or police officer number

GUTTER CREDIT me doing martial arts, and it was like, three, you know? It was like very small

“Oh, I could do this!”’ By age 10, he things,’ he says. ‘I come in, I throw a

was competing nationally. He earned

a black belt in taekwondo at 12 and

MEN’S HEALTH 91

REAL ACTION STARS

pressure to be great at all times, but

also not too great, to the point that you he put doubling Boseman in Captain America:

threaten other people’s confidence, Civil War on his wall as a goal.

right punch, I get hit and I hit the a tricky, inequitable predicament that Most stunt jobs don’t require auditions –
ground. That was my job.’ Like some of
his role models, DaSilva-Greene dipped people of colour in all industries are usually stunt coordinators hire by word of mouth
his hand into the indie-film world to
build up a portfolio. ‘There’s always forced to reckon with. And there are – but for this role DaSilva-Greene got called in to
been like an indie martial-art film world,
like the Shaw Brothers films, Jackie very few second chances. ‘You get one audition and perform choreographed moves at
Chan movies, Van Damme’s early work.
And with that comes imitation,’ he shot. If you fuck up, that’s just the end 87Eleven. He knew the stunt coordinators doing
says. YouTube has allowed creators like
him to put together tricking and stunt of you,’ he says bluntly. He performed the hiring and felt confident. ‘I’d worked to be
highlight reels, called samplers, and
reach hundreds of thousands of viewers the move in Winter Soldier flawlessly, in this position and knew I had to do what I do.
while also landing on the radar of people
in the industry. ‘Some of those videos earning him the respect of his peers. Everybody can flip off one leg and spin, and so
got noticed. And a lot of people in the
stunt community, especially stunt ‘They’re like, “Okay, new guy’s talented. it’s more about how you perform it. I tried to
coordinators, the guys who do the
hiring, they’re watching, they’re looking That’s how he got the job.”’ Despite make every move look as panther-y as possible.’
to see what’s new, who’s out there, who
can they pull in.’ That’s how DaSilva- his character getting knocked out He adds that he once auditioned for Madonna,
Greene garnered the attention of Tom
Harper, a stunt coordinator for Captain early in the fight, DaSilva-Greene’s ‘all-day dance choreography, non-stop. This
America: The Winter Soldier, and found
himself getting beaten up in a lift. performance in the lift led to Harper wasn’t that.’ Then he waited a year.

PULLING STUNTS offering him a couple more weeks on ‘I finally get a phone call from Sam Hargrave’

It’s one of the most iconic action the shoot. There was a catch, though. – the stunt coordinator for Civil War. ‘He’s like,
sequences of Winter Soldier, the Marvel
epic filmed in 2013. Cap is in a lift Harper asked if he was afraid of heights. “Hey, buddy. I would like to invite you to be a
surrounded by nine rogue agents who
want to capture him, and he asks, ‘I’m like, “No, whatever. I’ve been on part of Captain America: Civil War’s stunt team
‘Before we get started, does anyone want
to get out?’ Gui DaSilva-Greene knew roller coasters before,”’ DaSilva-Greene as Black Panther’s stunt double.”’ Working as
he wanted in: it was a minor stunt, but
a chance to prove he belonged. ‘It was says. Whether he felt comfortable or a stunt double for a major character is a step up
only supposed to be like, I think, two
weeks of work,’ he says. ‘You see my not, he knew that he had to take from doing utility stunts. He was in a car when
dumb ass walk in, in the beginning
behind Frank Grillo. We practised 10 chances to get to the next level. he got the call. ‘I got out and was screaming. It
days to shoot that three-minute fight
scene.’ When the brawl broke out, What he didn’t realise at the time was probably one of the biggest things that ever
DaSilva-Greene had to do a challenging
manoeuvre that involved getting was that he’d be rappelling roughly 100 happened, you know, especially for a black kid
kicked by Cap, launching horizontally
in the air, spinning, and then hitting feet off a ship down to a concrete pier from Harlem who’s read the comics.’ The
the glass lift wall before landing on the
floor. ‘I don’t have much space, and at night, 12 hours a day for another two following month, he was on set. ‘Now I’ve reached
there’s a bar that’s, like, at three-feet
high,’ he says. ‘So I have to clear the bar weeks, just to rehearse the scene. ‘I can the pinnacle: black superhero. I got to be the
and then get down on the floor.’ As one
of the youngest and least experienced show you one of my first clips of me first time you see this black superhero on film.’
people on set, DaSilva-Greene felt the
stress. ‘Everybody’s in their early jumping off that thing. I am stiff as ‘When I found out Gui was Black Panther in
thirties. They’ve been in the game for
a while, and so they treated me like a board,’ says DaSilva-Greene, Civil War, I was happy for him,’ says Graham,
the little scrub, which I was.’
laughing. ‘It’s a I’VE SURVIVED who was busy doubling Raphael
As a black performer in a white- completely different THINGS THAT in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
male-dominated industry, DaSilva- type of fear from being and O’Shea Jackson Jr, as Ice
Greene says there’s an existential afraid of heights. It’s Cube, in Straight Outta Compton.

like, “Do you trust the I THOUGHT I’D ‘We all are happy for each
rigging system that NEVER SURVIVE’ other, because there is work
you’re about to be everywhere.’ DaSilva-Greene
using?” And that’s describes working on Civil War

what some people will as epic. ‘I got to do a lot of things

consider makes you a great stuntman, I thought I’d never do. Survived a lot of things I

trusting the coordinator.’ After thought I’d never survive. And of course, they

watching one of his initial attempts, made me jump off shit all the time,’ he says. He’s

Harper wasn’t impressed. ‘He sees especially proud of the scene in which he leaps

me and he’s like, “Yo, who is that up off the back of one car on to the back of another.

there?” And they’re like, “Oh, that’s Meanwhile, Graham’s reputation had gone

our new kid.” The stunt coordinator’s from strength to strength. He was tapped to

like, “Tell him he sucks.”’ double Boseman in the Black Panther movie,

With practice, DaSilva-Greene got directed by Ryan Coogler. That news hit DaSilva-

the hang of descending from the ship. Greene, after doubling Boseman in Civil War,

Making an impression while being put hard. ‘I’m like, damn, that kind of sucks,’ he says.

in uncomfortable situations, he caught ‘But at the same time, I’m like, “Yo, that’s one of

the attention of Phil Cervera, another my closest friends. We went through the grind

stunt coordinator on the film, who of coming out here and trying to make it work.”

offered to help him out. ‘Phil liked So fuck yeah. Like, why not share it?’

my energy. He’s from New York, so It was a huge moment for Graham. ‘Black

we kind of vibed.’ Opportunities Panther represented the first black superhero

snowballed from there. ‘You meet movie; it’s, like, so big in our community. To

more and more people, get more be a part of that, I think that’s cool,’ he says.

and more opportunities.’ DaSilva- Because Marvel shot the Black Panther movie

Greene worked on Guardians Of The at the same time as the Avengers films, the

Galaxy and Deadpool, as well as on directors needed another stuntman, which

smaller productions. Then, in 2014,

92 MEN’S HEALTH

FIGHT FAMILY went to black actors last year. Still,
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: DASILVA-GREENE ON THE SET OF CIVIL WAR; GRAHAM PLAYING BLACK PANTHER WITH KHALID GHAJJI, WHO DOUBLED actors and stunt performers are
KILLMONGER; DASILVA-GREENE DOING A FLIP IN WINTER SOLDIER; AND ANIS CHEURFA WITH HIS DAUGHTER MAYA pushing for more than just equal
representation. ‘I’ve personally
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF SUBJECTS led to Cheurfa being recruited. ‘So all three of 200 stunt performers worked on it, witnessed, you know, trying to paint
us got to play Black Panther... pretty amazing,’ including Toney and several other up white actors for stunts, right?’
Cheurfa says. All three of the performers say stuntmen who doubled Boseman in says Sampson, the actor and activist.
the films changed their lives and created and out of the suit. ‘There’s all these ‘Where I’m like, I know there are black
a monumental shift in the stunt world. dudes that were given opportunities people available. The stunts aren’t
and given the shot because they had dangerous... It takes people like actors
SCREEN TIME to be given a shot,’ DaSilva-Greene and people in higher positions of
says. ‘Before, it used to be like, “Well, privilege or more visible positions
‘Black Panther was very important both in front we don’t need the black guy.”’ of privilege to join in solidarity and
of and behind the camera,’ says Eric Sigmon, an speak out against those things publicly
editor of Black Action Stars, a website that covers As dismal as the past year and so they can change, and it takes
black stunt performers and other minorities in a half has been for the movie business significant investment by producers,
the industry. ‘Basically every major department, due to the pandemic, it also marked studios. Making sure we have black
a black person was either heavily involved or they a milestone as far as representation stunt coordinators and making sure
led the entire department.’ Sigmon adds that in Hollywood goes. For women and they’re invested in our liberation,
playing Black Panther required DaSilva-Greene, people of colour, 2020 was the first not just diversity and inclusion.’
Graham and Cheurfa to show proficiency in year that they reached ‘proportionate
a wide range of skills. ‘They can do physical representation among film leads’, After Boseman died, Marvel
stunts, falling, getting hit. But they also do the meaning that their share of lead film announced that it would not be
fighting stunts and the wirework and all this. So roles was representative of their general recasting the role of T’Challa in Black
yes, definitely a turning point.’ Prior to Black population share, according to a study Panther 2, and Cheurfa agrees with the
Panther, there were only a handful of black stunt from the University of California, call. ‘I think that’s the way it should
performers considered to be at the top of their Los Angeles. Among cast members have been,’ he says. But not all the
field. Now DaSilva-Greene and Graham say there overall, 2020 was the first year that former roommates feel that way. The
are dozens. The Black Panther movie in particular minorities exceeded proportionate decision not to recast T’Challa didn’t
created many chances for new talent – more than representation, according to the same sit well with DaSilva-Greene. ‘These
study. Nearly one in five of all film roles characters are meant to last forever,
and they do because we as fans see
ourselves in them, and to close the
door on someone so iconic hurts just
as much as losing Chadwick,’ he
says. Plus, he notes, Superman and
Batman have been recast over and
over. Remember all the Batmen?
Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George
Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck,
Robert Pattinson. It’s a tough one,
adds Sampson. ‘I think what is here
is an opportunity to allow black
creatives to create a character just
as iconic, or lift up a character that
is already in that universe of Black
Panther that will be iconic.’

Marvel knows how to keep a secret,
but there are already rumours (based
on existing Black Panther storylines)
that the third film might involve a new
Black Panther, and so the character
may live on. DaSilva-Greene, Graham,
and Cheurfa aren’t holding their
breath, though. That’s not how the
stunt world works. Instead, it’s the type
of job that always calls for having a bag
ready to go. One week, they might be
doing prep work in a giant gym in
Reseda, California. The following week,
they might get called to be the next
black superhero. This is the life they
dreamed of living.  

MEN’S HEALTH 93

Coref dinitkfIernIdofsycmtaoegluecrabdaobsomuon–n,u’tmtttahkeiittanlrt.lvceooHeunwoeonlsrtfnieouhae’srlra,seyyeIvlovlouoetsreuutorcraar’ytvmrnifioteonyhrsalssbniiiysnktnu,BeegesmsndleyyHtcboourtoauheevYnrauoendmureoge.rhd2tt5ot h

PHYSICAL GRAFFITI

The Joy Of Ink

Writer Steve Mazzucchi went from zero to 20 tattoos, fast.
Considering getting in on the body-art game?
Take the plunge, he says

Ispent more than three decades on a co-founder of Three Kings Tattoo,
this earth with nary a pixel of ink. says he’s seen the surge first-hand. His
Then one night, after one too many business had just expanded to London
cocktails, I woke up with an anchor on and LA when the pandemic hit. But
my left forearm. I should explain: I was those locations, plus three in New York
at an event with a free tattoo booth, and a new one in North Carolina, not
it was the coolest classic flash design only survived – they’re all thriving.
available and, being something of an
opportunist, I took the plunge. The ‘Tattooing in itself is a type of
next day, I had no regrets. The sting felt tribalism,’ McWatt says. ‘A friend of
kind of good, the lines were strong, my mine refers to it as “These scars we
reflection in the mirror looked about wear”. So they are giving themselves
7% more badass. I was hooked.   something after how much has been
taken from us in the last couple years.’
Over the next few years, I would wake We’ve survived things together, and
up with another, and another, and now that has a meaning we want to mark.
I have 20. After a few other traditional
staples – a nautical star, a swallow I’ve spotted ink referencing
– I graduated to some more creative flashpoints of these traumatic and
stuff: nods to memories and passions transformative times – from the racial
that I could see playing nicely with justice movement (a subtle ‘FTP’
other pieces, loosely interlocking like across the knuckles) to Covid-19 (an
one big jigsaw puzzle. unsubtle forearm message, ‘We Are
Still in a Fucking Pandemic’). Couple
Twenty years ago, my level of all this with Instagram signal-boosting
needlework might have unfairly great tattoo artists and ink has become
maligned me as a caricature of a sailor wearable art that serves a purpose.
or a punk-rock drummer. But these days,
I’m hardly alone. The tattoo industry Even if such pointed ink is the
is worth around £880m in the US and furthest thing from your mind, the
grew by 23.2% between 2020 and 2021, very fact that you’re still reading means
according to IBISWorld analysts. From you’ve likely considered it at some
Dwayne Johnson’s tribal art to Leo point or another. In which case, all
Messi’s arm and leg sleeves to Justin I can add is a nugget of insight picked
Bieber’s 60-plus pieces, celebrities are up while going from zero to 20 in a
considerably more tatted than their hurry. Getting ink is sort of like having
predecessors. Millennials, too, more sex: you want your first time to be
than other generations. A 2015 Harris perfect, but once you do it you mostly
Poll found that 47% of Americans have wonder what the hell you were waiting
at least one tattoo. (Gen-Xers: 36%. for. In other words, if you’ve been
Boomers: 13%.) So why tattoos now?  thinking a lot about getting a tattoo
and are telling yourself that you’re
Alex McWatt, the guy responsible just holding out for the right moment . . .
for roughly half of my pieces and it’s probably now.

MEN’S HEALTH 95

The Best & Worst
Tattoos For You

We asked four top tattoo artists for guidance on what
you should (and shouldn’t) get where (and where not).
Heed their words before you book your next appointment

The Expert Love It Skip It Best Spot Worst Spot How To
Choose
LONDON REESE ‘A rose. There’s ‘A compass. ‘Forearms. ‘Your inner A Tattoo
nothing more They’re They are easy to thigh. The Artist
(@londonreese) timeless than a hide or show off most sensitive
known for tattooing rose tattoo.’ overdone.’ and they are one areas hurt the According to Matt Lodder,
Machine Gun Kelly a tattoo researcher at the
and Pete Davidson of the least most.’
painful areas to University of Essex
get tattooed.’
O1
JON MESA ‘Dragons. ‘Infinity ‘Arms and The ribs are
They flow and symbols. legs, in one of the most SEARCH THEM ON SOCIAL
(@jonmesatattoos) They’re fads.’ painful places
No Idols NYC fit very well places that to get tattooed, Instagram is a better indicator
on the human get sunlight than even Yelp, says Lodder. It
Tattoo & Piercing, especially allows you to more richly inspect
also known for body.’ naturally. when you want
tatting Pete Feet, ribs and a large piece.’ and explore the artwork, as
Davidson palms hurt.’ well as how the artist or shop

FUZI ‘Homemade  ‘The finger ‘Your thigh. ‘The inner lip. interacts with customers.
tattoo designs mustache. It It’s easy for the It’s not worth
(@fuzi_tattoo) – the ones made was a trend. tattoo artist, and the money: the O2
Paris, has Avoid trends. you get to relax ink is likely to
outside of Especially on in an upright fade,’ due to CHECK FOR AN AUTOCLAVE
tattooed Diplo traditional shops, your finger, of position while the way the
and Scarlett because it’s often your artist works.’ skin in your This device sterilises equipment.
Johansson things I haven’t all places.’ mouth heals. Ask to see one. If they say, ‘It’s in

seen before.’ ‘A tattooed a back room,’ who knows how
hairline. It sanitary the rest of the place is.
CURT ‘My own, just doesn’t ‘The thigh. It Ribs. ‘From an
MONTGOMERY obviously.’ work on so has plenty of artist’s point O3
(He specialises many levels.’ space for the of view, the
(@curtmontgomery in minimalist, movement can PRIORITISE ORGANISATION
tattoos) line-based tats.) artist to get in the way
work with.’ of the piece.’ Clean, of course, is good, but how
Toronto, has inked tidy are the inks and equipment?
Halsey and Does each artist have a designated
Joe Jonas station? Is the place cluttered or
does it seem inefficient? The space
The New Tat Science: research once linked
tattoos to poor health. But a 2019 study in the where the artists work offers
International Journal Of Dermatology noted insight regarding the experience.
that ‘having a tattoo in general, and the features
therein specifically, are not significantly related O4
to overall health status’. Ink on!
TRUST IN GOOD VIBES
96 MEN’S HEALTH
The space should feel welcoming,
comfortable and trustworthy
to you (even if what that means
is different from one person
to the next).

PHYSICAL GRAFFITI

What My Ink Means Four men share the stories behind their designs

IAN LECKLITNER AUSTIN REED JUSTIN ROSKA BRETT WILLIAMS
WRITER SHIPPING MANAGER STUDENT AND WAITER MEN’S HEALTH US FITNESS EDITOR

The Tattoo A set of cherry The Tattoo A flying saucer The Tattoo ‘Not Made to The Tattoo ‘Hope’ written
blossoms, one on each palm. abducting a woman that Be Hated’, below his knee. in mirrored Morse code.
The Origin Story As a person incorporates a scar. The Origin Story Roska is Asian, The Origin Story ‘I reached my
with anxiety, Lecklitner knows The Origin Story In 2006 queer and an immigrant who breaking point at the end of the
how to cope – breathing, Reed broke his forearm playing says he’s used to feeling alone long winter of Covid-19,’ says
journalling, etc. Yet he wanted a football at school. The surgery and hated. Earlier this year he Williams. ‘My response was to
more constant reminder of inner involved two six-inch give myself a tattoo.’ Since the
peace. ‘Cherry blossoms are a incisions. Fast-forward began thinking: what are we pandemic made it hard for him to
beautiful, relaxing, zen flower to 2020 and as a huge made of? What aren’t we made go anywhere, Williams decided to
to look at in general. There’s the fan of all things UFO of? These questions (plus some do the piece himself using stick
symbolism of the flower itself, and paranormal, Reed and poke. ‘The first prick was
which is the fleeting nature of thought one of the encouragement from his both painful and gentle,’ he says.
life. Cherry blossoms bloom for scars would look cool tattoo artist and friend ‘Making that constellation of
typically about two weeks per as a beam coming out Curt Montgomery) led marks gave me a sense of control
year,’ he says. And he got them on of a flying saucer as to the tattoo. After I thought I lost, something I don’t
his palms because his hands are it abducts a woman. posting the ink on feel in a tattoo shop. My brain
expressions of his anxiousness. ‘It makes the scar social, Roska received quieted, and I was hopeful for
‘It serves as a reminder for me look much more DMs from friends and what else I might create with
that when I’m stressing out, it’ll pronounced and is strangers. He says they my own two hands, through
be over eventually. And maybe a great conversation actually thank him the pandemic and whatever
I shouldn’t take life so seriously.’ starter,’ says Reed. for getting it because came afterwards.’
it resonates with them

and their identities.

Not Quite Joshua Sakhai, a co-founder of Ephemeral, immediately with a strong scent of sage,
Ready Yet? says that its tattoo ink is absorbable through which I imagine is to calm nervous first
your skin and can be removed by your body. tattooees. After checking in, I had a short
One company offers ink that lasts a Men’s Health dermatology adviser Dr Corey wait before meeting with my tattoo artist.
year. Taylyn Washington-Harmon Hartman says the concept is intriguing: He had prepped my design on an iPad –
‘[The ink] would break down into smaller a slight alteration on the keyblade from the
asks if it’s too good to be true and smaller pieces and get carried away video game Kingdom Hearts. The process
by lymphatics, like how tattoo laser removal took about 30 minutes, felt just like getting
When I first heard of Ephemeral, I thought works.’ Ephemeral chooses to remain a real tat, and as I stood in the mirror looking
this US-based start-up was offering just tight-lipped about its ingredients, maintaining at my fresh ink, I couldn’t help lamenting that
another version of a temporary tattoo. Yet that they’re all approved by the US Food and it would last only a year or so.
Ephemeral uses a real tattooing needle; Drug Administration. On that, Dr Hartman
its tattoos are actually engineered to last says, ‘I feel like you owe it to the people What’s the catch? Not much, to be honest.
between nine and 15 months. you’re tattooing to share that information.’ As long as you keep it clean, moisturised and
sun protected, like a real tattoo, no one will
But as someone who has two permanent know it isn’t permanent. Consider it the
tattoos, I found that Ephemeral seemed perfect tattoo trial run.
considerably less risky. Its shop greets you

MEN’S HEALTH 97

5 Smart Tips You Can Always
To Know Change Your Mind

Before Your After a lifetime bearing racist ink, a tattoo shop offered
Next Piece Michael Kent redemption. This is his story

Scott Campbell has been inking since I was 17 when I got my first my heart and started walking away
the early 1990s. He’s tattooed countless swastika. Centre of my chest. from my neo-Nazi lifestyle. It was
celebrities and his work has appeared I went to prison soon after hard. I took my kids to a theme park
in galleries globally. Here’s his advice and got ‘White Pride’ once. I was wearing a tank top and
tattooed across my back. my swastika tattoos were showing.
on tattoos you’ll love forever I had to do violent things These guys behind me said, ‘Hail,
to ‘earn’ each letter. brother. Hail.’ I felt ashamed. I
People stress out about their first tattoo Altogether, I spent 17 years was afraid for my children’s lives.
and what they are going to get. They put locked up. I was never good I didn’t see them for two years in
all this pressure on it – they have to come at anything besides guns, case someone hurt them because
up with something, one thing that drugs and violence. of me, because I wanted out. I was
sums up their whole entire person. The hatred started haunted by what I’d done. One day,
A tattoo can represent one part of when I was really young. I tried to kill myself.
yourself, but it doesn’t necessarily A black man broke into
have to summarise everything. my house and tried to When I came back from another
rape my mum. Black kids family trip – I kept my shirt on
If you get a beautiful tattoo bullied me at school. When every day at the beach – something
that’s done by an arsehole, you’re came up on my Facebook:
never going to really like that tattoo. I was about 13, I started meeting Redemption Ink. They offered
I think being comfortable with the person people who said derogatory things to cover up a tattoo for free. I
who’s actually doing the tattoo is just as about black people. I was drawn thought they would just cover the
important as their technical competence into that. Third Reich. Fourth one swastika. But they covered
and their aesthetic. Reich. I started going to rallies everything. I cried. I thought:
and handing out pamphlets. I felt why me? Why do I get this second
Time and cost should not be part of powerful. I felt like I belonged. chance at life? I covered one
the decision-making process. If you can’t swastika with a black wolf and the
afford to get tattooed by the person you want After I was released from prison ‘White Pride’ with the Tree of Life
and feel good about, then save your money in 2006, I met Tiffany Whittier, my to commemorate my sister, who
until you can afford it. parole officer. She’s black, and she died when I was in prison.
knew my rap sheet, and still came
If you got a lizard tattooed on your face, to my house by herself to check on I still have nightmares about
people tend to forget your name and just me. She saw the pictures of Hitler who I was. I still ask why I get
remember you as that guy with the lizard and the swastika flags. She never forgiveness and not others. That’s
on his face. That can overshadow a lot of judged me. I couldn’t understand why I talk about it. It frees my soul
things that are incredible about you. But I fully it. This woman I’m supposed to to talk and inspires others to walk
hear myself as some old dad, preaching to kids hate is showing me more love and away from that path. My kids can
not to get their faces tattooed. treating me more like a human be proud of who I am now. Looking
than anyone else ever did. at my body, because of the new
I know what it feels like to go through tattoos, I can finally see beauty.
customs and have my After that I started to become
bag searched every emotional. I didn’t have the hate in
time because I’m the
tattooed guy. I’ve felt
the world’s judgment of
tattoos for most of my
life, and I would love to
have our reality be that
there is no judgement
about tattoos
any more.

98 MEN’S HEALTH

PHYSICAL GRAFFITI

Celebrity Your Aftercare Info
Tat Match
You’re officially inked up. Now, seriously: take care of your tats.
Dermatologists Roy C Grekin of the University of California San
Francisco, and Joshua Zeichner of Mount Sinai Hospital in New

York, explain how to avoid scarring, fading and stretching

DAVE BAUTISTA A WASH… GENTLY LUBRICATE BLOCK UV STAY VIGILANT

DAVID BECKHAM B As with any other Your skin During the first week Dr Grekin says to
wound, you’ll want post-tattoo is post-tat, Dr Zeichner look out for
to keep it clean to extremely sensitive
prevent infection. and prone to skin recommends itchiness, redness,
So wash your hands damage. So layer covering the area pus, or raised skin
on a second skin: with a bandage to – signs of an allergic
before washing Vaseline, which can prevent sun damage. reaction – for up to
your tattoo. Then also help stave off Once the initial six months after.
clean the tattoo infection-causing wound heals, you
bacteria. Apply may notice peeling ‘The body may
and the area thickly but gingerly. and dryness. Now decide it doesn’t like
around it gently ‘Rubbing of the skin it’s time to apply it,’ he says. ‘The area
yet thoroughly. itself can cause a mineral-based will get raised and it
inflammation around sunscreen with zinc may ooze.’ Dr Grekin
(Dr Zeichner the tattoo,’ Dr oxide that’s SPF30 says he sees fewer
recommends the Zeichner says.
Dove Beauty Bar.) or above. Dr allergic reactions,
Zeichner’s pick: because tattoo
Do this every Solara Suncare’s artists are using
morning and every
Clean Freak. better inks. Contact
night before a dermatologist if
applying an you notice trouble.
occlusive lotion
(see next step.)

RYAN GOSLING C

The Weakest Ink

Even if you’re doing aftercare right – abiding by the advice above
– you could still end up with an infection, colour bleeding or fading.

But you needn’t. Dr Zeichner does some troubleshooting

DRAKE D

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: MILAN POLK; SPENCER DUKOFF; MELANIE CURRY; JOSHUA ST CLAIR. RYAN REYNOLDS E The dilemma: The dilemma: The dilemma:
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; SPLASH NEWS; JOSHUA SPENCER; COURTESY OF SUBJECTS Moderate to intense Fading lines Colour bleeding
LIN-MANUEL F redness with liquid and/or colours
MIRANDA discharge and/or pus The diagnosis:
The diagnosis: A bad tattoo artist
ANSWERS: Bautista: E (butterfly); Beckham: A (Jesus and The diagnosis: A lack of skincare
cherubs); Gosling: D (Giving Tree); Drake: C (Halloween A bacterial infection The prescription:
pumpkin, praying hands); Reynolds: F (cannon); Miranda: B or an allergic reaction The prescription: Book another
(coffee cup). Start applying an
The prescription: SPF30-plus sunscreen appointment… with
Self-treat with a with zinc oxide at least someone else. The
daily, but ideally needle may have gone in
topical antibiotic such as whenever you’re going to too deep. ‘Unfortunately,
bacitracin. (Apply a small be outside for more than if the tattoo colour
10 minutes at a time. bleeds, the only options
amount a few times Some fading is inevitable are to go back to a tattoo
daily.) If that doesn’t work after you’re inked, but artist to colour over it or
after a week, it’s time to continued UV damage to attempt to remove the
see a dermatologist, who will wreak long-time wear excess pigment with a
on your skin – and the laser,’ Dr Zeichner says.
may prescribe a more tattoo within it.
powerful antibiotic
such as mupirocin.

MEN’S HEALTH 99