Summer “Fit-spiration”

These sons of Adonis and personifications of Hercules may make us feel like we’re walking among gods on earth, but a closer look at them reveal that  they’re also just mortals — the kind armed with amazing discipline, whether in life or in the gym. Here are some of the most “fit-spiring” men to grace the pages of PeopleAsia. 

Hideo Muraoka

For Hideo Muraoka, remaining hidden from the world was not in his stars. Once believing that life’s successes were a game of hide and seek, the then 18 year old half-Japanese, half-Brazilian model soon realized that seizing the day was the way to go. Even with a unique fusion of features, Hideo not once considered a career in modeling. He was a working student (a law student at that) before he was approached by a modeling agent and made the big move to Singapore where he learned everything from the bottom up. Posing, smiling, dressing like a top model, being body-conscious and even learning the ABCs of English were lessons that were worlds away from law school lectures. Now with overflowing portfolios of campaigns, editorials, catwalk jobs, catalogues and commercials, it was courage, the acceptance of change, humility and a searing sense of independence that gave Hideo the push he was looking for. 

“When I left everything behind, I learned that life is constantly changing. Most people are afraid of change … I also believe we are the creator of our own life.” 

Edward Mendez

Edward Mendez is rightfully a Belo endorser. The living, breathing, heaving sample of a Sexy Solution is his own personal trainer. Edward wasn’t always the fine specimen that he is today, though. The sculpted figure was averagely pudgy until 2009 until he set fitness goals for himself for the next year. Earning a degree in Sports Science and Sports Medicine from the University of Maryland, Edward has since authored the book “Your Dream Body Come True,” which shares an insider’s advice for packing and sculpting a figure like his. 

“My vision is to transform every dream body into a reality.”

Derek Ramsay

With a strong jawline, unbreakable chest and unwavering gaze, Derek Ramsay looks like a rugged guy that’s all about toughness, but he is in fact, a whole lot of solid muscle with a steady head on his shoulders and a loving heart right at his core. Growing up with an English father whose first love was sports, Derek learned to appreciate the discipline needed for a fit lifestyle. Working out wasn’t just time for himself; it was time willingly spent with his father, a time for father and son to strengthen a bond. Getting up an hour or two earlier for a morning workout, keeping his Filipino breakfast lean with a tuna omelette and going to the extent of using the right skincare products – all of these are self-imposed routines he has for himself, routines that bestowed upon him his perfectly balanced looks. 

“No pain, no gain. I give my 200 percent in whatever I do.” 

Chris Everingham

Powering through rows of robust, charging men while cradling a ball in his arms and concenting on scoring is a totally ordinary scenario to him. Day in and day out, he epitomizes strength and stamina. Chris Everingham hammers through life with a philosophy worth trying out on and off the field. For Chris, it has all become mind over matter: good habits and forming the right mindset are non-negotiables when it comes to performing well, even outside the world of athletics. Chris couldn’t have earned a sholarship in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle, have become a member of the National Philippine rugby team as well as the director of Events Logic, Inc. without them, after all. 

“I’ve realized that good habit formation is critical so I’ve moved into advising on mindset, goal-setting and prioritisation, as well as perfecting time management as a better approach.”

Rio Dela Cruz

Rio Dela Cruz was born hitting the ground running. As the youngest child among 14 siblings, Rio grew up as a cog in a well-oiled machine where every memeber of the family had a responsinility to fulfill for them to keep afloat. It was only in the fifth grade when his school’s coach signed Rio up for a competition on a whim, and the 19 minutes to Rio’s first official finish line was all he needed to prove a point to himself. His new routine thus started: leave his Parañaque home at 4:00am, get to school in Quezon City at 6:00am to run before class, then be at the Marikina Sports Center by 2:00pm to run again. A Physical education degree from UP-Diliman, a lengthy roster of running events, a fiance, a series of commercials and a famous afro later, Rio looks back at this life not with fondness, but with knowing that he wouldn’t be where he is without it. For Rio, there was never just one finish line; he looks forward to more good things to come.

“When you run you produce happy hormones, like when you eat chocolate. The moment I run, no bad thoughts enter me. They’re all positive.”  

Andrew Wolff

The burly-bodied British-Filipino rugby player is further proof of the existence of the brains and brawn combination. Growing up in the UK, Andrew was well on his way to earning a degree in Computer Systems Engineering in the University of Bristol after completing advanced courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry and Latin in secondary school. It was on a visit to the Philippines that Andrew’s undeniably flawless form caught the attention of a modeling agent, making him a poster boy for a string of leading brands. With looks and leanness being a forte, Andrew juggled modeling with athletics, leading the Philippine rugby team in their first major rugby sevens tournament at 2007 Southeast Asian games in Thailand, helping them qualify for 2013 World Cup Sevens in Russia, and being ranked the highest scoring player in Philippine seven-a-side rugby. Andrew Wolff elicits all types of swoons and howls from admirers, full moon or otherwise. 

Ton Concepcion

COO and founder of Condura, Ton Concepcion’s driving principle is developing tons of durability. It was only on his 34th birthday that he decided to take running seriously, and much has happened since his first purchase of his first pair of running shoes. Among other things, Ton has quadrupled Condura’s profit in just four years, made it first in its category, and spearheaded the Condura Skyway Marathon in 2008 (the only marathon that is held on the Skyway) whose proceeds are given to chosen beneficiaries. For Ton, marathons are a great metaphor of life, guiding him in both business and personal affairs:  learning patience, respect, perseverance and, ultimately, durability, is the perfect formula for coming out a stronger person. 

“Life is compressed in a marathon” 

Jason Godfrey

Jason Godfrey may have been blessed with a god-like good looks, but it takes a certain kind of humility to admit that looks, no matter how stunning, don’t last forever. The Filipino-Canadian model has since experimented with life after modeling by testing his abilities in other creative pursuits. Jason has accomplished three manuscripts, worked on a travel show, and will soon try his hand at acting, but even those things aren’t top of mind for him. His biggest project is trying to get his memoir published that tells the non-modeling world about life as a model, through the eyes of a model. But at the end of the day, what Jason is really looking forward to is coming home to his family; relieving past times with his dad, eating a home-cooked meal prepared with a whole lot of love from his mom, bumming around with his closest of friends – these are Jason’s top priorities. His immersion in the industry that prizes physical beauty has not at all distracted him from the things that matter the most, the things that last a lifetime.

Neil Etheridge

Azkal goalie Neil Etheridge has some seriously meaningful goals in mind. Reaching celebrity status at a very young age in a short span of time, the strapping young lad from England never even thought of enjoying newfound fame and glory before giving back. From his very first achievement, Neil’s immediate reactions were to be grateful and think of ways to share his good fortune. His biggest project to date is The Neil Etheridge Goalkeeping School right here in the Philippines. With firsthand experience at winning games and being a symbol of pride for the country, Neil believes that there are more young Filipinos with the same potential. All they need is the right venue to train and the encouragement to push themselves, things Neil hopes his school can endlessly provide. 

“There are so many things that I would love to see the Philippines do in football … we can achieve our goals and become a stronger footballing nation.” 

Markki Stroem

Markki Stroem isn’t leaving just one mark; his involvement in a dizzying array of industries, projects and career paths has given him opportunities to make lasting impressions, as well as help fellow  Filipinos in just as many ways. Markki Stroem graduated with a degree in Marketing and Hotel Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education, and is mainly a singer, performer, model and actor by day. When the curtains close, Markki actively supports socio-civic organizations like Bossom Buddies (an organization that raises breast cancer awareness) and ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata’s Academy of Rock. As Markki shows us, gaining greater fame means gaining a greater threshold to give back. 

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