Meet Men’s Health’s new transgender cover guy
By Will Stroude
Bodybuilder and model Ben Melzer has made history by becoming the first trans man to appear on the cover of a European men’s fitness magazine.
Melzer is set to appear on the cover of Men’s Health Germany’s April Issue after entering the magazine’s recent cover boy contest, and follows in the footsteps of Aydian Dowling, who appeared on the publication’s US edition last year.
“I started transitioning at the age of 23 and I always had a passion for fitness but because of the surgeries it was hard to achieve my goal,” Ben – who was born Yvonne – tells Towleroad.
“After about 3 years everything was finally done and I started to concentrate on my training and diet.”
In an interview with Bild.de, he adds that he hopes to use the platform to inspire other trans people ahieve their dreams.
“This is me and I’m very happy with the person I became. My inside and my outside finally fit and that’s why I’m not at all ashamed to talk about it” he says.
“Many ask me: Why do you do this, why did you public and tell your story? But that’s easy to answer. When I was in that situation, I had nobody to talk to, nobody to ask all [these] questions.
“That’s what I want to do. I want to give the community a face, stand up and answer those questions for people. If there is one person out there I can help, I will succeed.”
As a quick browse of Ben’s Instagram shows, he certainly fits the bill as a fitness inspiration too…
A photo posted by Benjamin Melzer (@egoshooter) on
A photo posted by Benjamin Melzer (@egoshooter) on
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