Trans bodybuilder Aydian Dowling is a runner up in Men’s Health cover competition

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Trans model and bodybuilder Aydian Dowling is a runner up in the Men’s Health Ultimate Guy competition.

Dowling in August travelled to New York for a photoshoot as one of five finalists in a Men’s Health cover competition.

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He made it to the finals of the competition to win the chance to appear on the cover of Men’s Health, after coming first in the opening stage of the competition.

Dowling lost out to Tim Boniface, who he congratulated on Facebook, and still gets to appear in a spread in the magazine.

Writing on social media, Dowling said: “As some of you may already know, I did not get the title of 2015 Mens Health Ultimate Guy. Of course I hold feelings of disappointment for what could have been an amazing opportunity for our visibility as a community.

“The work we have put in the last 6 months was and is still completely relevant to our movement to full Transgender Rights and Equality. I would like to fully congratulate the winner – Tim, and ALL the other guys who shared this amazing journey with me! For their dedication to their communities and for the new family we have created. I would also like to Thank each and every one of the over 72 THOUSAND people who voted a Transman to the Number 1 spot on the Readers Choice List!

“Please do remember that this fight for Transgender rights, inclusivity, and visibility is not over! Our community, together with our allies, have made a big mark in the minds and hearts of the main stream media. We joined together and showed that we have a voice that is LOUD and PROUD! Let’s continue this fight and together we will all be embraced for our journey to authenticity.”

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Dowling recently recreated a famed (almost) naked photo of Maroon 5’s Adam Levine on the cover of FTM magazine.

His bio read: “Aydian Dowling, a 28-year-old transgender man, founded BeefHeads Fitness, a YouTube channel geared toward transgender individuals who want to get fit and healthy.

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“Dowling’s online made-to-order clothing company Point5cc provides free programs and services to transgender individuals. He also trains other transgender men in his hometown of Eugene, OR, where he lives with his wife, Jenilee”