FTM Transgender YouTube Star Aydian Dowling Wants to Inspire and Support

Aydian Dowling is on the cover of ‘Men’s Health’. (Photo: John Loomis)

Aydian Dowling isn’t a your typical YouTube star or run-of-the-mill health fanatic. The 28-year-old transgender man is the founder of BeefHeads Fitness, a collaborative fitness channel promoting a health lifestyle and wellness for transgender individuals. “It began in June 2010 when I realized there were no supportive outlets for transgender individuals looking into what it means to be fit and healthy as a transgender person,” says the vlogger.

Since its inception five years ago, 400 videos have been posted with 350,000 page views. Topics vary from protein consumption to bodybuilding to stretching, and everything in between. “It’s important to have a wide range of different transgender people at various stages of their transition sharing their health and wellness practices in order to support the diverse audience that look to us for support,” says Dowling, who started identifying himself as transgender in February 2009. He’s documented his evolution on his personal YouTube channel ALionsFears and continues to do so in present day.

Though Dowling has found support from online subscribers and within his community in Oregon, where he lives with his wife Jenilee, there have undoubtedly been obstacles throughout his journey. “One of the biggest challenges I’ve experienced throughout my transition has been attempting to be understood and seen for who I am,” says Dowling. “The best way I have learned to address this challenge was to make myself extremely vulnerable and transparent. I’ve discussed so many topics in my videos that have brought understanding to the transgender experience for thousands, including my own friends and family.” His openness has paid off and resulted in positive feedback. “Seeing the results of that, and receiving so many e-mails from viewers expressing gratitude for the awareness and understanding I’ve created for them and their own families, has been a major triumph for me,“ he says.

Dowling’s made-to-order clothing project Point 5cc Clothing initially served as a way to raise money for his Top Surgery; the sculpting of a more masculine-looking chest after the removal of breast tissue. After the procedure, he turned Point 5cc Clothing into “an actual company” where a portion of proceeds and private donations grant male and female persons the means for gender-confirming operations. So far, one person has been provided full funding for their trans surgery, with plans for more. The brand has also offered 400 free binders (compression vests) to FTM trans people in need.

There’s no question that the clothing business and Dowling are changing lives and spreading awareness. Outside of his YouTube, Twitter and Instagram following, Dowling recently caught the attention of Kenneth Cole Mankind who partnered with Men’s Health for the magazine’s Ultimate Guy Search. “Because of my transgender advocacy work, clothing company and health and wellness leadership, several members of my community reached out to me and suggested my entry into the Men’s Health Ultimate Guy Search, saying that we as trans men need more representation,” says Dowling. Though he didn’t win the spot on the November issue cover, the fitness fan remains proud. “I strive to create visibility for all transgender individuals and I knew this was an amazing opportunity to do that.”

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