How it all started?

A Gambian Brother; Mahdi Njie has cracked the Male Modelling Industry.

Apart from being extremely “hot”, male models have to be at least 6 foot tall with a 40 inch chest and a 32 inch waist. The glamorous modelling industry is a world that many aspire to be part of it, to the outsiders, modelling looks like a never ending party. However, we do hear the high failure rates and the impossible way of life. To date few black top models are household names, for the females we all know Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks, of course for the men there is the only “yummy” Tyson Beckford.

The modelling industry has indeed opened up a little bit more due to reality TV shows that scout for young models. There is America Top Model and recently Africa’s next Top Model has shown us the most beautiful African girls. We have to highlight that all these shows future female models and our brothers still need a crowbar and chisel to crack that door.

A fellow Gambian Brother; Mahdi Njie, has ventured into Male Modelling industry and left footprints, they may be early but we are sure to see more. We were first aware of Mahdi through the face book network and Elegance Magazine jumped for the opportunity to know more about him. We contacted Mahdi and requested for a telephone interview.

Mahdi tell us a little bit about you?
I’m an aspiring fitness, runway and commercial print model and I am looking to network within the industry. I consider myself extremely ambitious and motivated in becoming successful in anything that I do. I also take my career seriously and I understand that I am marketing a look hence I work hard to maintain my fitness.

The modelling industry is wide, where is your interest?
My primarily interest in modelling is in fitness, underwear and clothing. I have also done a lot of runway fashion shows. I bring a new fresh face:

How did you get into modelling?
I was first noticed at the gym by one of Americas top fitness model / bikini model; Nicole Costa. She has won many fitness shows and has been featured on the cover page of many fitness magazines; her most recent cover page was last June on Oxygen Fitness Magazine. She was the first one to talk to me about competing on her first fitness show that she was hosting back in May of 2008. Even though I didn’t think I could do it, she pushed me and motivated me enough to do it. She told me that, I have what it takes to become a male fitness model. It was nice to hear her say that, but at the back of my head, I didn’t think I could and I gave it a try.
In May of 2008, I competed in the Fame World Tour for a male fitness model hosted by Nicole Costa. I came 3rd; out of Dozens of guys. My second competition was last year at the Fitness Atlantic in Hartford, I came out 2nd. I have an upcoming show soon. I will keep you guys updated on it.

It must take a lot to keep you in shape, tell us about your fitness regime and diet?
The gym is very therapeutic for me and when I am there I don’t think about anything else but to workout hard. I workout 4 to 5 times a week and eat 5 to 6 meals a day. It may sounds like a lot, but is not. With regards to my eating habits, I eat in portion sizes.
It’s not only about what you eat, but how and when you eat. Your eating habits play a vital role in how your body burns fat. Instead of eating three medium to large-sized meals per day, one should eat 5 or 6 smaller meals. You can even treat yourself at the end of the day with a small dessert.

Any dieting tips for us girls who want to still look young?
Here are some few tips: You should also always eat breakfast within one hour of rising. This is because your metabolism has slowed down during the night and breakfast will kick starting it up again. A lot of people think it is okay to skip breakfast because that means fewer fat and calories intake and one less meal for the day. But when you skip breakfast, hunger begins to kick in and that actually slows down your metabolism even more.

Another things is; they key to trimming down is not to eat less, but to actually eat more sensible meals. Eating more frequent, smaller meals will prevent you from feeling hungry throughout the day. And if you are eating fibre and proteins and drinking enough water, you will actually feel fuller for longer periods of time and will not have the urge to snack so often……

Mahdi any regrets so far; what advice do you have for aspiring models:
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself; “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” . . . This is my motto. I thank Elegance Magazine for giving me the opportunity to share my experience and shed more light about male modelling. You will be seeing more of me and my work. I pray every day when wake up, to be able to have the strength to do anything that I want to do.