On Friday, you became the Man of the Year 2022, how do you feel?
I’m happy, I’m happy and I take it as a big responsibility. At the same time, I look forward to what lies ahead.
What do you feel responsible for?
I must act, look, and act properly. The man of today must respect and revere the elderly and the women. In my opinion, this is still missing both in the Czech Republic and in the world. You shouldn’t be playing anything either.
Can you give an example?
For example, I was riding a bus full of people a few days ago. The older man wanted to sit down and asked the younger passenger to let him sit, which sent him to Hell. At that moment I was wondering where we live…
A man is not supposed to sit on the sofa and drink beer
And what exactly does respect and reverence for women mean to you?
For example, I do not agree with the view that women have certain tasks in the home and in the relationship. It annoys me when someone says that a woman has to cook, clean or do laundry. They can share responsibilities fairly. A man is not born to sit on the sofa and drink beer. They can cook together and then sit on that couch together, too.
Who should initiate such an equality of partnership?
It would be nice if a man came to a woman and said that they would take care of the family and children together. It is logical. When someone loves their partner, they want to treat her well and take care of her safety. But at the same time, I think this is the problem of the older generation than mine.
And what should a man look like in 2022?
Well, I would say that he might like me (laughs). No, I don’t think appearance matters much. It doesn’t matter if you have muscles or not. It is important for a man to have something in his head and not slouch.
Anyone can have a good personality
There is talk of a crisis of masculinity. Do you feel it yourself?
When I look at my father or grandfather, I wonder where there are more men like these. In my opinion, some kind of hard work and determination to take care of the family disappears. At the same time, I think it depends on the individual. Everyone can decide what they want to be in life.
If you think appearance is unimportant, why did you enter the beauty pageant?
I wanted to know the world of modeling. To try something new, not to be in the everyday stereotype of work and sports.
Often both women and men are looking for a specific example of beauty. You represent such a perfect beauty. What would you say to men who look at your pictures and have knots about you?
I would tell them that there is something beautiful in every person. I advise them to find what they like in themselves and develop it. But at the same time, I assure that everyone can have a good character – unless, of course, he is seriously ill – if he wants to. For women, for example, it’s just about increasing their self-esteem. Then it goes by itself.
I didn’t wear tanks when I was a teenager
Do you make a living as a fitness trainer, do your clients lack self-confidence?
yes. They come to me not only to exercise, but also to talk. I’m half a coach, half a psychologist. But it’s okay, it’s part of my profession. It’s all about the head above all else. When you feel good, you start to look good. Of course, practice is required, but when you feel good, change suddenly starts on its own. Don’t think that you want to change your appearance to look good, but to feel good.
Matej Švec
- Born in 1999 in Cesky Krumlov.
- He graduated from the Automotive Engineering High School in České Budějovice.
- Pass training exams and earn a living as a fitness trainer.
- In 2022, he opened his own fitness center in Cesky Krumlov.
- His greatest joy is a husky named Caesar.
Have you ever had a problem with your self-esteem?
I had a lot of self-doubt when I was a teenager. I was very skinny and depressed. I didn’t wear sleeveless shirts, only long shirts because I was ashamed of my skinny arms. Then I started working out, my self-confidence soared and my mental state improved. But I struggled with it a lot.
How long did it take?
About two years. When I looked in the mirror every morning and got ready for school, I thought to myself that I can’t go out that way, and that I look horrible.
Every man wants to have muscles
Do you think that the fact that appearance is a problem not only for women but also for men is not talked about enough?
Boys may handle it more than girls. Every guy wants to have muscles that look good in front of girls and friends. But muscle isn’t everything. I’m sorry I realized so late that the most important thing is to have your heart in the right place. The most important thing is self-acceptance. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and we should ignore the opinions of those around us.
So, would you advise a teenage boy with similar feelings to start exercising?
On the one hand, I would advise him to start practicing, but mainly to be himself. Don’t be ashamed of yourself, because we are all different. For example, I started working out, but not everyone enjoys working out. I guess maybe now I won’t feel ashamed of myself. I would like to stand more for who I am.
Everyone has time to exercise
Don’t you feel that beauty pageants are a kind of entertainment?
I’ve never seen a beauty pageant and never thought I’d be in it. I grew up in a village. I am a normal boy who went to school and played football. When I got older and started working, my friends and parents started to convince me to try a similar competition. I resisted for a long time, but this year I thought why not. It suddenly seemed like a good way to start your career and meet new people.
A 35-year-old mother of two won a women’s beauty pageant in Germany two years ago. Do you think there is a need to push the boundaries of beauty queens? In the Man of the Year, he is precisely from 20 to 29 years old and has a height of 175 centimeters.
It would definitely be great if the competition had more age groups.
Thinking of how you will look different in a few years?
I am very satisfied with that. I guess I won’t admit my age.
What advice would you give a man in his forties with two kids who says he doesn’t have time to exercise, but still wants to lose weight?
It annoys me when people blame their lack of exercise on the fact that they don’t have the time, or have a lot of work or kids. I had school until three in the morning, played soccer from six to eight and played soccer at nine in the evening. I went to bed in the middle of the night. Everything goes when you want it to and an hour of working out hasn’t killed anyone. Plus, you don’t have to work out in the gym, but feel free to do it outside or at home. It may be difficult at first, but once you get used to it, it will come naturally. A lot of people say they don’t have time, but then they watch two hours of Netflix.
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With built-in eyebrows, Sophia Hadjipanteliová fights bullying and beauty dictates Video: Aktuálně.cz, Instagram / Sophia Hadjipanteli
