E113 - Lessons & Stories From the Most Successful Male Model Ever | David Gandy

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In this episode, the British supermodel David Gandy joins the show. The man who defined an era of male modelling reveals why he walked away from guaranteed money to build something bigger. After watching female models launch empires while male models remained stuck as "clothes hangers," he made a calculated bet: turn down the certain payday, take back ownership of his image, and build a business that would outlast his modelling career.

Now, at the top of his game, he runs his own brand "Wellwear" which has seen enormous success over the last few years, and it's only on the rise. David dives into his take on why AI will devastate the modelling industry and the coffee brand strategy that's generating more long-term value than any campaign ever could.

00:00 Introduction 01:30 Getting scouted late and breaking into male modelling 03:52 Early modelling stigma and the shift toward aspiration 07:44 Struggles with sample sizes and building a unique fit 11:36 Gym injuries, competitive edge, and learning to scale back 15:28 Training, longevity, and dedication through every era 19:20 Campaign prep, appearance tricks, and dietary tweaks 23:12 Behind launching a clothing line and early business lessons 27:04 Why fashion’s a brutal industry for newcomers 30:56 Collaborating without conflict and owning your brand image 34:48 Exiting M&S, brand evolution, and staying relevant 38:40 Modelling’s unpredictability and carving your own path 42:32 AI models, declining rates, and the future of modelling 46:24 Debunking modelling myths and why few succeed 50:16 Moments of doubt and surviving early rejection 57:59 Embracing discomfort, training consistency, and hard truths 01:01:51 Crafting a personal brand by staying selective 01:05:43 Designing legacy beyond his own image 01:09:35 Mentorship, new faces, and passing the torch 01:13:27 Aging, grey hairs, and why 30s are underrated 01:17:19 Escaping social media and the battle for attention

» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/ » Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/ » My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com » Custom Bioniq supplements: https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston • 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO • 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO

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