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Fitness Guru, Ex GB Water Polo Player and Swimwear Model Ross Edgley

Posted Wednesday 2nd June 2010by Editor

One Nation Magazine’s Editor chats with Ex GB water-polo player, seriously hot fitness model and fitness guru Ross Edgley about his career, fitness and what’s next.

Best describe yourself in 4 words?

English, Italian, Sporty, Joker

I think firstly we have to talk about your water-polo career what made you enter that particular career path?

Well I used to swim for England when I was much younger, but age 13, when everyone started to grow 6 ft 3 plus, I soon realised that being built like a hobbit, lol (at 5’11) meant I was at a distinct disadvantage against the 6 ft 5 giants I was swimming against.

So I decided to try water polo…. Since I still loved swimming, quite liked having a fight and was quite fond of going to work in my speedos.

Your body is incredible (how could any of us miss it!) how committed to fitness do you have to be in your line of work, and how open about your body do you have to be?

Awww thanks. Well I won’t lie you’ve got to be pretty committed, whether modelling, personal training, or presenting… your body is your business. Luckily though I love training; the gym, the track, the swimming pool, love it.

And yeh, you’ve got to be pretty open… there’s a few times when filming or modelling when I’ve been caught on camera completely stark bullock naked, [laughs]. Funniest time was in the Bahamas when we were swimming with sharks…. Much to the dismay of the director and camera crew, I was the first Shark Wrangler to swim naked with reef sharks [laughs].

Do people you meet make certain assumptions about you being a in the modelling/fitness industry?

I think some people expect you to never touch alcohol, train 24/7 and only eat lettuce leaves, but most of those myths are dispelled when they see me at a BBQ, beer in one hand and 2 burgers in the other.

Yeah you got to train hard and eat healthy to be an athlete… but you’re also human, having a break every now and then helps you keep grounded.

The series you did BBC3’s Tough Guy or Chicken would you love to put your own series together with challenges?

That would be awesome! Would probably stick with the whole tribal theme as well, loved visiting tribes, running around the jungle in body paint… good times!

You are/have been fitness advisory to Gillian McKeith, the BBC, Cosmopolitan, Daily Star, MSN as well as many celebrities – what has been your best challenge to date?

Without doubt the whole BBC show ‘Tough Guy or Chicken’… in 4 months we travelled the world living with; the Cowboys of Ecuador, Reindeer herders of Siberia, Cave Explorers of Mexico, Shamen of Brazil, Shark Wranglers of Bahamas, Snake Charmers of Bangladesh and Shugendo Monks of Japan.

Was amazing, one week I’m taking hallusognegic drugs in the Amazon jungle as part of an initiation, the next I’m in Siberia herding reindeer in -50 degrees and castrating the male reindeer with my teeth….crazy!

If you had the choice of being a fitness guru or supermodel which would you pick?

Fitness Guru without doubt. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy modelling, but my first love is sport and fitness.

If you could be the face of any designer underwear/sports brand which would it be? And why choose them?

Honestly, it’s probably a brand called Reyzor Wear. I was actually lucky enough to model for them, they are this swimwear company based in Long Beach, California. Aside from the awesome location for some of the shoots, I got a tonne of the stuff to take home… really funky and colourful Speedos!

You seem very confident in your photo-shoots, how would you describe your model ‘look’?

I suppose I’m very much a Fitness model… as I said before, at only 5’11 I could only really be a fashion model for the kids range [laughs]. Also I’m quite built, so there is no way I would get into some of those designer clothes [laughs].

You have done some amazing shoots. What has been the best shoot, location, photographer and why?

For sheer comedy value, probably one with Joseph Sinclair, we had to do a summer beach shoot for a magazine… but it was the middle of winter. So we went to the beach, and I’m up to my hips in freezing cold water, trying to look like it’s cool and refreshing, when in all honesty… I lost all feeling in my legs [laughs]. Was a really cool shoot though, the pictures came out great and Joseph is an awesome photographer.

Reality Model shows and fitness programmes, what’s your feeling? Love them or hate them? And would you do it?

Yeah gotta love them. Not sure I would win though…. I’m very messy to live with, I think the other models would vote me out of the house [laughs].

What do you think is the sexiest part of your body, and do you show it people often?

Now this is a true story… I like my smile…. But photographers always tell me not to when having a photo taken, apparently I’ve a big mouth and it looks like I’ve a coat hanger in my mouth [laughs]. I still love it though.

What’s the biggest thing that embarrasses you?

My two brothers, they know exactly how to embarrass me. Whether Christmas, summer holidays or just with all the family round… they will find a way!

Modelling recently seems to have taken a more ‘risque‘ approach how risque would you go on a job if asked and how do you feel about “sex sells“?

Hmmm… not sure. All my modelling work tends to be fitness based. So although I have my top off, it’s really more for the inspiration side of things than the actual ‘risque’ aspect.

If you were asked to do a shoot naked for a campaign would you, and why?

[laughs].… errr, WOW! Really don’t know? See I’m fine getting naked as a laugh, like going streaking with your mates down the beach. But doing a naked photoshoot is something different all together. (I am sure One Nation Fans would love you to have a go!)

What has been your biggest achievement this year and what are you looking to conquer in 2010?

The start of 2010 has been very quiet for me… a lot of writing, directing, producing…etc. A lot of groundwork basically.

But later this year I’m re-launching rossedgley.com, have a new fitness video based website launching in the next few months (www.yourgym.tv) have several TV shows in the pipeline and doing a lot of work with my sponsors www.myprotein.co.uk, including presenting at the Fitness Body Expo interviewing Cage Fighters, Strongmen, Fitness Models and Bodybuilders.

So from now until the end of 2010 will be a busy one for me.

What do you what to achieve by the time you are 30?

By the age of 30 I want to achieve something that is best said through a quote from Bob Dylan, ‘A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do.’

Our readers are going to want to know are you single or attached, and how does it feel being adorned by so many gay fans?

I’ve been attached for about 6 months now, after a chance encounter on the London Underground [laughs].

And regarding Gay Fans, I’m about as Pro gay as they come, lol. Some of my best mates are gay, my business partners are gay, even the 2 talented directors I’m working with now are a gay couple. Big love to the gay fans. (Aw shucks, thanks!)

What’s your ideal night out or in and with who?

Sounds a little cheesy, but night in with the other ½, curled up on the sofa, DVD, good food and maybe a bottle of wine OR beach party, BBQ, wicked music and all my mates [big smiles].

Oh wise one… If you could give ‘all us guys’ one piece of advice on any subject what would it be?

Now this is going to sound strange, but you will thank me if you found yourself in this situation. When I was in Siberia, we were herding about 100 reindeer across 20 miles a day. One day I stopped, got off my sled and decided to go for a piss amongst the reindeer. Little did I know that reindeers LOVE the taste of urine in the snow, it’s like a weird snow cone.

So I’m there, with my trousers down, with 100 reindeer all charging towards me and my tackle…. I ended up running across Siberia, still trying to tuck ‘things’ back into my trousers, with 100 reindeer chasing me.

Moral of the story: If you’re going to go to the toilet around reindeer, do it where they can’t see!

Thanks for chatting with us Ross. I am sure people can see from the amount of laughs during the interview it was fantastic chatting to you.

NOW… Our final BIG QUESTION which you know nothing about [At this point Ross looks worried! but again laughs!]. Would you write some advice features and do a couple of video’s for our One Nation Magazine followers?

[A pause! then laughs!]. I’d be more than honoured, really I would guys!

Ross Edgley – Biography

Ross began his career as an International athlete, playing Water Polo for Great Britain. During his 5 year career he had 26 International appearances, played all over the world, got a Sports Science Degree from the Loughborough University and even managed to find time to fit in several swimwear modelling campaigns as well.

Now since graduating from University and leaving the world of competitive international sport behind, Ross has gone on to write for a range of publications, fitness model for many different magazines, fitness advise celebrities such as World renowned TV Nutritionist Gillian McKeith, and more recently has moved into the world of television… producing, directing and presenting a lot of his own shows. Like “Welcome to the Fight Club“ a documentary in which Ross sets out to see if it’s possible to get into the ring and fight a local boxing champion after only after 3 hours of training. The documentary was shown on Sky and featured celebrity boxing coach Ricky English, the same man who trained Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Ray Winston.

Perhaps Ross’ biggest project to date was BBC’s Factual Entertainment Series ‘Tough Guy or Chicken,’ a show where Ross and 4 other young athletes travelled the world taking on some of the most deadly creatures and hostile places on the planet.