Mike Rivera from Texas

Mike is outgoing and loves playing football and basketball. He’s only been modeling for about five months, but he’s eager to discover where the modeling profession will take him. His goals don’t end with modeling, though. He one day dreams of starting a family and he’s already working towards becoming a radiologist. In his spare time he enjoys clubbing, singing and watching movies.

Mike has been modeling for five months and I was lucky enough to be able to sit-in at his first professional shoot. “I just figured I’d try modeling and see where it takes me,” he explained. “I’ve got pictures on Model Mayhem and MySpace, so when I was approached by On Display Men I just figured, why not?”

Mike attained his physique through athletics and good, old-fashioned hard work. Along with playing football and basketball, he also follows a workout regimen of bench presses and abdominal exercises. “It takes desire to become a model, but it also takes more than that. You have to be willing to make sacrifices and work hard.”

Although rejection is something every model deals with, everyone handles this unfortunate aspect of the business differently. Mike is unfazed by it. “I don’t take rejection personally.” he tells me, “I don’t let it bring me down. Really, rejection just makes me want to work harder.”

On top of modeling, Mike has other lofty ambitions. “I’d like to be successful at modeling, and someday I want to have a family. I also plan to become a radiologist.” Mike credits his family as being his biggest source of inspiration. “My mom and my two brothers really help me succeed; they’re my biggest motivators.”

This model has a clothing style that he describes as “Abercrombie,” which he wears on a day-to-day basis. Mike is very focused on athletics, so it’s no surprise that he and his friends often play sports together during their free time. Among other things, Mike’s interests include watching movies, clubbing and singing.

Interview by by Angie Workman   Photos Ademar Young Photography