UNB Model Profile featuring Phil Bruce
It’s great to learn so many different aspects of a model’s life past what we see in a photo shoot. Meet Phil Bruce. Our overseas model, personal trainer, exercise instructor, and football (American soccer) coach takes on each aspect of his life with passion and determination.
UNB Kyle: You have quite a list of titles that you bring with your name. Regarding modeling, what was your first gig and how did you come to get it?
Phil: My first piece of modeling work was done around 3 years ago, when a mate who is a photographer thought I would be good at modeling and do well in the industry, so I completed the shoot, really enjoyed the experience, and the rest is history.
Kyle: I think your friend knew he had good talent in you. Was there anything besides your photographer friend’s encouragement that made you want to pursue modeling?
Phil: It was originally through recommendations of people saying that they thought that the modeling industry would be a good path for me to go down. As my confidence in front of the camera grew and my physique improved, I became more open in regards to the types of shoots that I would do, which has opened up opportunities for me.
Kyle: It’s probably nice to see how much you have grown over these past few years in terms of your modeling. Noticing how you become more open and it opens doors for you is an important aspect for all newer models to realize. Which shoot do you consider your breakthrough in your career?
Phil: I would say that there were two particular shoots that really contributed to the success of my career so far. The first was a shoot with Gavin Harrison, that ended up with me featuring in the official calendar for Vanity Hype, and the other was the first shoot that I completed with Simon Barnes, as he is widely regarded as one of the very best photographers out there, and shooting with him helped to boost my level of publicity.
Kyle: Both are great photographers and have some beautiful shots in their portfolio. Any shoots that stand out as favorites for you?
Phil: I don’t compare photographers to one-another as they all have their own ways of doing things, and I have really enjoyed working with all of the photographers that I have done so far. But I would say that I do really love working with Simon Barnes, we have completed four shoots together so far, hopefully there will be many more to follow, and we have become really good friends from working with each other.
Kyle: I love that answer. You definitely understand how each photographer contributes a new vision and you don’t compare them to one another because of that. Have you had any shoots that you consider to be challenging in one way or another?
Phil: I haven’t found any of my shoots particularly challenging in the sense of the poses that were needed to be done or the people that I have worked with. I could say that my first few shoots were the most challenging as I was pretty inexperienced, and completing a shoot recently with food poisoning was a test too.
Kyle: Wow I am sure that was difficult. It is never easy going to work when you are not feeling well and I can imagine the same is said for that situation on set too. What about that most embarrassing photo shoot situation? Have you had one?
Phil: I’m lucky as there hasn’t been an embarrassing situation in a shoot as such, but maybe when I was having to do topless outdoor shoots in public areas with people around would be the answer for this.
Kyle: Yes, I can see how that can be a little embarrassing and uncomfortable. But I am sure after you do a few you relax and it becomes second nature. What kind of diet and exercise do you do to prepare for shoots?
Phil: To be honest, there’s no real diet that I follow just for shoots, as I eat a healthy, balanced diet throughout the year, and exercise on a daily basis. With the demand of the work that I do, it would be very hard for me to cut out food altogether or cut out carbohydrates, as I have found out from past experience.
Kyle: With fitness and football I imagine you get a good amount of exercise in and eat very well to stay in shape. 
But when you want to be bad, what is your favorite cheat meal?
Phil: This would be pizza and a bowl of ice cream, and I do like birthday cake.
Kyle: All great choices! With stripping down in these underwear shoots or even less, what goes through your mind right before you have to do these revealing shoots?
Phil: The thought that often goes through my mind before having to do revealing shoots is a combination of excitement for what doors these pictures could, and usually do, help me to open, and the potential one-liners that my mates and players who play for my football teams are going to come out with when they see them.
Kyle: Clearly, they will be jealous! You look amazing! Now we are an underwear blog so we are always curious about people’s preferences. Looking at your underwear drawer, what is it made up of? % boxer briefs, % briefs, % jocks, % thongs.
Phil: I would say that most of them (around 75%) are sports pants as I teach a lot of exercise classes, then the rest consist of boxers (15%) and briefs (10%)
Kyle: Underwear that fits the man and the lifestyle. How about the craziest pair of underwear you have ever worn?
Phil: That would probably the pair of boxers that have a picture of a tiger on the front of them (yes, I do still wear them).
Kyle: Haha aren’t you just an animal! Seeing who is out there in the industry, are there any brands or photographers you would like to work with that you have not worked with yet?
Phil: There’s still a lot that I want to achieve yet. including working with as many of the top photographers as I can, and becoming the face of big companies is an ambition of mine too.
Kyle: I think spreading it out with different photographers is a great goal because you experience so many different visions that it will really transform your portfolio into something unusual. What is something that your fans don’t know about you outside of modeling that you want them to know?
Phil: I think most of my fans know that I am also an Exercise Instructor, Personal Trainer, Football Manager and Coach, and I have my own Football Coaching Company called “The Phil Bruce Soccer School”. I have played football against Premiership Footballers, as well as training a footballer who has played in the final of the Champions League, and I have taught exercise classes to Professional Football teams.
Kyle: I love watching Football and it’s such a fascinating sport. Your dedication to the sport and teams is quite admirable. What are your goals for your career?
Phil: To set up Football Academy Teams for children at The Phil Bruce Soccer School, in order to allow Football to be played and enjoyed by children of all ages and abilities
To play and Manage/Coach Football at as higher level as possible
To set up my own Charities and raise as much money as possible
To open up my own Gym, giving accessibility and affordability for people of all ages, fitness levels and well-being to be a part of
To do as well in the Modeling Industry as possible, aiming for lots of publication and to be a face of companies
To help to get as many students qualified in their associated Fitness Qualifications as possible
To be as successful as I can be and help people as much as possible
To help to motivate and inspire others
Kyle: Those goals are impressive and show your character very well. You have a real desire and determination to help and support others reach their potential. We wish all the best for you in these endeavors. Finally, what is the best advice anyone gave you when you started your modeling career?
Phil: The best bit of advice I received was to just be confident in front of the camera and to keep relaxed with my poses. Also to give everything my very best shot and have no regrets.
Check out more of Phil Bruce below.
Phil Bruce Twitter / Instagram
Interested in having your model profile featured on Underwear News Briefs? Email me at kyle@underwearnewsbriefs.com.
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not ride up or skimp anywhere on the fabric needed to make you feel secure in your underwear. The waistband is thicker than many pairs of underwear as well, just showing how this is made for guys who appreciate more fabric on their underwear. The waistband shows off the JOR logo, complete with the signature star.
