I’ve been more active on my Twitter this year, sharing more photos than ever before. In my younger days, I used to post pictures of myself in various stages of undress and underwear all over the internet. However, over the past decade, I gained weight and started feeling bad about myself. I hated the way I looked and didn’t feel attractive when I looked in the mirror.

I know that I’ve posted pictures and received positive responses from guys, but I wasn’t happy with the way I looked. I know many of you out there can relate. Whether you’re in great shape or struggling with weight like me, we all have our issues, and let’s face it: I still have mine. These issues won’t just disappear overnight.

In January 2024, I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes and had to decide whether to make changes now or deal with serious consequences later. I chose to make changes now and focus on my health to avoid potential problems in the future. I have family members with diabetes, and I’ve seen the impact it can have on the body. I decided to let this diagnosis motivate me rather than scare me, knowing that it’s possible to reverse these conditions. It hasn’t been easy, but I know that I’m doing this for myself and not for anyone else.

I’ve set a goal for myself, and I’m proud to say that I’ve already lost 60 pounds and dropped three pants sizes. This is a significant achievement, but my main goal is to maintain this progress and reach my target weight of 225 pounds. At 6’4″, I believe this is a healthy weight for me. I started at 337 pounds and I’m currently at 270. As Lady Gaga says, “I’m on the right track, baby.”

One of the biggest victories for me has been switching from XL to Large underwear (in most major American brands). While it’s bittersweet to outgrow my favorite clothes, I’m excited about being able to wear new brands that I couldn’t fit into before.

I still don’t take as many photos as Stevie or others on the podcast. I admit, I’m not great at taking selfies. JD, who has been on the podcast, says I can improve, but it takes practice. I appreciate the positive feedback I receive when I post photos, but I still struggle with seeing myself as an overweight guy who doesn’t look good in anything. Will this change? I don’t know, but I hope it will as things move in a better direction.

I also want to address how other issues can affect body image. I have a lot of stress in my life, with two part-time jobs and the search for a full-time job. Dealing with underemployment is stressful, and when I add body image concerns to the mix, it becomes all-consuming. I tend to hyper-focus on my body because it’s something I feel I can change, and it distracts me from other problems. Is this healthy? Probably not, but it’s a habit I’ve developed. When the rest of your life feels like a mess, it amplifies the body issues I have.

It’s important for us to come together as a community and have open conversations about this, regardless of our size, shape, or anything else. Even muscular guys and larger guys have their own body image issues, and we shouldn’t dismiss their struggles. Body image issues aren’t always rational; they’re often fueled by anxiety. We need to support all guys who are dealing with these issues. If you’re struggling, you can always reach out to me. My schedule may be busy, but I can make time to chat and provide a safe space for you to open up. It’s not easy to talk about these things for the first time, and you might feel like your issues are insignificant, but they’re not. They are unique to you and can have a real impact on your mental health.

Like you, I’m working through my own challenges and doing my best. I try to be open and share my true self with you—the good and the bad—because it’s important for you to see that even on days when I’m excelling with the podcast, I might be struggling mentally (like I was the other week). It’s okay to say, “I’m not okay.” I’ve done it many times. It doesn’t mean you’re not strong; it means you need someone to support you. When I know I have that support, I feel much better.

Sorry for rambling. I just wanted to share this with you. I’m trying to write more in the blog, but it’s been tough with my schedule and the podcast. I promise to do more soon.

Hey guys! It’s hard to believe that 16 years ago today, on October 6, 2008, I launched Underwear News Briefs (UNB). It was initially supposed to be a short-term project after I got laid off during the economic downturn of 2008. I thought I would work on it for six months, find a new job, and then move on. Little did I know that those six months would stretch into 2.5 years of unemployment, during which I turned UNB into a thriving business.

Over the years, UNB has evolved in ways I never could have imagined. It blows my mind when I hear from people who have been reading the blog for many years. When I first started, I used Blogger as my platform, and in early 2009, I transitioned to a self-hosted WordPress site. My mission was to inform people about underwear—new brands, sales, and all the exciting happenings in the underwear world that I loved.

Around that time, we saw an explosion of new brands, including Cocksox, Timoteo, and many more. The internet became a platform to discover our passions, connect with like-minded individuals, and build communities.

Reflecting on the past 16 years, I realize I’ve had many “eras” of UNB—much like Taylor Swift! Currently, we’re in what I like to call the podcast era. There have been many faces behind the blog; at one point, I had a team of nine or ten writers. Now, it’s just me running the show. Though life has gotten crazier, I’m proud to say that the blog is updated daily, though not at the same pace as before. My goal was once to publish five posts a day, but life circumstances have shifted that.

The podcast, which relaunched in 2018, has been a labor of love. We began the podcast back in 2009 but paused it until 2012. Even after relaunching, it took some time to find its footing. But now, it has blossomed into something that brings me immense joy. Yes, some parts of it—like editing—can be a headache, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

Many have asked me if I ever plan to give up the blog and podcast, and my answer is a resounding no. I can’t imagine my life without UNB. I hope to pass the torch to someone else eventually, but for now, I’m here to stay, and thankfully, you all still enjoy what we do.

One of the highlights of this journey has been the photoshoots we’ve done over the years. From holiday-themed shoots to swimwear showcases, I’ve had the chance to introduce some fantastic models to you. While some shoots didn’t go as planned (I’m looking at you, Valentine’s Day shoot!), I cherish those creative moments and hope to do more in the future.

Now, let’s talk about the store. For years, people have asked me about opening a store. I considered it in the early days, but the timing and resources needed to be correct. Flash forward to 2019, and everything aligned perfectly. The UNB Store was born out of a desire to bring great products to our community. It’s been a steep learning curve, and while it comes with challenges, I’m dedicated to growing this part of UNB.
Looking ahead, I’ve been pondering the future of UNB, especially since we’ve pivoted towards the podcast. The podcast is an essential platform for sharing stories and voices in our community. I never expected it to become the face of UNB, but I’m embracing it wholeheartedly.

I want to highlight diverse experiences and opinions in the underwear community. That’s why I love the “Brief Tales” segment of the podcast, where listeners share their personal stories. Representation matters, and I want to create a space for everyone—whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or anything in between. It’s essential to have these conversations about masculinity, body positivity, and everything in between.
The podcast may evolve, possibly incorporating video content in the future. However, I respect everyone’s privacy and understand that not everyone is comfortable. For now, our focus will remain on audio.

I want to thank everyone who has supported UNB as we celebrate this milestone. Whether you’ve been with us or just discovered us from the beginning, your support means the world to me. Hearing your feedback and enthusiasm and knowing we’re making a difference keeps me going.
Here’s to 16 more years of exploring our love for underwear, spandex, and everything in between! Thank you to all the brands I’ve worked with, the wonderful people I’ve met, and everyone who reads and listens to our creations.

Stay tuned for more blog posts and podcasts coming your way soon. Have a fantastic week!

We take you back to the first year of UNB! This is one of the earliest shoots we posted that Is still in my memory. It’s one for ES Collection and I loved the ski slopes background!

In today’s society, the concept of masculinity is evolving. Yet, it still carries a set of rigid expectations—especially regarding how men express themselves through fashion, such as underwear. One question that arises often is whether masculinity is defined unevenly across different sexual orientations. This issue has been present for as long as I’ve been writing the blog, likely much longer.

In the U.S., masculinity is seen differently than in many other parts of the world. When it comes to men’s underwear it’s often marketed toward gay men. The styles are bold, attention-grabbing, and expressive, designed to show off. But in recent years, more straight men have discovered a love for these same underwear styles. Some even love it more than their gay counterparts, but the reactions they face when they express this passion can be very different.

When straight men show an interest in underwear, especially if they share it with friends or on social media, they often face questions like, “Are you gay?” or “Are you trying to tell us something?” This response has less to do with the underwear itself and more to do with societal expectations of masculinity. Ironically, if a gay man wears the same pair of underwear, it’s usually accepted without question. People assume, “Oh, he’s gay, so that’s fine.” This double standard reflects a deeper issue in how masculinity is understood and enforced in society.

The truth is, no article of clothing—underwear or otherwise—is inherently tied to someone’s sexual orientation. In 2024, it feels absurd that people are still judged for their choice of underwear. We’re currently in a period of hyper-masculinity, where men are expected to adhere to rigid standards of what it means to be masculine. Things like wearing bright colors, bold prints, or non-traditional cuts of underwear can be seen as a challenge to that outdated idea.

But the younger generations are shaking things up. They’re wearing nail polish, experimenting with fashion, and rejecting the old rules of masculinity. Their courage to define masculinity for themselves, embracing what makes them feel good without worrying about societal judgment, is truly inspiring. This attitude is starting to spread to older generations as well. I’ve even seen men in their 40s and 50s wearing nail polish and adopting other ‘non-traditional’ forms of self-expression. Seeing this shift is not just great; it’s empowering, but we need the same acceptance regarding underwear.

A lot of men, both straight and gay, enjoy wearing skimpy thongs, bikinis, or bright, colorful briefs. However, there’s still a stigma, especially for straight men, that they’re only supposed to wear the basics: black, white, gray, or navy boxer briefs. Anything beyond that is seen as stepping outside the bounds of what’s considered ‘masculine.’ But here’s the thing—underwear is one of the few ways men can truly express themselves in their wardrobe, primarily if they work in environments where they must wear uniforms or business casual attire. Your underwear is something you have control over, and usually, no one sees it unless you decide to show them. Your fashion choices are valid and important for your self-expression.

As a community of underwear lovers, we need to stop judging others for their choices. It doesn’t matter if someone is gay, straight, or somewhere in between—the important thing is that they’re enjoying what they wear and expressing themselves through it. We should encourage each other, not question someone’s masculinity or sexual orientation based on what type of underwear they like. We’re all in this together, and there’s something beautiful about the diversity of people who love underwear.
In the larger conversation about masculinity, we’re at a crossroads. Old-school notions of masculinity, such as the expectation that men wear only ‘masculine’ underwear, are clinging on, but the younger generations are creating new rules. They don’t want to be defined by society’s rigid expectations, and that’s good. We should all embrace the idea of doing what makes us feel comfortable and happy without fear of judgment from others.

What’s particularly interesting to me is the difference in how gay men and straight men are treated when it comes to underwear. As a gay man, I’ve experienced the freedom to wear whatever I want, and most people will shrug it off with, “Oh, he’s gay, so it makes sense.” But when a straight man embraces underwear that’s a little more colorful or form-fitting, it often comes with questions and stigma. I’ve seen this double standard in action, and it’s something that needs to change. We should all have the freedom to enjoy our underwear, no matter who we are or how we identify.

Ultimately, this issue raises more significant questions about masculinity and how it’s changing. We must dig deep and ask ourselves why these stigmas exist, why we continue enforcing them, and how we can move past them. I plan to explore these topics further in future podcast episodes with other voices who can help provide insight. But for now, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

We can create a more inclusive and accepting society by breaking down these barriers. Please message me on social media, leave a comment, or email me, and let’s talk about masculinity, underwear, and how we can all work to break down these outdated barriers.