Julian Fantechi splits time between two New York City public schools as an occupational therapist, a post he's held for seven years. He spends time at an elementary school and a kindergarten.
'I love working with children, interacting with them. They're so full of life. They really keep you young,' said Fantechi. 'You need a balance in life—you need to do something for yourself that you enjoy, but also something where you give back, helping others.'
And, boy, does Fantechi do that for the young New Yorkers, many who few him as a real-life superhero.
'The kids really look up to me, especially since many of their teachers are females,' Fantechi said. 'I always tell the students that I just eat my vegetables, that I don't drink or smoke, and that's the reason I look the way I do.
'I think I'm a good role model, and I'm happy about that.'
Some of the students don't know what to make of the muscle-laden Fantechi. 'They're just amazed,' at my size, he said. 'I just try to conduct myself in a professional manner: dress professional, act professional, etc.
'I interact with all of the students; I talk to all of them. I treat them with respect and they see that I'm just a regular guy.'
Ironically, Fantechi admits he first didn't want to work with kids. But, because of his scholarship to New York University, he had to give back three years of working time. And ultimately, he got hooked on helping kids.
'It's a great job. The hours are great; the environment is great. The kids are just great to work with; they're so much fun,' he said. 'To kids, I think every adult is a role model, myself included; it just comes with the territory. Whether you're a parent, an uncle, an aunt or cousin, or whatever, every adult is a role model, thus, we have to act and behave a certain way. I think that's very important.'
Fantechi has been a fitness workhorse for almost 15 years, dating back to his high school days, when he played football and basketball, and swam.
Fitness, he said, 'just becomes a part of your life, part of your lifestyle, kind of like brushing your teeth in the morning. And if I don't do it, I miss it.
'Lifting and leading a healthy lifestyle is something you can do forever. Sure, when I'm 50, I may not be able to lift the same weight I did when I was 20, but that's OK. I can still lift some.'
Fantechi's lifting tips are simple: Work out within your means. 'You're not competing against anyone else; you're doing it for yourself. Don't get discouraged and don't expect everything in one day,' he said. 'Working out in the gym is like being a sculptor, and your body is your clay.'
Fantechi's rock-hard body has landed him on numerous magazine covers, such as Men's Exercise, Advocate Men, Odyssey Hawaii … and also Playgirl, multiple times.
And this past January, he was named Playgirl's 2007 Man of the Year, an honor voted by the reader's from the 12 centerfolds of 2006.
'It's an honor, a great honor, a lot of fun. It's been a good thing,' said Fantechi, who appeared on the June, 2007 issue. 'This honor is something I can look back fondly on when I'm, oh, 75 years-old. It's totally cool.'
Fantechi admitted he wasn't too sure he wanted to pose for Playgirl because of his day-job, but the gig was pre-approved by his employers as long as he didn't advertise that he works for the school system.
Ultimately, the New York media learned of the centerfold's day-job, leading to a media frenzy.
'It was really surreal,' said Fantechi, who is routinely recognized on the streets of New York. 'It was funny, amusing and also a bit uncomfortable.'
Fantechi is single and straight, but definitely gay-friendly. He appeared in late July at Hula's, a popular Waikiki gay bar, where he signed copies of the Playgirl and other publications he has appeared on.
'I just press the flesh … well, not that way,' he said, laughing. 'I have no problem going to a gay bar. A lot of my friends are gay and I'm very comfortable with myself, and with who I am.
'I'm from New York; I'm liberal, open-minded and if someone's gay, so what? If they like my body and think I'm good-looking, cool, thanks; I appreciate that. But that doesn't mean I'm going to have sex with that person. The same way I have lesbian friends and I don't try to convert them.
'I think gay men are cool and most [ gay people ] who I know are pretty funny; they have a good sense of humor. They make me laugh, and that's cool.'
GETTING TO KNOW: Julian Fantechi
Age: 31
Hometown: New York City
Hobbies: Outdoor activities, such as snowboarding, surfing, hiking, traveling, biking and playing basketball. He also enjoys going to movies, museums and restaurants.
Favorite sports: Basketball and football.
Favorite athlete: Steve Nash.
Enjoys: Ethnic food, especially Thai food, plus sushi. 'I eat whatever I want to eat; I just eat healthy.'
Acting: He will be shooting a reality TV pilot in late-August, playing the therapist for his friend Paul Nicholas, a New Yorker suffering from multiple sclerosis. 'Stuff that we take for granted, even walking, is a challenge for Paul. Yet he always has a positive attitude. I really look up to him a lot.'
See www.julian-fantechi.com .
