Get ready to be inspired, because fitness trainer Nick Davis is about to flip your idea of what it means to be a reality TV star, a dancer, and a fitness guru—all while rocking a mustache that’s stealing the show. From his athletic family roots to his spotlight on Prime Video’s Trainer Games, Davis is proving that strength, style, and a bit of facial hair can take you places. But here’s where it gets controversial: could a bushy mustache really be the secret weapon in landing a $250,000 fitness contract? Let’s dive in.
Nick Davis grew up in what he calls a ‘crazy athletic family.’ His dad and brother are Ironman champions, and his mom was part of the first collegiate women’s hockey team, the Pembroke College Pandas. Talk about a legacy! Now, this Boston native is stepping into the spotlight himself as a competitor on Trainer Games, a groundbreaking reality fitness show streaming on Prime Video. But what’s truly grabbing everyone’s attention? His marvelous mustache, which became an unexpected ticket to fame.
Davis, a lifelong dancer and fitness coach, boasts a physique that’s hard to ignore. But it wasn’t his sculpted glutes or chiseled pecs that caught the eye of the casting team. During his first call, a show representative couldn’t stop complimenting his bushy mustache. ‘I started to realize, this could be my selling point,’ Davis told Queerty. ‘If it’s going to get me a shot at that contract, I guess the mustache stays.’ And stay it did—eight months later, it’s become his signature look.
But let’s not forget the real challenge: Trainer Games pushed Davis and nine other elite trainers to their physical and mental limits over several weeks in Mauritius, a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. Fresh off completing his first Ironman 70.3, Davis is no stranger to endurance, but this was his toughest test yet. ‘It’s a mental game,’ he says. ‘You have to keep pushing, even when every part of you wants to quit.’
And this is the part most people miss: Davis isn’t just a fitness machine—he’s a Broadway performer, a partygoer, and a master of squeezing in 8-mile runs between Fire Island festivities. How does he do it? ‘I’m an early bird,’ he admits. ‘Working out is non-negotiable, even if it means running before anyone else is awake.’
But here’s the real question: Are male dancers underrated in the strength department? Davis thinks so. ‘People assume we’re just lean and flexible, but we’re lifting people half the time,’ he explains. ‘Strength training changed my career—it made me more hirable.’ And his go-to muscle to train? The glutes. ‘They’re not just hot,’ he jokes, ‘they’re essential for athleticism.’
Now, let’s talk about that mustache again. Its origin story is tied to Trainer Games. Just weeks before his audition, Davis decided to grow it out, despite thinking he couldn’t grow facial hair. ‘Everyone gave me flak at first,’ he laughs. ‘But now? It’s part of me. It’s even getting me work.’
When he’s not training or performing, Davis is a self-proclaimed foodie and theater lover. ‘I’m all about finding great fast-casual spots and catching drag shows,’ he says. His recent favorite? Apocalypse Noir in Hell’s Kitchen. ‘It’s unreal—three high school friends performing in drag with incredible talent.’
So, here’s the big question for you: Do you think a mustache (or any unique feature) can really be a game-changer in landing a dream opportunity? And while you’re pondering that, why not subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing mix of LGBTQ+ entertainment, pop culture, and eye-candy? Join 300+ members today and keep the conversation going. What’s your take? Let us know in the comments!
