In the world of fashion and artistry, few stories intrigue quite like that of Max Whelan. Born in sunny Brisbane, Australia, with a laid-back charm and a drive to explore beyond familiar horizons, Max’s path from local boy to landing his very first cover, and nude shoot, with Yummy is as daring as it is personal. Traveling all the way to Bali just to shoot with Sasha Olsen, Max embraced the adventure head-on. In this exclusive interview, Max opens up about growing up in Australia, stepping outside his comfort zone, and his hopes for a future where pushing boundaries becomes the norm.
The images are cropped/ made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummy Issue Ten
Photo story by sasha olsen, interview by Adrian Gomis Exposito
AGE. Hi Max! It’s great to have you here. Let’s start with your life back in Australia. What was growing up in Brisbane like?
MW. Growing up in Brisbane was great, I lived in the suburbs so I was close to the city and not far from the Sunshine/Gold Coast to get to the beach. Best part about growing up in Brisbane was the sports spending most of my childhood playing rugby and other sports with mates!
AGE. How did you first get into modeling? Was it something you ever pictured for yourself?
MW. Modeling had never even crossed my mind until my brothers girlfriend, who had worked with my agent, sent some photos of me to him without my knowledge. This eventually led to a test shoot and me getting signed!
AGE. Besides modeling, what are your biggest passions?
MW. My biggest passions would be fitness and building, I would love to be able to turn my fitness into a career and or own a business
AGE. How do you approach your fitness routine? Your body seems to be getting better and better, is it something you’re strict about, or do you keep it balanced?
MW. I try to be very strict and set goals to work towards, but I have found what works for me to be strict and not feel like I’m missing out by including all different kinds of recipes for meal prepping and changing the way I train weather it’s gym or Ironman training!
AGE. What do you think makes you stand out as a new face in this industry?
MW. I feel super lucky to be so young and still changing as I continue my modeling journey with a great group of people behind me who want to help me stick out and aim for the top!
AGE. This cover story you did with Sasha is stunning. How was the experience of working with him in Bali, and what does it mean to see yourself as one of the stars of this issue?
MW. Working with Sasha was so easy. His professionalism definitely elevated the shoot and we got along so well, it made my first time in Bali one to remember. To get my first cover doing a nude shoot with Yummy made me feel so confident in myself and very privileged to have the opportunity to show the effort I put into my fitness journey.
AGE. This was actually your first time ever shooting nude — and we can literally see everything, nothing left to hide! How did it feel to take that step, and how did you prepare for it, both physically and mentally?
MW. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but after about 5 mins I feel like I really embraced the au naturel and had so much fun shooting! My preparation for the shoot definitely consisted of the same foods everyday to stay locked in and lots of sunshine to make sure the tan was looking good.
AGE. Are you happy with how the shoot turned out? And what did your friends and family think about you doing something so bold — did they see it as part of the process and stepping out of your comfort zone?
MW. I am stoked with how the shoot turned out the photos I’ve seen look unreal. I can't believe it’s me half the time! All my friends are my biggest fans too so they’re all keen to try and get their hands on a copy! As bold as it was I think it was so good for my modeling career to give me that extra bit of confidence in myself which will take me further.
MW. I feel super lucky to be so young and still changing as I continue my modeling journey with a great group of people behind me who want to help me stick out and aim for the top!
AGE. This cover story you did with Sasha is stunning. How was the experience of working with him in Bali, and what does it mean to see yourself as one of the stars of this issue?
MW. Working with Sasha was so easy. His professionalism definitely elevated the shoot and we got along so well, it made my first time in Bali one to remember. To get my first cover doing a nude shoot with Yummy made me feel so confident in myself and very privileged to have the opportunity to show the effort I put into my fitness journey.
AGE. This was actually your first time ever shooting nude — and we can literally see everything, nothing left to hide! How did it feel to take that step, and how did you prepare for it, both physically and mentally?
MW. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but after about 5 mins I feel like I really embraced the au naturel and had so much fun shooting! My preparation for the shoot definitely consisted of the same foods everyday to stay locked in and lots of sunshine to make sure the tan was looking good.
AGE. Are you happy with how the shoot turned out? And what did your friends and family think about you doing something so bold — did they see it as part of the process and stepping out of your comfort zone?
MW. I am stoked with how the shoot turned out the photos I’ve seen look unreal. I can't believe it’s me half the time! All my friends are my biggest fans too so they’re all keen to try and get their hands on a copy! As bold as it was I think it was so good for my modeling career to give me that extra bit of confidence in myself which will take me further.
AGE. You’ve got an incredible body and a face that definitely has that Yummy factor. How do you feel you fit into Yummy’s aesthetic — with its focus on strong, masculine, elite male models — and what does the word ‘Yummy’ mean to you?
MW. Shooting for yummy really emboldened me to keep pushing myself to meet the yummy standards which to me is male models a class above others.
AGE. What’s your take on nudity in general? Have you ever been to a nude beach or do you usually sleep naked? Would you say you’re more conservative or pretty laid-back about being nude?
MW. I am definitely on the more laid back side of nudity, growing up around sports I would say I’ve been more exposed to it more and and fairly laid back to it. Although I can’t say I’ve been to nude beaches or anything like that, however I'm not opposed to the idea.
AGE. Alright, time to loosen up a bit. We’ve got a handful of quick, fun questions to peek into the little things that make you, well… you. Ready? Let’s go!
AGE. Three things always in your fridge?
MW. Lean beef mince, eggs and frozen berries
AGE. Your favorite song at the moment?
MW. Hey, hey, what can I do - Led Zeppelin
MW. Shooting for yummy really emboldened me to keep pushing myself to meet the yummy standards which to me is male models a class above others.
AGE. What’s your take on nudity in general? Have you ever been to a nude beach or do you usually sleep naked? Would you say you’re more conservative or pretty laid-back about being nude?
MW. I am definitely on the more laid back side of nudity, growing up around sports I would say I’ve been more exposed to it more and and fairly laid back to it. Although I can’t say I’ve been to nude beaches or anything like that, however I'm not opposed to the idea.
AGE. Alright, time to loosen up a bit. We’ve got a handful of quick, fun questions to peek into the little things that make you, well… you. Ready? Let’s go!
AGE. Three things always in your fridge?
MW. Lean beef mince, eggs and frozen berries
AGE. Your favorite song at the moment?
MW. Hey, hey, what can I do - Led Zeppelin
AGE. Favorite male model?
MW. Giorgio Ramondetta
AGE. Your rugby team?
MW. Brisbane Reds!!
AGE. Favorite food?
MW. Steak
AGE. Favorite part of your body?
MW. My eyes
AGE. Dream campaign you’d love to work on?
MW. Cartier
AGE. Favorite movie?
MW. Shawshank Redemption
AGE. Biggest turn-on?
MW. Tan lines
AGE. A smell that instantly makes you happy?
MW. Sauna smell / Cedar
MW. Giorgio Ramondetta
AGE. Your rugby team?
MW. Brisbane Reds!!
AGE. Favorite food?
MW. Steak
AGE. Favorite part of your body?
MW. My eyes
AGE. Dream campaign you’d love to work on?
MW. Cartier
AGE. Favorite movie?
MW. Shawshank Redemption
AGE. Biggest turn-on?
MW. Tan lines
AGE. A smell that instantly makes you happy?
MW. Sauna smell / Cedar
AGE. Weirdest DM you’ve ever received?
MW. My brother girlfriend asking if I’ve ever thought able modelling
AGE. The most used app on your phone?
MW. Spotify
AGE. Dream destination?
MW. Hawaii or Monaco (too hard to choose one)
AGE. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
MW. I’m about to be a qualified carpenter
AGE. If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
MW. Monaco
AGE. Before we let you go, we want to leave off on a deeper note, looking ahead, and reflecting a little on the wisdom you’ve picked up along the way.
AGE. What’s your biggest dream to achieve in life?
MW. Impact the world in a way that will leave it better than I found it
AGE. And what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
MW. The best piece of advice I’ve ever received would be to take action because waiting for the right time leads to missed opportunities
MW. My brother girlfriend asking if I’ve ever thought able modelling
AGE. The most used app on your phone?
MW. Spotify
AGE. Dream destination?
MW. Hawaii or Monaco (too hard to choose one)
AGE. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
MW. I’m about to be a qualified carpenter
AGE. If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
MW. Monaco
AGE. Before we let you go, we want to leave off on a deeper note, looking ahead, and reflecting a little on the wisdom you’ve picked up along the way.
AGE. What’s your biggest dream to achieve in life?
MW. Impact the world in a way that will leave it better than I found it
AGE. And what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
MW. The best piece of advice I’ve ever received would be to take action because waiting for the right time leads to missed opportunities
Online Interview, see the full photo series inside Yummy Issue Ten
