From chasing the dream of professional football to carving out a path in modelling and cinema, Sacha Lehouck's journey is one of reinvention, resilience, and relentless discipline. Beneath the striking physique and magnetic presence lies someone who values simplicity, self-improvement, and meaningful human connection above all else. In this conversation, the Belgian model and actor reflects on letting go of one lifelong ambition to pursue another, the mindset that has shaped his career, and the vulnerability that exists beyond the image. We also step into the Yummyverse to explore confidence, masculinity, desire, and what it truly means to be seen, not just for the body, but for the person underneath.
The images are cropped/made safe for online purposes, full images available inside Yummy Issue Twelve
Photo story by sasha olsen, interview by Adrian Gomis Exposito
An Interview with Sacha Lehouck
AGE. Let’s get to know you beyond the surface. Who is Sacha when no one is watching? What does your inner world look and feel like?
SL. I'm a simple person who's happy with very little! I'm a very thoughtful person who questions myself a lot. My goal is to live one day at a time and become the best version of myself.
AGE. You grew up in Belgium with dreams of becoming a professional footballer. What did football teach you about discipline, ambition, and yourself?
SL. Soccer has taught me to push myself every day and to be disciplined, and, above all, that talent is nothing without hard work and dedication.
AGE. You stopped playing at nineteen, which is a huge turning point at that age. What prompted this decision, and what did it feel like to let go of one dream and make space for another?
SL. My ambition was to become a professional soccer player, but by the time I reached a certain age, that dream was no longer achievable. I could have played as an amateur, but I’m a competitive person, so that didn’t interest me. I’ve always been passionate about fashion and film since I was very young, and for me, it was obvious that I should try my luck in these fields because having a dream is what makes me want to get up every morning.
AGE. Do you think the young boy who wanted a football career would recognise the man you've become today?
SL. I don't think so. It was a turning point in my life that helped me mature, and I think the 19-year-old Sacha would be proud to see the mindset that the 29-year-old Sacha has developed thanks to all of this.
AGE. You entered modelling and cinema at twenty-three. Was it a reinvention, or did it feel like another version of the same dream: performing, being seen, and telling stories?
SL. I think I've always had that dream in the back of my mind. I wanted to become a soccer player partly to be in the spotlight, so acting was the logical next step for me.
AGE. You've worked in both film and advertising. What excites you most about being in front of a camera?
SL. Being able to convey emotions and, for a moment, become someone else when the camera starts rolling.
AGE. Modelling and acting both rely on image, but in very different ways. Where do you feel most yourself?
SL. I'd say they're two completely different worlds, but I feel like myself in both situations. When the camera starts rolling, I switch off and become the real Sacha for a moment.
AGE. Your physique is clearly the result of discipline and dedication. How has bodybuilding shaped your relationship with your body, especially in an industry where appearance is constantly scrutinised?
SL. Bodybuilding is a sport in which discipline and consistency are the key factors for achieving results. So yes, it has allowed me to build a physique I’m proud of, and it has helped me gain more self-confidence and become mentally strong as well. In my opinion, the mind and body are connected.
AGE. You travel often and love discovering new cultures. What have other countries taught you that Belgium never could?
SL. Many countries have taught me that, in the end, and despite differences in language, culture, the country’s economic situation, and so on, what matters most for happiness is health and love. In Belgium, I used to think that was all that mattered before I started travelling.
AGE. Cinema seems to be your biggest ambition. What kind of stories do you want to tell, and what kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
SL. I hope to show the next generation that anything is possible with hard work and determination. I hope to achieve great things in this field and become an inspiration for future generations. And to prove that if I can do it, then anyone can.
AGE. Success means something different to everyone. What does making it actually look like for you?
SL. For me, success is simply being happy in life and waking up every morning thinking, I am proud of who I am and of my values. The love of my loved ones, good health, and making my family proud, that’s what success means to me.
Quick-Fire Questions
AGE. Three words that describe where you are in life right now?
SL. Determined, dreamer, passionate.
AGE. A film that changed something inside you?
SL. “Succeed or Die” by 50 Cent.
AGE. A song that feels like it was written for you?
SL. “Superman” by Eminem.
AGE. Something football gave you that modelling never could?
SL. Winning competitions with my team.
AGE. Something fashion gave you that football never could?
SL. Being able to be 100% myself.
AGE. One thing people always get wrong about you?
SL. I come across as pretentious at first glance.
AGE. A ritual that keeps you grounded?
SL. Listen to Linkin Park's “Numb” before every important event.
AGE. What does a perfect day look like?
SL. Sunshine, friends, a workout, the beach, and dinner at a restaurant.
AGE. A place where you feel most like yourself?
SL. At the gym.
AGE. Something you're still trying to figure out?
SL. Why people is never satisfied with what they already have.
Diving Into The Yummyverse
AGE. Without overthinking it, what does the word "yummy" mean to you?
SL. Something tasty and enjoyable.
AGE. The shoot you did with Sasha Olsen for Yummy Twelve reveals a very confident, magnetic side of you. How did it feel stepping into that energy? Tell us more about your experience during the shoot.
SL. I met Sasha Olsen during this photo shoot, and we became friends. I trust him completely, and he made me feel very comfortable during this shoot, which was my first time doing something like this. It was a wonderful experience, and I loved doing this shoot for Yummy. I hope to have the opportunity to work with them again in the future.
AGE. Every shoot has its unexpected moments. Is there a funny, chaotic, or memorable behind-the-scenes anecdote from this one that you can share with us?
SL. During the photo shoot at the villa, I had to dive into the pool for a shot, and without paying attention, I hit my head on the edge of the pool. It was more of a scare than anything. I just ended up with a bump, but luckily it happened at the end of the shoot.
AGE. You're someone who has spent years training and sculpting your body. How comfortable are you with nudity, and what does being naked represent to you: confidence, vulnerability, freedom, or something else entirely?
SL. I'm comfortable with nudity. I think that everyone, no matter what their body looks like, should be proud of their appearance and not feel self-conscious. That's why this photo shoot is important to me, because it shows that, despite our differences, all bodies are beautiful in their own way.
AGE. Do you enjoy being looked at, or is there something more powerful about knowing people are looking?
SL. Yeah, just like everyone else, I think! I definitely like being looked at. I tell myself that whoever is looking at me is drawn to me for whatever reason! But the most important thing is that I feel good about my own body.
AGE. You give off a strong, masculine presence. How much of that is instinctive, and how much is a character you can switch on and off?
SL. I think that comes naturally to me, and of course, being muscular gives me a masculine presence, but deep down, I’m a very sensitive and gentle person.
AGE. What do you think people fantasise about when they look at you?
SL. I think that's a good thing because it means I did a good job on this shoot, and that's also our goal, to make people happy.
AGE. What's your favourite type of underwear to wear on a daily basis? Do you have any special pairs for special occasions?
SL. I'm a fan of loose-fitting underwear because I love comfort above all else. And no, I don’t have a special pair, I always wear loose-fitting underwear, except for photo shoots like this one.
AGE. Do you sleep fully dressed, or are you someone who prefers sleeping closer to skin?
SL. I always sleep in my underwear so I can be more comfortable.
AGE. What subtle thing do you do that you know drives people crazy?
SL. I have a very piercing gaze, and I use it a lot.
AGE. Eye contact, a smile, a touch on the arm... what do you think is your most dangerous weapon?
SL. Eye contact for me.
AGE. Are you more seductive in a perfectly tailored suit or with almost nothing on?
SL. I think I look good either way, but maybe I look classier and more stylish in a suit.
AGE. What's something people assume about you because of your appearance that couldn't be further from the truth?
SL. What a superficial and pretentious person I am! I’m, above all, a simple person who listens to others.
AGE. What does it feel like when someone looks beyond the image, beyond the physique, and really sees you?
SL. People often judge us by our appearance and, unfortunately, don’t love us for the right reasons. When someone gets to know me and loves me for who I really am on the inside, it makes me happy, and I try to keep that person close to me because that’s what love is. And love is something that’s hard to get from us these days.
A Final Note
AGE. You're only twenty-nine, but you've already lived several different lives: athlete, model, actor, traveller. What are you building now, quietly and personally?
SL. Now I aspire to build a career as an actor and model. I give it my all every day to make my dream come true and leave my mark in these fields.
AGE. Five years from now, what do you hope people say when they hear the name Sacha Lehouck?
SL. That I'm a simple person and that I've been able to inspire many people to pursue their dreams as well.
AGE. If you could leave one lasting impression through cinema, fashion, and your work, what would you want it to be?
SL. I hope that, above all, my talent will be recognised for what it’s worth and that I’ll be able to represent my country, Belgium, around the world through film and modelling.
