Dowling, who also started a clothing line to support transgender people, says he stays fit by heading out into nature.

\"On days ‘off’ I love to go with my wife, Jenilee, out on hikes around the Pacific North West,\" Dowling wrote in on his contest page. \"Although I also love my day to day routines, smashing through thresholds and sculpting the body, there is nothing quite like the beauty being outside can do to a person. I always have this sense of discovery and drive through my hikes that is unlike anything in the gym or the track.\"

Dowling, who has been writing about the contest on his Facebook page, wrote he was amazed when he quickly emerged as a top contender to win the contest.

I woke up today and WE ARE NUMBER 1!!! THIS is amazing people! Seriously, if we keep this up we WILL have the FIRST...

Posted by Aydian Ethan Dowling on Tuesday, April 14, 2015

He has not responded to an ABC News request for comment.

A spokeswoman for Men's Health magazine said they were excited to see the response to Dowling take off.

“We are excited that the Ultimate Men’s Health Guy contest is resonating with so many people,\" the statement read. \"Men's Health is a profound agent of positive change in the lives of all men. We can't wait to see how Aydian finishes with the reader vote--an important piece of the overall criteria--and how he fares with our panel of judges.”

It would be a first for the magazine.

Voters have until June 21 to make their mark, which is when Men's Health will decide who makes it to the next round of the competition. The winner will not only get to be featured the cover of the magazine but will also win a year's supply of the protein products.

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