If our list of men before-and-after growing a beard didn’t convince you that males look way better with facial hair, this story definitely will. Gwilym Pugh was a 21-year-old businessman man who started a successful insurance company in his spare bedroom. However, working from home and injuries made him gain a lot of weight. 280 pounds, to be exact. But his life-damaging lifestyle changed after his barber urged Gwilym to grow a ginger beard!
“At that time I was pretty overweight, working 12 hours a day, plagued with injuries which meant I couldn’t train at all,” the Welshman told Kathryn Williams from Wales Online. “The business was doing okay, but I decided I needed to get my life in order and wanted to get healthy again.”
Gwilym and his friends formed a folk band several years ago. His barber advised him to grow some facial hair to look the part. In line with his new look, the freshly-baked musician decided to expand his transformation cleaning up his diet. The biggest change, however, was quitting his desk job.
“It was the best thing for my health as I stopped sitting for nine to 10 hours a day,” the man who lost 90 pounds over five years explained. As he was shedding weight and growing his beard, Gwilym created an Instagram account. Eventually, Welsh tailor Nathan Palmer stumbled across it, and things began escalating really fast.
Now, Gwilym is part of the London agency AMCK Models. He has worked on campaigns with Vans, Bud Light, Diesel, and other big names. His hard work even allowed him to become an ambassador for David Beckham’s new male grooming brand, House 99!
Gwilym Pugh was a shy man, working 12 hours a day from his home
But his life was never the same after Gwilym’s barber urged him to grow a beard
This is how the man looks now
“A picture says a thousand words…. Coming from being 22 years old, overweight, plagued with injuries, and unhappy barely leaving the house”
“I’m happier and healthier than I ever thought possible and doing things that didn’t even cross my mind to dream of”
Working as a model, Gwilym is even an ambassador of David Beckham’s new male grooming brand
Despite his success, Gwilym remains humble
“I think I’m lucky I got into this profession at the age that I did”
“I try not to get caught up in it all and my girlfriend helps a great deal wit that”
“Having worked in finance for years, the opportunity to work with creative people and travel around the world is amazing”
“It was the best thing for my health”
In keeping with his new look, Gwilym’s constantly maintaining his body
“Regular osteo treatment and morning mobility and HIIT workouts are what’s in order”
If this won’t convince you to grow a beard, we don’t know what will
