SUPER DRY

Iván Martín moved to Sydney from Madrid to improve his English and teach Phys Ed. In Spain he worked as a model, in retail, and as a topless waiter. In Sydney his profile was lifted by his regular gig as the barman on Live From Stonewall, the streaming va

Topless barman Iván Martín reveals all his secrets. All of them!

DNA: How much do you attribute your physical shape to not drinking? Iván Martín:

It’s the most important thing because alcohol has a lot of sugar. I prefer to drink water, sometimes Coke Zero, but lots of coffee. Ten years ago, I’d drink Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In Australia we put 30mls [of spirit] in one drink, but in Spain you can buy a whole bottle and drink in at the club. Here, the waiter is watching you and if you’re drunk he’ll stop serving you. In Spain it’s up to you.

If you started drinking, what would happen to your physical shape?

I’d have a lot of problems with my abs, more than the rest of my body.

Would you be able to drink a little alcohol and still keep your fitness?

Probably. If I drink a little I won’t feel too different in my body. It’s more in my mind.

If you gave yourself permission to have a little alcohol what would happen in your mind?

If I have one drink just to feel happy and I don’t feel anything because it’s just one drink, then I prefer not to drink. Maybe even with one or two drinks you may not notice anything much.

Do you think you would be able to stick to one or two?

Yes. It’s not the same with chocolate! I can say okay to one piece, but I can’t stop. Today, for example, I ate almost a whole big block… fuck! I prefer not to start because it’s impossible to stop. Dark chocolate is better because it has more cacao and less sugar.

What about your diet?

I am so sad with my food! I always eat the same things because I don’t have time to spend in the kitchen. Keeping fit is a full-time hobby. I only eat rice, chicken, egg white, oats, fish, fruit and coffee. I have one cheat day a week. I order three pizzas just for me. I have the same problem with chocolate and ice-cream.

Working behind the bar, don’t you have to taste the cocktails you serve?

Yes, like a chef has to know how his food tastes, but only a tiny sip.

Does not drinking make social situations difficult?

Yes! Everyone keeps saying, “Why don’t you drink? C’mon, just have one!” People offer to pay for my drinks but this is not the problem. I just don’t want a drink. Give me a glass of water. At a restaurant I’ll have a coffee or water or green tea.

Do you get left out because of that?

No, because I have a strong character and if I say no, it’s no. I don’t need alcohol to be happy.

But I’ve changed. When I was young, about 16, I learned to drink with my friends. In Spain, when you’re 16, 17, 18 you go to the supermarket and buy a bottle and take it to the park and spend all afternoon drinking with your friends. Here, it’s not legal to drink in public.

Are young people more responsible drinkers in Spain?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! In Spain, people are crazier because they don’t have any limits. Here there are rules. In Spain, no rules. When I was 16, we were allowed into clubs. You finish school, you go to the club.

Do you miss Spain?

I don’t. Covid here in Australia has been so >>

I don’t need alcohol to be happy.

>> different to my country. My mum tells me about the situation in Spain. It’s bad news all the time. Here it’s been so different. It’s not just another country, it’s another world.

How are men in Sydney different to men in Madrid?

Being an underwear model, I’ve noticed that guys in Australia don’t wear Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren. They wear

Teamm8 or Aussie Bum. It’s easy to find guys for sex here, but it’s hard to find guys to be friends. Guys here only want sex. If you want more it gets complicated.

How do you stay healthy in your mind?

I need to be physical. Sport and training makes me feel good. I studied two degrees in Spain, including a Masters, but I don’t like reading. It’s more important to have good friendships and conversation than spend time in books. I trained as a Phys Ed teacher and I think it’s so important for students to do team sport. It prepares you for work later in life. Football, basketball, any group sport.

What about spiritual health – do you have religious beliefs?

No. My grandmother told me about God but it’s not for me. I don’t have any religion. Catholicism was traditional in Spain but young people there don’t have any religion now.

What’s most important in life for you?

Being happy in everything I do. That’s enough. I don’t need more.

Relationships?

I’m single and I don’t have any problems.

Is it easy to live a disciplined life, such as yours, when you have a partner?

No! Partners don’t understand that I need to spend time at the gym. “Why don’t you go out to dinner with me?” “You can’t eat this or this or this.” If your partner doesn’t understand, it’s a problem. People like to go buy a bottle of wine for the evening, but in my case, no!

We all have moments when the world crashes down on us. At that point, how do you keep going with your fitness and your diet?

To be honest, it’s the only thing I need to keep my life on track – sport, the gym. If I have any issues iI go to the gym and it helps get my mind onto something else.

Do you ever get depressed?

No. I never feel depressed. I don’t know why. The only time I feel bad was when a relationship is over. You can’t control the feelings about that.

Do you ever feel uncomfortable being objectified?

No. [Laughs]. No!

So, when you’re doing a model shoot, onlookers don’t bother you?

I don’t have any problem. In Spain I was in wellknown TV shows so I’m comfortable with that. I’m shy with strangers but I’m fine talking to the camera. When shooting for a big brand, usually there’s a producer, director, make-up, already a lot of people. But for underwear shoots there’s not so many, maybe just a photographer.

What TV shows did you do in Spain?

The biggest one was Looking For Love. It’s famous in Spain and Italy. Similar to The Bachelor here, and Big Brother.

Did you find love on the show?

No. I was hoping to. I enjoyed the experience.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Fingers crossed, I’ll be a teacher in Spain or here. My life, as it is now, could end in five years – I’ll probably have fewer modelling jobs. I need to improve my English to be a teacher. I want to stay here. This country is my passion.

Do you worry about losing your looks as you get older?

Yes. In five years I’ll probably be bald! I can keep my body if I train every day. Muscle has memory. I’ll probably get a few more wrinkles on my face – that’s normal.

Botox?

I need to stay 100 per cent away from doing anything to my face. I want to be able to have expressions.

Do you want children?

Yes.

What would be the most important things you’d want to put into your kids’ lives?

When they’re babies, I’d just enjoy them. Up until 15 they need someone to say “no.” They need direction. After 15 we can do nothing. It’s too late after that! •

MORE: Find Iván on Instagram @mafuivan. Go to www.stonewall.live.

It’s easy to find guys for sex… it’s hard to find guys to be friends. If you want more, it gets complicated.