KEEGAN HIRST
What is the first thing you often think when you wake up?
It depends on what I’ve got on but it’s usually one of three things; get outside for a quick walk, get on the bike in my house or jump in the ice bath.
Coffee or Tea?
Generally coffee but I LOVE an afternoon tea.
Tell us more about your coming out story?
I came out in 2015 after being married and having 2 kids. I grew up in West Yorkshire and played rugby from being 11. Growing up in the ninetees I didn’t have any relatable role models and I didn’t think I was gay. I was in denial about it right up until being twenty-seven. Terrified of what it would mean if I was gay. So I pushed it down and hoped it would go away. My mental health really suffered and I contemplated suicide. After splitting from my wife I accepted my sexuality and told family, friends and team mates. It became front a page news and I subsequently went on to play the best rugby of my career and then started the path to where I am now. Right now I’m in a great place and have a great relationship with my kids, my partner and most importantly, myself.
We saw that you’re a multi-talented and multitasking individual as a father of two, a wellness/fitness coach, a rugby player, an influencer, and a partner. How do you manage it all?
Yeah, it’s pretty full on. Google Calendar helps! I think the important thing to mention here is that, yes, I do all those but I don’t put an equal amount of energy into everything all the time. Sometimes my focus is on training/rugby and coaching, so my relationships and social life have to take a back seat, sometimes my training volume goes time to give me chance to focus on something else. Social media would have us believe that we can live a balanced life with equal effort everywhere and manage it all and it’s just not true.
What time of the day are you most inspired?
Generally, the morning. That’s when I'm usually at my best.
What does Pride mean to you?
As obvious at it sounds, Pride, for me, is the opposite of shame. It’s a place where people go to protest against injustices against people on our community, in this country or globally, because they refuse to be treated like second class citizens.
It’s a time when people go to celebrate who they are with other people doing the same. Is it perfect? No, but I always wonder how different my life would have been if I’d have gone to a Pride event when I was younger and seen the outpouring of love for queer people. It still makes me emotional now.
Do you get bored easily?
Very. It’s probably the thing I have to guard against most. If I’m not stimulated by something I check out very quickly.
Do you have any vices?
I like to have a drink with friends. I’m not one for clubbing etc. but I do enjoy a nice gin or a glass of champagne. My relationship with alcohol is something I’ve been exploring a lot lately, it’s been such a big part of my life and rugby culture that I’ve always taken it as something that just is part of my life but I like to challenge my beliefs from time to time.
How did the podcasts come to be a part of your career?
I once saw that when a man explains something to a woman, it’s mansplaining, when a man does it to another man, it’s a podcast, lol. I like to talk and I like to be contrary sometimes, even just for the sake of it so podcasts just felt like a place to do that because you get the opportunity to have nuance which is something you can’t have on social media because people’s attention is short on there, but on longer form content you can get into the nuance of things that affect us as human beings and I love doing that. Happy Healthy Homo came from myself and Joel, my boyfriend, talking about relatable role models and we figured we could give it a try. It always feels a little self indulgent to start a podcast but the response that has been amazing.
KEEGAN HIRST
Do you read books? If so, what was the last one?
I LOVE books. I like to read non-fiction books from time to time, the last one of those was The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek but my go to is fantasy fiction. I’ve currently got two different series on the go, A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons and I’m on the second book of a A Court Of Thorns and Roses. I'm just a sucker for some magic and a dragon.
Rugby & sexuality aside, what else would you like to be known for?
I’d like to be known as a role model for young men. I didn’t have one when I was growing up and I think I’ve tried to become the person that I wish I’d had around when I was growing up so being able to do that for someone else is something I’m very proud of.
A quote that truly speaks to you?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Which is by Ghandi, I know it might seem a little on the nosel but I feel everybody is quick say why they can’t do something and how everybody else does X, Y and Z and yet they don’t take action themselves. We all have more impact than we realise.
Tell us the next move after your career in Rugby?
Maybe a model after this shoot? Ha! I’m just going to push on with building my coaching program and helping as many people as possible. I think in the modern world, particularly post Covid community has gone from our lives and, as a rugby player I know how important it is to have that team around you. Like minded people on a similar trajectory so helping build that with the podcast, coaching and social media, that’s what I’m excited about.
How would you describe your personal style?
Cool dad? Pretty basic to be honest. I generally live in shorts year round but otherwise you’ll catch me in jeans, t-shirt and a nice jacket. I’d love to say that I’m really adventurous when it comes to clothes but, unfortunately I’m not. I think my kids would disown me if I was.
Who are you inspired by and why?
Antony Cotton. Yeah, Sean from Coronation Street. When I came out, I had lots of people who wanted something to do with me because I was flavour of the month but Antony and his partner took me and my kids in and made us part of their family. He’s been on TV for twenty years and I’ve seen some of the horrible things that he’s had to endure but he cracks on. He’s been visible in the community for all that time and he's helped hundreds of men struggling in the Armed Forces. He’s always there to help people as well as the things that come with his job. And I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if I hadn’t had him in my corner.
What do you think makes one sexy?
Being able to have a laugh. So many people take themselves and everything SO seriously and try to maintain this facade of being unflappable and it’s fake and totally unsexy. Easy to smile and comfortable in their own skin generally equals sexy.
What do you do to relax in your spare time?
I’m a fan of going on scenic walks—which I realise makes me sound like an old lady but I’m cool with that. Reading or, on occasion I block out a full day and do nothing but sit and play computer games in my pants.
What makes you very happy?
Days out with the family, getting into nature, seeing my loved ones happy, those give me real joy.
Cat or Dog person?
Dog. We have two. Fen, the Italian Greyhound and Ava the Sprocker Spaniel.
What is your secret superpower?
I can do a mean rendition of Mein Herr from Cabaret with a full dance routine that involves a chair, a la Liza Minelli.
What is your current favourite product right now ?
Honestly, it's my ice bath. I hated it at first, but I’ve grown to love it and going from “I don’t want to do this” to getting in and doing it anyway sets me up for the day. I've been putting off ice baths for years too because I hate being cold but I’ve grown to enjoy it. I also love my SPF from Farmer’s Sun and my Casetify phone case.
What is your current favourite product right now ?
Honestly, it's my ice bath. I hated it at first, but I’ve grown to love it and going from “I don’t want to do this” to getting in and doing it anyway sets me up for the day. I've been putting off ice baths for years too because I hate being cold but I’ve grown to enjoy it. I also love my SPF from Farmer’s Sun and my Casetify phone case.
What is your idea of a Perfect Man?
Someone who acknowledges that they never will be perfect but strives for excellence anyway.
In this Story:
1-4. Keegan wears sleeveless jacket CARHARTT, Jacket LOOT VINTAGE, vest JACQUEMUS, boxers SUNSPEL, socks VANS, shoes MODEL’S OWN 5-8. Keegan wears Black vest ASOS, White Vest ASOS, boxers SUNSPEL 9-10. Keegan wears logo jumper JACQUEMUS, vest ASOS, boxers SUNSPEL, socks and shoes MODEL’S OWN 11-12. Keegan wears sleeveless jacket CARHARTT, shorts RALPH LAUREN
DIGITAL COVER
Photography / Creative Direction KYLE SPRINGATE, Talent KEEGAN HIRST at FORTE MANAGEMENT, Stylist ELLIE KATE WALKER, Makeup Artist CHLOE ROSE, Assistant SIMEON, ISSAC KIRBY and LOUIS VON MALAISE, Special Thanks to KINGS CROSS STEELERS RFC