After becoming famous for his youthful appearance, Singaporean model and photographer, Mr Chuando Tan has released a new 224-page Chinese hardcover book titled “You Don’t Have To Win Every Time”.
It is his first pictorial book and features self-care tips, including grooming, diet, and mental well-being, alongside sizzling topless photos taken by his longtime collaborator, photographer Mr Frey Ow.
Mr Tan’s rise to fame began when a Chinese news website discovered his Instagram account and published articles about his age-defying looks.
International media soon caught on, and at the age of 51, he became a sensation, with outlets publishing articles on how he looked 30.
Now 57, Mr Tan’s book, released in mid-April 2023, offers insights into how he maintains his flawless appearance and provides visual evidence in the form of his half-naked photos.
The book can be purchased for $34.90 at Books Kinokuniya Singapore or through the link in his Instagram bio.
Took Some Courage to Publish Book
According to Mr Tan, Taiwanese publisher Kadokawa Taiwan Corporation had courted him for two years before he finally agreed to the book deal.
In August 2022, Mr Ow photographed Mr Tan emerging from the waters in the Maldives and Bali, capturing his sculpted torso in slow motion for his new book.
Despite his seemingly perfect physique, Mr Tan believes his body is still not in “top-notch” shape compared to other fitness models.
He acknowledges that he still has belly fat, like everyone else, and his physique is less than perfect compared to the fitness models he admires.
Under his contract with Kadokawa Taiwan Corporation, Mr Tan’s book will be marketed in various locations, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Singapore.
This perhaps spurred Mr Tan to train even harder for the pictorial shoots, as he had insecurities about his body and wasn’t sure if his physique was good enough to be featured in a book of this scale.
Contrary to his statements, he had weighed 80kg at the point of the shoot, an ideal weight for someone towering at 1.85m.
However, he made it clear that he did not push himself beyond his limits, given that he was already approaching 60 years of age.
He has also been taking it easy at the gym due to a shoulder injury he sustained while carrying weights during the pandemic.
Mr Tan added that he did not want to promote unrealistic expectations for people in his age range.
He believes that doing so could pressure readers to meet unattainable standards, which he finds unnatural.
The Book Contains Self-Maintenance Tips
Mr Tan first gained fame in 2017 for his youthful appearance that belied his actual age of 51. His looks were covered by various media outlets, leading to a surge in his Instagram following to 1.2 million.
In addition to his social media success, he ventured into acting and debuted in 2021 with the daring mystery-thriller film Precious Is The Night.
In the film, Mr Tan fearlessly tackled intimate scenes involving nudity and sex.
Expectedly, Mr Tan who is not currently signed to any artiste management agency, is no regular Joe and is an ex-model who now owns a professional photography business with his partner, Mr Ow.
Their clientele includes big names such as Jalouse, Muse, Numéro & Numéro Homme, and L’Officiel & L’Officiel Hommes.
To maintain his flawless appearance, Mr Tan adheres to a daily routine involving morning exercise before starting work.
While exercise may not appeal to everyone, Mr Tan’s tips for self-care and preservation of looks are detailed in his new book, which can benefit regular Joes like you and me who may not have won in the genetic lottery of good looks.
However, Mr Tan emphasises that he is not a grooming or health expert and urges readers to take his advice carefully.
He states that he only shares tips that have worked for him over the years and wrote the book in response to the many questions he regularly receives from his curious Instagram followers.
Sensible Diet and Regulated Exercise Routine Key to Flawless Appearance
As expected, maintaining his looks requires a disciplined approach to diet and exercise.
Mr Tan believes that consuming protein is crucial for his appearance and regularly includes boiled egg whites in his meals.
He also regulates his diet by consuming chicken, fish soup, and a small amount of rice for carbohydrates while drinking plain water for hydration.
He avoids coffee, tea, alcohol, and smoking but occasionally indulges in durians and ice cream.
Moreover, Mr Tan hits the gym up to five times a week, spending a maximum of one and a half hours per session on a productive week.
Otherwise, he typically works out three times a week and avoids running due to a past knee injury.
Instead, he does cardio through speed walking on the treadmill and swims to achieve his toned physique.
Regular Grooming & Healthy Mindset Important
Despite his youthful appearance, Mr Tan’s skincare routine is surprisingly simple due to his sensitive skin.
He uses only a small amount of cleanser to wash his face to not strip away its natural oils.
Additionally, he has a regular “upkeeping” routine where he dyes his hair, moustache, and goatee black to cover up any grey strands that appear.
However, Mr Tan believes that a positive mindset is the most important factor in looking and feeling young, which is reflected in the title of his book.
He learned the importance of cultivating a healthy mindset while running his modelling agency, Ave Management, and stresses the detrimental effects of stress and pessimism on mental health.
Mr Tan advises individuals to let go of small grievances and cultivate inner peace, as habitual frowning and squinting can form wrinkles over time.
By avoiding stress and negativity, he states that individuals can maintain a more youthful appearance and enjoy a happier, healthier life.
Other Hunkles of Singapore
Mr Tan is not the only Singaporean hunk who looks “good for their age”.
The internet was abuzz in 2020 when 61-year-old former heartthrob and actor, Mr Edmund Chen, shared a photo of his toned physique, complete with defined abs.
In an interesting twist, Mr Chen revealed that he does not frequent the gym, preferring instead to exercise in the great outdoors, surrounded by nature.
Mr Chen’s fitness journey began after his wife, the actress Xiang Yun, and their two children encouraged him to adopt a regular exercise routine.
Currently, he does 300 repetitions of push-ups and sit-ups daily on the beach at East Coast Park.
Similarly, as the original hunkle (hunk + uncle) in Singapore, Mr Zheng Ge Ping, an actor, producer, and director, is also the ambassador for Abbott’s Ensure Stand4Strength movement.
As a prominent figure for middle-aged men, Mr Zheng promotes fitness.
He encourages muscle building while inspiring people of all ages to adopt healthy habits in terms of diet and exercise.
Despite his age, he maintains a rigorous fitness regimen that includes resistance training and cardio, and he is committed to raising awareness about the importance of physical health.
Why Do Some People Look Younger Than Their Age?
It is common for many people to desire a youthful appearance as they age. However, it’s important to understand that ageing is a natural process that cannot be controlled.
Every living thing, including humans, undergoes this process.
Some people may tend to look older than they are, while others of the same age may look considerably younger due to differences in the acceleration of their biological age relative to their chronological age.
Both genetics and lifestyle-related factors have an influence on the upkeep of a “youthful” appearance.
A 2016 study showed that multiple genetic variations in the MCR1 gene, which is related to skin ageing and melanin production, are strongly associated with perceived age.
Furthermore, echoing the sentiment shared by Mr Tan, a study published in 2015 in the British Journal of Dermatology found that lifestyle habits can also significantly impact perceived age.
Detrimental habits like smoking and regular sun exposure can accelerate biological age, while regular oral treatments and skin hydration can help slow it down.
In addition to publishing his book in April 2023, Mr Tan, who holds a graphic design diploma from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, is now occupied with his foray into non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
In a bid to venture into the expanding NFT market, he has created a fantastical narrative that features four characters, including his “baby” and “son”, the heroic Charcoal Mako, who possesses special abilities.
Mr Tan originally planned to launch this project at the end of 2022.
Furthermore, he is presently working on his second self-help book in English, featuring fresh content and images, set to release at the end of 2023.
His work aims to motivate individuals to lead a healthy lifestyle.