Story of David Gimeno by Rhys Ripper
The Journey of David Gimeno: From Judo Champion to Modeling Sensation
FINAL DRAFT SENT TO DAVID
David Gimeno's path to becoming a sought-after model is anything but typical. Born in Valencia, Spain, to a French mother, David’s upbringing was shaped by two cultures, a strong emphasis on sports, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Before stepping in front of the camera, he was already mastering the art of discipline, dedication, and determination in the world of judo.
From a young age, David was surrounded by athleticism, and he quickly found his passion in judo, eventually becoming a national champion and securing a bronze medal at the European Cup. But as with many elite athletes, the pressure to maintain peak performance took its toll.
"I was struggling mentally at the time with my sport," David reflects. "I started getting injured constantly, and the turning point for me was when I broke my nose. That was when I realized that the elite sport life wasn’t meant for me."
It wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from a sport he had devoted so much of his life to. Yet, in taking time to recover, David found the space to experience a new chapter of his life. A chapter that led him to the world of modeling.
It was in 2022, while still a member of the Spanish judo national team, that David’s path took an unexpected turn. He had been sharing pictures on social media, capturing moments from his competitions, when a photographer noticed him and reached out. The photographer suggested that David, with his natural presence, could be great in a professional shoot. And just like that, doors began to open.
"I didn't take it seriously at first," David admits. "I was focused on my sport and my studies. But social media was growing, and soon photographers began to notice me."
Despite this, modeling agencies weren’t initially interested. David, with his height considered below industry standards, didn’t fit the traditional mold. But UNIKO Models believed in him, offering him the opportunity to prove himself. And prove himself he did.
Soon, David was working with some of the biggest names in fashion, including the legendary Bruce Weber, who reached out to him directly on Instagram for a shoot. What followed was a life-changing experience.
"Bruce Weber reached out to me directly, but I missed his message," David remembers. "He contacted my agency instead, and just two weeks later, I was in Miami shooting with him. It was a unique experience, and one I hope to repeat."
While David was still early in his modeling career, he found that working with icons like Weber gave him invaluable experience and confidence. Even though he felt he wasn’t fully prepared at the time, the shoot became a defining moment. And after meeting Weber again at an exhibition in Prague, David realized how far he had come.
"I didn’t have much experience then, but the photos turned out amazing. It’s something I’ll always carry with me."
Following this, David had the opportunity to work with Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca, the celebrated fashion photographer known for capturing some of the world’s top male models—including frequent collaborator David Gandy, Tyson Beckford, and Simon Nessman—and photographing major campaigns for leading men’s fashion brands like Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, and Hackett London. His lens has also been behind striking portraits of global icons such as Lenny Kravitz, Alan Cumming, and NBA star Ben Simmons.
David’s shoot with Anaya-Lucca is not just another addition to his portfolio—it’s the cover editorial that accompanies this very interview, marking another exciting milestone in his fast-moving career.
Alongside his flourishing modeling career, David is also pursuing his true passion: dentistry. Balancing both worlds—modeling and dentistry—hasn’t been easy, but David remains committed to building a life that’s well-rounded and fulfilling beyond just the camera.
“I’m currently studying dentistry, which is my long-term career,” David shares. “Modeling is incredible, but dentistry is my passion.”
And this is where his journey becomes even more interesting—David is not just a model; he is carving out a new niche for himself as both a model and an influencer. With a strong presence on social media, he uses his platform to inspire his followers to lead healthier, more active lives.
"I see myself as both a model and an influencer," he explains. "Combining both is essential in today’s industry. I share my daily life to show that you don’t need to be extraordinary to stay disciplined and active. It’s all about enjoying the process."
David’s authenticity shines through in everything he does. He is not trying to present a perfectly curated version of his life, but instead, a real, grounded one—showing his audience that modeling and fitness are not worlds apart but are achievable, relatable pursuits. It’s this down-to-earth mentality that has earned him a loyal following.
SECOND DRAFT
David Gimeno's path to becoming a sought-after model is anything but typical. Born in Valencia, Spain, to a French mother, David’s upbringing was shaped by two cultures, a strong emphasis on sports, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Before stepping in front of the camera, he was already mastering the art of discipline, dedication, and determination in the world of judo.
From a young age, David was surrounded by athleticism, and he quickly found his passion in judo, eventually becoming a national champion and securing a bronze medal at the European Cup. But as with many elite athletes, the pressure to maintain peak performance took its toll.
"I was struggling mentally at the time with my sport," David reflects. "I started getting injured constantly, and the turning point for me was when I broke my nose. That was when I realized that the elite sport life wasn’t meant for me."
It wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from a sport he had devoted so much of his life to. Yet, in taking time to recover, David found the space to experience a new chapter of his life. A chapter that led him to the world of modeling.
It was in 2022, while still a member of the Spanish judo national team, that David’s path took an unexpected turn. He had been sharing pictures on social media, capturing moments from his competitions, when a photographer noticed him and reached out. The photographer suggested that David, with his natural presence, could be great in a professional shoot. And just like that, doors began to open.
"I didn't take it seriously at first," David admits. "I was focused on my sport and my studies. But social media was growing, and soon photographers began to notice me."
Despite this, modeling agencies weren’t initially interested. David, with his height considered below industry standards, didn’t fit the traditional mold. But UNIKO Models believed in him, offering him the opportunity to prove himself. And prove himself he did.
Soon, David was working with some of the biggest names in fashion, including the legendary Bruce Weber, who reached out to him directly on Instagram for a shoot. What followed was a life-changing experience.
"Bruce Weber reached out to me directly, but I missed his message," David remembers. "He contacted my agency instead, and just two weeks later, I was in Miami shooting with him. It was a unique experience, and one I hope to repeat."
While David was still early in his modeling career, he found that working with icons like Weber gave him invaluable experience and confidence. Even though he felt he wasn’t fully prepared at the time, the shoot became a defining moment. And after meeting Weber again at an exhibition in Prague, David realized how far he had come.
"I didn’t have much experience then, but the photos turned out amazing. It’s something I’ll always carry with me."
Alongside his flourishing modeling career, David is also pursuing his true passion: dentistry. Balancing both worlds—modeling and dentistry—hasn’t been easy, but David remains committed to building a life that’s well-rounded and fulfilling beyond just the camera.
“I’m currently studying dentistry, which is my long-term career,” David shares. “Modeling is incredible, but dentistry is my passion.”
And this is where his journey becomes even more interesting—David is not just a model; he is carving out a new niche for himself as both a model and an influencer. With a strong presence on social media, he uses his platform to inspire his followers to lead healthier, more active lives.
"I see myself as both a model and an influencer," he explains. "Combining both is essential in today’s industry. I share my daily life to show that you don’t need to be extraordinary to stay disciplined and active. It’s all about enjoying the process."
David’s authenticity shines through in everything he does. He is not trying to present a perfectly curated version of his life, but instead, a real, grounded one—showing his audience that modeling and fitness are not worlds apart but are achievable, relatable pursuits. It’s this down-to-earth mentality that has earned him a loyal following.
Version 2: Interview Format with Intro and Outro
Introduction: The Dual Path of David Gimeno
In the world of fashion and modeling, David Gimeno is an emerging name with a unique story to tell. From his days as a judo champion to navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing fashion industry, David’s journey is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and adaptability. Today, David balances a burgeoning modeling career alongside his studies in dentistry—a passion he’s committed to just as much as his work in front of the camera.
But David’s story isn’t just about career achievements—it’s about staying grounded and true to himself through the ups and downs of life. He sat down with me to talk about his career, his goals, and what truly motivates him as both a model and an influencer.
Interview with David Gimeno
Q: David, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you transitioned from judo to modeling?
David:
"I was always surrounded by sports in my life. I dedicated my life to judo, becoming a national champion and earning bronze in the European Cup. But when I started facing injuries and mental struggles with the sport, I realized that it wasn’t for me anymore. It was a tough decision, but stepping away allowed me to experience a new chapter in my life, which led me to modeling."
Q: So, how did your modeling career begin?
David:
"It all started in 2022 when I was still part of the Spanish judo national team. I was sharing pictures from competitions on social media, and a photographer noticed me. He reached out and said I had the potential for a shoot. It was then that I began to get noticed more, but I wasn’t taking it seriously at first. My focus was still on sport and school."
Q: Your height is often considered below the industry standard for models. How have you navigated that challenge? Has social media helped?
David:
"Yes, social media numbers matter a lot, but I believe modeling isn’t just about height. I have a strong physique and a good look, which are just as important. Social media has opened doors for me that would have been much harder to access otherwise. It has definitely been a huge advantage."
Q: Are you focused on long-term modeling, or is this more of a stepping stone?
David:
"I’m currently studying dentistry, which is my true passion. It’s something I’ve always been interested in, and I see it as my long-term career. Modeling is amazing, but dentistry is where my heart lies."
Q: Do you see yourself as both a model and an influencer? And if so, how do you balance the two?
David:
"I see myself as both a model and an influencer because I think combining the two is key in today’s industry. One complements the other. I share my daily life to show that you don’t need to be extraordinary to stay disciplined and active. It’s about enjoying the process and inspiring good habits, like going to the gym or staying active."
Conclusion: David's Vision for the Future
David Gimeno’s journey is a reminder that success doesn’t come from fitting into a mold, but from staying authentic to who you are and leveraging opportunities when they arise. Whether it’s in modeling, dentistry, or influencing, David is committed to making a positive impact in everything he does. His story continues to inspire others to chase their dreams, stay grounded, and create their own path to success—no matter what obstacles they face.