10 Questions With: IMG Model Zach Miko

There are a lot of things I love: ice cream, designer bags, talking about myself. But too much of a good thing is sometimes, well, too much. So I decided to start a series where I interview OTHER movers and shakers in the big and tall world and ask them all the same ten questions.

Who better to launch this series with other than Zach Miko? Zach made headlines (literally - Vogue, People, Good Morning America, etc. etc.) in 2016 when he signed to IMG as the agency's first-ever brawn model, and his career has been on fire since.

I sat down with actor, musician, model, body positive activist, soon-to-be-podcast host, and all-around nice guy Zach to ask him 10 Questions:

What is your favorite part of being big and/or tall?

I love who I am. I love the feeling of being the biggest guy in the room. It makes me feel confident and powerful. I didn't always, but now I love being the guy who everyone calls to help move. I love the feeling that I can be relied on. I love being the one people look to for help. I love being able to represent big guys, to show everyone we aren't big ogres, we are sensitive, stylish, strong and proud.

What is the hardest part of being big and/or tall?

Honestly, I used to not like being big a lot. I felt insecure and different being so much bigger than everyone else. If I had to pick the hardest part of being big it would be middle school. One time I put a note in my crush's locker. After she found it, she and her friends came to me in the lunch room, laughing at me, then she tore up my note in front of everyone. It sucked. Middle school kids are the worst; I was bullied a lot and even bullied some kids myself trying to fit in. If I had to give anyone advice, it's "fuck 'em." You're gonna get through it. Focus on being the most authentic you you can possibly be. and you'll be way ahead of everyone else when you all grow up.

If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Well-worn great fitting jeans, an awesome flannel shirt, zip up hoodie, white Air Force 1s, and a denim jacket. If I could wear this every day of my life I'd be happy. I like a layered, urban lumberjack look. But it's not just a "look", I'm actually an Eagle Scout.

What's one fashion item every guy should own?

Denim jacket. I went years looking for one and they never fit. Now I have one in blue and one in black and I love them so so so much.

What are your go-to stores or sites for clothes?

DXL, Asos, and Target make up like 70% of everything I own.

What do you wish retailers would do differently?

MAKE CLOTHES FOR BIG GUYS. There are so many designers I would die to wear but they don't make anything close to my size. The average male waist size in U.S. is 40 and yet most high end designers stop at 36 or 38. Enough is enough. Let us buy clothes! They'd make money; it's a no brainer.

What does being "body positive" mean to you?

Body positivity is about accepting yourself and your body the way it is this very moment. Not what it could be after diets, or excercise, or bulking up, or slimming down, or getting surgery or whatever. It's about accepting and loving your body and who you are and being proud of everything it does for you. You do not need to fit in a box to be considered beautiful and loved. You are, right now, with every wrinkle, curve, crease, and inch, beautiful, loved, sexy, and valid.

Zach's podcast, Big Things, launches February 19, 2018 wherever fine podcasts are sold.

What is your biggest style regret?

The giant steel beads I wore around my neck in middle school. And the puka shells in highschool...

Who are your style icons?

John Goodman, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Tom Hardy.

Who do you nominate to answer these questions next?

Kelvin Davis, Michael-Anthony, Rob Robinson and Bruce Sturgell.

If you don't yet, give Zach a follow on Instagram and look out for his podcast Big Things coming February 19, 2018 (it was sweet of him to launch on my birthday, no? I told you he was a nice guy!). :)