“I was a sculptor to my own body,” Haines said. “I chipped away at this body for years. I chipped away on that StairMaster. I used these iron plates, and we made it happen.”
Haines, a transgender man who came out in 2017 at the age of 27, has faced a challenging journey to self-acceptance. For decades, he struggled with self-hate and discomfort in his own body. “I have this memory, and I’m like, I hate this body, and it’s a really hard thing when you kind of feel that self-hate,” Haines shared. “One thing that trans folks kind of weren’t born with is feeling at home in our bodies. Most of us, when puberty happened, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.”
During his transition, Haines turned to bodybuilding. In 2021, he competed in his first bodybuilding competition at the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders & Powerlifters, where he won his weight class and the overall show.
“Bodybuilding and focusing on my fitness and nutrition have literally let me sculpt the man I want to be,” Haines said. “I never thought I was going to be able to take my shirt off and feel proud, and to be able to do that and have that freedom is just so life-changing. I feel great in my body, and I’m proud of it finally.”
Now, four years into the sport, Haines is preparing for his first mainstream bodybuilding competition in September, where he will compete alongside cis-gendered men. Due to his testosterone injections, he will be competing in the non-tested bodybuilding category.
Previously a food microbiologist, Haines now works full-time as a certified personal trainer through his business, Constant Evolution Fitness. He helps clients worldwide, many of whom are trans men, achieve their fitness goals and gain confidence. “I have clients in Australia, France, the UK, Canada, and all over the U.S.,” Haines said. “Almost all of my clients are queer in some way. Most of them are trans men looking to do what I did—feel more confident in their skin, and that’s really where my passion lies.”
Among his clients is his partner, Madi Kohr. The couple has been together for three years. “Words can’t even explain how proud I am,” Kohr said. “He makes such a big impact. I don’t think he even really realizes it.”
Haines is open about his journey, hoping that visibility will foster empathy. “It’s really easy to hate behind a keyboard; it’s really hard to hate up close,” Haines said. “I want to be there to help change people’s minds. I want to be the first trans person people know. If that’s me, then cool. Let’s talk because I think there’s more that binds us together than separates us.”
Through fitness, Haines helps people build not only their ideal bodies but also their ideal lives, transforming their physical and mental health. “I want people to have confidence,” Haines said. “I don’t care what your body looks like, but changing your body can give you the confidence that you can do what you want in this world. No one can hold you down. You can pull yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep going.”
Haines encourages anyone struggling with body dysmorphia to take the first step in their fitness journey. “It’s not going to be fast, it’s not going to be without downsides or difficulties,” Haines said. “But you can make it through, and any action you take in the gym will move you forward. All we are trying to do is create momentum and keep it rolling. We don’t have to change everything in one day. The nice thing about fitness is that it all builds on itself.”
Rep by rep and lift by lift, Haines works to unite people through fitness and love. “Fitness is one thing that connects all of us. We all have to figure out how to take care of our ‘flesh suits,’ so let’s figure out how to do it best,” Haines said. “Personal training is the best job in the world because you see people live their best lives and make their dreams come true.”