AJ

As the first Mr. Iowa Bear (2017) AJ was fortunate to take a message of body positivity to the Mr North American Bear contest and take top honors there, being the first Iowa Leather Weekend titleholder to bring an international win home to Iowa. AJ spent his year as Mr North American Bear educating that fat isn’t a bad word, buffets are amazing, bear hugs are the best, and coffee is life.

AJ flags blue right, is a hardcore voyeur, and lives just outside of Des Moines with his partner Paul. Together they make the BearDuck Pond our their home. When not working with ILW, AJ is a full-time nurse in internal medicine with a focus on electronic medical records compliance. AJ lives the #soberlife and can be found at events with a cherry coke in hand.