Is there any more over-used word in our current moment than ‘hustle’ ? Most anyone will claim some style of side ‘hustle’ or refer to themselves as a ‘hustler’ which usually amounts to, at the very most, a robust eBay seller rating. So it is with particular heed that I use the word when referring to Bryce Thompson, the South African born, NY-based model, photographer, and pro-ducer. His approach to each moniker (forget model slash) is nothing short of zealous and his rise in each during the four short years he’s been in New York are proof.
After publishing an, admittedly niche, paint ball magazine and traveling the world professionally with the sport by 20, he was scouted at a gym in his native Cape Town for a magazine cover shooting that week. Since then he has appeared on more covers than he can count and honed his fitness and gym routine along the way; some thing he is very passionate about. “For me, I’ll admit, the motivation [to stay in shape] comes a bit from pride and ego. I expect myself to main-tain a certain condition. And once you’ve set that standard for yourself people expect it from you so there is no falling back, especially if you’re working,” he says about taking care of himself. A usual workout is 40 minutes to start on the treadmill, to keep the body lean. Then do major mus-cle groups as the days vary. He offers that now he’s getting into his thirties, he adjusts for age, which is more important than most people think. Today we stop in for a workout at the Soho Strength Lab on Mulberry St. in NoLita , a no-frills, neighborhood joint known by insiders for its considered and personal workouts for individual clients. After first moving to New York Bryce lived in a “shoebox” around the corner in Soho but has recently moved downtown to South Street Seaport in FiDi. “There is an ambience down there that seems true to old New York, that makes me nostalgic,” he says describing the area with it’s cobblestone streets and colonial era buildings. “My building is over 200 years old. You don’t want to move to NYC and live in a per-fect little apartment that looks like it could be anywhere in the world.” He says the authenticity of his street and block remind him that he is in New York to work and that keeps him going and pushing to do more in his various pursuits. “If you work out your rent and break it down by day, a day you stay in bed that’s how much it costs you. I’m not willing to do that.”
Between shoots, gym, the editing room and nights out networking with people in the industry, he wants pieces that can move him stylishly between every moment, and keep him looking presentable for the chance encounters that are unavoidable in this town. “You’re inevitably going to run into someone to and from the gym or just out running errands, usually someone you know professionally. So looking your best, especially with what I do, even in an off moment, is so important,” he says.
For the on or off moments he posts on his 64K following Instagram, @BRYCETHOMPSON8 (not to mention the 60K following he has on his photography only account, @shotbybryce) he offers a few tips: “The golden rule is your selfies get more likes. I feel like people will see a selfie and like it more because people don’t want you to feel bad. Like a sympathy vote,” he jokes. But when in doubt, “…face the sun, point the camera at your face, and smile.” Though I don’t think anyone is liking a Bryce Thompson selfie out of pity.
If you are a keen enough to follow either account, you will see that nothing makes him more happy outside of the NY grind than being home with his family in Cape Town. He will travel there for the holidays and looks forward to giving his little brother some new work out gear, like the GapFit compression tights or some new sneakers. “The tradition is I check up on how he is doing and his health. He is 10 yrs younger than I am so I take him to the gym first thing, with a heart rate monitor…I’m serious,” he says, well, very seriously. He will also try to meet a goal he has with his mates running up the local mountain, Loin’s Head, under 20 minutes.
It would seem even in his time off he can’t help but try to beat his personal best, set a record or raise the bar. He exudes a drive that is unmistakable from the moment you meet him, evidenced in my case when he arrived to our shoot early, having driven his new bike up from downtown in the rain. “The bustle [of New York] inspires you to do more and exceed previous expectations,” he says adding that he prefers to ride alongside the notoriously fearless NY bike messengers as opposed to pastoral spins around the park. “The energy of the city I love, that’s what keeps me going. The beat of the city, the people.” And he certainly has the hustle to keep up.
