A Cobourg man is counting down the days as he is in one of the semi-final groups vying for the Legendary Dad Bod.
The competition featuring men from across the globe has been ongoing since September 20 with the winner receiving $25,000, and a two-page spread in Men’s Journal.
Twenty-eight-year-old Shaquille Young lives in Cobourg with his wife and three young children, three-year-old Mason, one-year-old Rosemary and three-month-old Theodore.
DadBod is an apparel company that is aimed at dispelling the stereotypes that dad’s are shapely and lose all levels of fashion, muscle and health.
Being active not just in the literal sense but as being fathers in our children’s lives is one of the core values of the company.
The website for the competition says, they are “proudly bringing the ultimate physique into the limelight — the Dad Bod. Only the man with the most fatherly figure will reign supreme.”
Proceeds from the competition will go toward supporting the B+ Foundation’s mission to help children battling pediatric cancer and their families.
People can buy 20 votes for $10, or more if they can spare it. Every school day, 46 children will be diagnosed with cancer with a 75% survival rate.
All of the money is donated to the B+ Foundation, an amazing charity that began when a dad, lost his son to leukemia. His son fought for 167 days on the family mantra of “be positive.” Today, the charity funds cancer research and helps families who’s children are fighting pediatric cancer.
Twenty-seven-year-old Young said he was on social media when he kept seeing ads for the competition.
“At first I thought no, of course not. Then it popped up four more times so I thought ok, I’ll put my name in.”
He asked if Canadians could participate, and they told him it’s an international competition – “so I thought sweet, then I’m going to give it 100%.”
It’s been a whirlwind journey since.
Friends and family are also helping with the votes.
The current running of competitors is mainly American but so far Young is at the top of his group.
“Right now, I’ve been first in every single round.”
Going into the semi-finals he hopes he’ll still be in first which would bring him to the finals.
“We started off in the thousands and it’s dwindled down to roughly 300 guys,” said Young while his one-year-old daughter Rosemary rests on his back.
“I’m trying to show them that if you have others supporting you – you can make it anywhere.”
With all funds going to cancer, Young said his mother had breast cancer, went into remission and got it a second time.
“I’ve got three kids and the worst thing I can think of is losing one of them to something like that. So even just putting some money towards that – just take the money – let’s find the cure, let’s pinpoint what the problem is and put an end to cancer.”
Young is well known around Cobourg as whenever he is out shopping or going from place to place his hands are full – and not necessarily with groceries.
Young carries around his three children when he’s outdoors – or even indoors which was the case when Today’s Northumberland sat down for an interview with him.
He also has a fitness area in the basement.
“Between that, working and just being a dad, I feel like I got a pretty good body.”
If Young wins the competition, he’ll be putting towards putting a down payment on buying a house for his family.
Voting for the final four ends Thursday, November 4 at 10 p.m.
For anyone wishing to help Young go to https://legendarydadbod.com/2021/shaquille-young
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
