Kristian Bandeira is a man of many talents… fashion model, environmental scientist, U.S. military veteran, philanthropist, and pull-ups enthusiast. He chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his latest endeavors.
American track and field running legend Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” This quote applies to Kristian Bandeira.
‘Dressed to Kilt’
“Dressed to Kilt” is the largest Scottish fashion show in the globe, and it supports such charitable causes as the Navy Seal Foundation. Earlier this month, Bandeira was a part of the 2025 fashion show, which took place at The Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York.
“It was great. I was really honored that I was able to walk for it as a veteran. Getting to walk alongside Daniel Penny was really awesome. So, it was a good time, and I really enjoyed it.”
Bandeira was a U.S. Marine for four years, for which he was recruited immediately after high school (from 2012 to 2016). “I realized that it was not for me. I tried to do other avenues such as Special Forces, and then, I ended up breaking my leg,” he said.
The digital age
Bandeira shared that he has a love and hate relationship with social media in this digital age. “While I dislike social media, I know that it is so important for what I do, so I have to do it,” he said.
On being a part of the digital age, he said, “We remember a time when we had the flip phones and the block phones, or an iPod, and that was the technology.”
“Back then, in order to log on to the Internet, you had to do it via the phone line, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever because back then, it was a big thing,” he admitted.
“The game has changed. It is now social media. You can get big from social media,” he added.
Future plans
He hopes to continue doing shows. “I already have a few shows lined up for this year,” he revealed.
“I have Cannes Film Festival in France, Miami Swim Week, and London in September. Finally, I have MADE Fashion Week in November, and I am excited about that.”
He also hopes to someday break the pull-ups world record after one more year of training. He also has a passion for the environment and regeneration.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, Bandeira said, “Working Hard, Playing Harder.”
Defining moments in his career and life
“While I disliked being in the military, it definitely defined me as a person,” he acknowledged. “My discipline came from it and that carried on over to what I do now and to everything in life.”
“Also, owning a bunch of businesses (for the past four years), and I just sold them. I was the guy that owned the gym, but now, everyone knows me as the model in my area,” he said.
Advice for young and aspiring fashion models
For young and emerging fashion models, he responded, “That’s a good one. Network! As most can see, I am not the stereotypical model, and that’s okay. I was just given an opportunity and I took it, and I really enjoy it. I’ve been working hard at it.”
“The biggest thing is to network with a lot of people and bring values to their lives. Once you do that, they will always remember you, and they will recommend you to other people, which may lead to other opportunities,” he elaborated.
“So, be nice to everyone, just network, and bring value to some people’s lives,” he added.
Superpower of choice
If he were to have any superpower, it would be “The Force” (from Star Wars) because “they have all of it.”
“If you play the video games, they have all the powers,” he noted. “I might as well just have ‘The Force,’ that way, I can have all the powers.”
Favorite mottos to live by
His favorite motto to live by is: “Discipline is freedom.”
“That is probably the best motto to live by,” he admitted. “Since I have my discipline, I am able to have a little bit of freedom, and I am able to do what I like (to a point, obviously).”
“Discipline is the key to basically everything because it leads to consistently, and there are results with consistency,” he underscored.
Best advice ever been given
On the best advice that he has ever been given, he shared, “The best advice that I’ve ever been given was financial advice, and that is to ‘be financially intelligent’. You don’t need to make a lot of money, but you just need to know how to invest, save, and budget your money. That is probably the best advice I was ever given.”
Best thing about being his age
On the best thing about being his age, he responded, “I’m 31; I’m still young, and I feel like I’m 21. It’s all a mind game. As long as you take care of your body, you will be fine. Age is just a number.”
Success
Regarding his definition of the word success, Bandeira revealed, “Success means freedom to do whatever I want. As long as you have that, then you are successful.”
Message for the fans, followers, and supporters
For the fans, followers and supporters, he said, “Thank you to the fans. I appreciate them. Even though I might not know them personally… I hope I get to know them one day.”
“Hopefully, they will come up to me after the fashion shows and introduce themselves to me. That would be humbling and amazing when that happens. I just appreciate their support,” Bandeira concluded.
American author John C. Maxwell once said: “Every person has a longing to be significant; to make a contribution; to be a part of something noble and purposeful.” Kristian Bandeira embodies this wise quote. His life story, thus far, is an inspiration to us all, and hopefully, there is much more to come, and more successes and major milestones along the way.
To learn more about Kristian Bandeira, follow him on Instagram.
