On the set at our cover shoot we sat down with the fearless MacCallister Byrd who plays Calvin Derne in the new series Dredgewood. A spirited man, MacCallister shares his most proudest accomplishment to date, who he’d like to walk into the room at this moment and what makes The Perfect Man. Photography by Justin Chen, Style by Ronald Gravensande.
Interview
Freedom Sky /
Photo: Pilot Patrick
On a unseasonably warm day in January we caught up with Pilot Patrick who flies private jets. During our conversation he shared with us what his perfect day looks like, what he loves about flying a plane and what it takes to be The Perfect Man.
Coffee or tea?
I prefer a tea in the morning followed by an espresso.
Are you a perfect man? In your opinion, what does it take to be the Perfect Man?
Nobody is perfect, but I give my best to be perfect. A perfect man has a good sense of humor and style, has good manners, eats wisely and has passion he lives for.
What does your perfect day look like?
A perfect day for me means I sleep in, wake up in a house at the beach, go for a swim before a long breakfast, take my own little plane with friends for a spin, after a workout a healthy dinner while observing the sunset.
What are you wearing right now?
I am wearing dark grey jeans (The Kooples) a black basic shirt (Hugo Boss) with a light grey asymmetric cardigan (Michalsky) and black winter boots (Diesel), on my wrists I am wearing a grey watch and a silver hand cuff.
How do you stay fit, when you’re always on the go?
I usually hit the hotel gym for an intense work out of 60 minutes maximum. In cases where the hotel does not have gym, I use the hotel room for a workout with my own body weight. Sometimes I use my suspension trainer, which fits easily in the suitcase and can be used anywhere.
Experience "How I stay fit" on my blog →
What is the most unexpected thing that’s ever happened to you while traveling?
During my career as private jet pilot I have experienced a lot. Once I was getting a coffee machine in the VIP Terminal when Cameron Diaz asked if I wanted one too.
What do you love about flying a plane? And what made you become a pilot?
I love the freedom in the sky and how I connect places with the plane in a minimum amount of time. Already as a kid I was fascinated about aviation and I still am today. After flying smaller propeller aircraft I decided to follow my passion and became a pilot.
What are your top international choices for men seeking (1) revelry, (2) relaxation, (3) reinvention
1. Berlin
2. Cape Town
3. Barcelona
What makes a place truly memorable for you?
The people and good food.
If you had a choice, where would you choose to spend your last day on earth?
I would spend it on board of a plane.
Where are you excited to visit this year?
I am excited to visit new destinations as a pilot of an Airbus A300 and I am also excited to spend some weeks in Barcelona after I stayed there for three months in 2016.
Is there any place you’ve traveled so far that you wouldn’t return to? Why?
Hurghada in Egypt. It is too touristy and another reason is that I got sick, because of the dirty tap water.
How do fashion and travel influence each other, in your opinion?
Traveling on an airplane should influence people to dress up. Traveling to different countries and parts of the world does not only mean to get know new cultures, but also people with a different sense of fashion.
What are your “must have” travel items?
Besides my passports and pilot license, definitely a good camera.
How do you describe your personal style?
A fashionable street style.
Boxers or briefs?
Briefs.
“Nobody is perfect, but I give my best to be perfect. A perfect man has a good sense of humour and style, has good manners, eats wisely and has passion he lives for.”
FOR MORE PILOT PATRICK
PilotPatrick.com →
Instagram →
Facebook →
Dr. Justin James /
We had the opportunity of interviewing Dr. Justin James, a New Yorker with a rather inspiring opinion of the self, the importance of the power nap and what makes the perfect man.
What's your first thought when you wake up?
I would like to say my FIRST thought is how excited I am for the day, but it’s actually my second. The first thought, embarrassingly enough, is “What day is it??”. I need to reorient myself to get out of my initial daze.
How do you deal with tiredness?
I try to avoid this at all costs, especially when I work 6-7 days a week, but sometimes it happens despite my structured and routine sleeping habits. On those days I find a 20 minute power nap after work most effective.
Coffee or tea?
If Snapple counts as tea, then Diet Peach
How can we get the Dr. James physique?
Haha - thank you. I eat healthy and exercise 5 days a week. I haven’t found any shortcuts - it takes hard work and dedication.
What's your favorite sport?
Gymnastics. I am fascinated how gymnasts can do the wildest tricks. Some look like they are defying gravity. It’s the closest thing to having superpowers, and who doesn’t love that?!
Gym or personal trainer?
Gym out of habit, but a trainer would be great to learn new routines. It’s difficult for me to get creative.
What’s on your iPhone for workout music at the moment?
I like fast-beats to keep my energy up, but also something melodic so it's enjoyable. Right now I have some great remixes of Rufus Du Sol and Aquillo→
What do you wear to workout?
Something light. Usually a black tank, shorts and comfortable flyknit sneakers.
How do you describe your personal style?
That’s a good question, I’ve never been asked to label my style. Outside of work, I would say I dress minimalistic and clean. I also get shy with bright colors and patterns.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM @DR.JAMES.NYC
Boxers or briefs?
Actually both! Briefs with jeans, and boxers with scrubs.
A fragrance?
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille.
What's your favorite body part? And your least favorite?
I would say my face is both my favorite and least favorite. Not any part in particular but overall. My face is the first thing people see and it’s important to showcase and be proud of that. It’s my least favorite for the same reason. Good skin care takes time and maintaining my beard can be a chore.
What made you become a psychiatrist, and what is the most challenging aspect of it and the most rewarding thing about it?
I applied to medical school knowing I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I had a passion for mental health and human behavior since freshman year in college. I think my curiosity stemmed from Real World Seattle when I was 12 years old, and seeing Stephen slap Irene in the car and thought “What the hell were they thinking?!”. It’s a strange memory, I know, but it got me thinking.
I would say that the most challenging thing is that the problems I encounter each day are personal, and often relatable. It isn't about dealing with a broken foot or torn ligament (no offense to my fellow orthopedic surgeons). I am managing people's emotions, thoughts, and fears. The situations hit much closer to home. Those are all struggles we deal with as humans and they can be complicated. There is no exact science to dealing with the mind, at least not yet.
I think one rewarding piece is the ability to give my patients tools to lead happy, stable lives. The best thing I can hope for is the point in which a patient reached optimal benefit from treatment and has best quality of life.
Where do you go to switch off?
I live in New York City, so sometimes it’s hard to find a place to completely switch off – but being alone is usually my best option. Whether it’s walking through a pretty neighborhood, visiting the park, or just closing the door to my room and reading – if I can get myself to a place where I am alone, it’s easier to switch.
What makes a perfect man?
Humility, Happiness and Confidence. It’s not impossible to transform yourself physically to become the best version. What makes a man perfect is the awareness that we are all the same and we are all in this together. Men who are happy with themselves and their lives, who are naturally confident, are attractive. Lastly, the perfect man looks out for others and does the right thing even if no one is looking.
True Self – Simon Sava /
What is the most unexpected thing that’s ever happened to you while traveling for your blog?
One thing that I really remember was the day I lost my passport in Marrakesh. And they had just told me at the hotel, "If you lose your passport in Marrakesh, you are stuck in Marrakesh." Fortunately it was found and safely kept in a museum in the Medina.
What are your top international choices for men seeking 1 revelry, 2 relaxation, 3 reinvention?
My top destinations for revelry are Mykonos in Greece and Barcelona in Spain. For relaxation during summer, I really love Santorini - in a beautiful hotel with an infinity pool overlooking the volcano, or a luxurious accommodation on the Amalfi coast in Italy. During wintertime, a five-star chalet in the Swiss Alps is my top choice. When a man wants to reinvent himself, Marrakesh is a destinantion I would definetely recommend.
What makes a place truly memorable for you?
For a place to be truly memorable to me, it must have it all. Not just beautiful ladscapes and views - it needs also to be vibrant, with the best accommodation and restaurant choices, and of course nice people.
If you had a choice, where would you choose to spend your last day on earth?
My last day on earth, I would probably consider more with whom I'll spend it than where. A day at the beach with my family and friends would be perfect.
Where are you excited to visit this year?
I am very spontaneous and I don't usually plan my trips many days before. Lets see what this year will bring...
Is there any place you’ve traveled so far to which you wouldn’t return? Why?
None. I often catch my self saying I want to go back to many places again. Actually - I do go back - so I guess it's a matter of good choices. ;)
How do fashion and travel influence each other, in your opinion?
I believe both fashion and traveling influence each other a lot. When you travel you get to know new cultures and different lifestyles that make you want to try something new with your style. Also fashion brands often grab an idea for their collections based on a culture, or they use colors inspired by a country. Finally, fashion can make you want to go to a beautiful place while you are looking at a campaign that was shot there.
What are your “must have” travel items?
Definitely my iPhone. I couldn't capture and share the moment without it.
How do you describe your personal style?
My personal style is more casual. I really like being comfortable, but always with style. I also often try new trends - why not something more edgy?
In your opinion, what is a Perfect Man? What does it take to be the Perfect Man?
The perfect man is actually someone not necessarily perfect but genuine and maybe imperfect. It's a man doing what he likes, being himself and not faking it in order to look perfect. Maybe there is more perfection in flaws.
You’ve really mastered the art of building a lifestyle brand - what are your best tips for other bloggers looking to do something similar?
Staying true to your self is the best tip I could give. Keep doing what you love. Just take a picture of it.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM @SIMON_SAVA
“The perfect man is actually someone not necessarily perfect but genuine and maybe imperfect. It’s a man doing what he likes, being himself and not faking it in order to look perfect. Maybe there is more perfection in flaws.”