Aydian Dowling, the trans bodybuilder currently leading the polls to become Men's Health's next "Ultimate Guy" cover model, sat down with Ellen this week to talk about his experience coming out as trans and why he's gunning for the chance to become the first trans man on the cover of Men's Health.

Asked about his journey coming out as transgender, Dowling revealed that he actually came out as a lesbian to himself at 13 and to his family at 17, because he thought there were no other options.

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"Some people identify [as transgender] at a really young age, and I didn't have that," he said. "I felt like I was a lesbian only because I was a girl who liked girls, so that was the title to put on me, rather than the title that I felt I identified with. Once I found out what it meant to be transgender, emotionally, that was it. I was like, 'this is my ticket, this is the piece.' I had no idea it even existed."

Dowling said he'd never known about transgenderism and it wasn't until his ex-girlfriend asked, "Have you ever thought of being a boy?" that he even began researching it.

"Today, sitting with you right now, I'm at my most authentic self than I've ever been in my whole life," he said.

In fact, living as his "authentic self" is what inspired him to enter the running to be on the cover of Men's Health. "Being on that cover will question the new average, what is average, you know? I think it breaks that barrier," he said.

Dowling wrapped by saying the support he's received from family, friends and his wife (sorry ladies, he's taken!) has meant the world to him.

"I think if there's one thing you want in life, it's to do your own thing, to live as your authentic self," he said. "When you have people who back you up and say, 'You're doing a good job, you're doing really good,' you just feel great."

Voting for Men's Health's "Ultimate Guy" contest ends June 21. Cast your vote for Aydian here!