We are proud to announce the TOP 12 MEANest BEARDS in the world for 2019! These men were selected by the 6 person MEAN BEARD Judge Panel out of the 100 MEAN BEARD Contestants from 13 countries!
It was a hard decision for the judges, as all the entrants have exceptional beards, all unique and special in their own way, and many with amazing stories attached to their beards signifying a deep meaning for what their beard symbolizes to them, which ultimately makes it a MEAN BEARD. You all inspire us, and make it clear that a MEAN BEARD is a symbol of strength, freedom, truth, patience and perseverance. You all have a different story, however, you all share the same passion, and that is a great passion for the beard. Thank you to all contestants you all have a MEAN BEARD. Stay MEAN and look forward to the 2020 contest!
The TOP 12 MEANest BEARDS of 2019, in no particular order are:
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| First Name | Jimmy |
| Last Name | Nordvall |
| Instagram Username | Jimmynordvall |
| Hometown | Stockholm |
| State/Province/Region: | Nacka |
| Country | Sweden |
| Bearded Since: | December 2015 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I am 38 years old, have 4 children, and a beautiful wife. I like to work out, drink beer and spending time with friends. I also like to watch movies, chat with friends on Instagram and take a long walks in the forest. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Treat others as you want to be treated yourself |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | My beard is my story, it started in 2015 December, I had just become single and wanted a change in life, with it I made many new friends |
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| First Name | Lee |
| Last Name | Fenwick |
| Instagram Username | Anslow |
| Hometown | Bloomfield |
| State/Province/Region: | CT |
| Country | United States |
| Bearded Since: | 2012 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | Personal trainer who became a trainer after losing 50lbs and wanted to change lives through helping people through their workout journey. Singer, potter, print maker and of course slightly beard obsessed!! |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Be Authentic |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | I love, when on a daily basis, someone will come up to me and ask me how long have I been growing my beard or they will compliment my beard. It gives me a chance to talk to someone who I might never talk to if I didn't have a beard. There's a yearning for all of us to have these personal connections. It shows our humanity even if it's for just a moment. These connections make me want to continue to grow my beard even longer, bigger and meaner!! |
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| First Name | Lunchbox Lenny |
| Last Name | Beardstrong |
| Instagram Username | |
| Hometown | Lenoir City |
| State/Province/Region: | TN |
| Country | United States |
| Bearded Since: | November 2015 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I am a retired iron worker who collects vintage school lunch boxes. I own an antique Crosley station wagon, and have a huge fondness for vintage motorcycles from 1898 - 1950's. I am a US Army veteran, and a lover of individual liberty and personal freedoms. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." – John Bunyan |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | My Mean Beard drapes the face of a man who has survived over six decades, a man who has four sons, nine grandchildren, and a lifetime of stories to share, some inspiring, some tragic, with benevolence toward others who struggle in life due to hardships beyond their control such as illness and disease. My beard is used to help raise funding for cancer research, helping veterans, and autism...I find this most rewarding part of having a Mean Beard. |
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| First Name | Chandra Prakash |
| Last Name | Vyas |
| Instagram Username | @rajasthan_beard_club |
| Hometown | Bikaner |
| State/Province/Region: | Rajasthan |
| Country | India |
| Bearded Since: | 3.5 years |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | National rural health mission as a computer operator. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | I want to move the name of my country forward and it's Beard Society. It's not only beard it's attitude! |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) |
Four years ago, when I started growing my beard ,an astrologer told me that you should remove your beard, that you will not get anything from it. I immediately shaved my beard. But my father told me that I should grow it back, after that I have been growing it for the last three years! I even received the title of longest beard champion! Today whatever identity I have in my country is due to my beard and behind it is the strength of my family! |
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| First Name | Kent |
| Last Name | Wynder |
| Instagram Username | wynder77 |
| Hometown | Cardston |
| State/Province/Region: | Alberta |
| Country | Canada |
| Bearded Since: | 2013 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I have been a middle school teacher for 13 years. I teach Social Studies and Music (Guitar, Bass, Drums - basically like school of rock haha). People always tell me I'm crazy for wanting to teach this age group, but I love it. I love to be a part of the community through coaching Volleyball, basketball and baseball. I have 4 kids: Haydn (16) Brody (13) Tyson (9) and Lennon (5). I love following them around to all their activities and being the loudest parent cheering them on. I love to play sports. I play softball, Hockey and basketball. I love music. Music is a huge part of my family life, we are constantly listening, playing and singing to music. I love concerts and have spent crazy amounts of money on concert tickets haha. I am president of the local Little League baseball association. One of my proudest moments in baseball is bringing the Challenger Baseball program to my town, which gives kids with disabilities a chance to play baseball. One of the saddest days was when I found out that my beard would not grow any longer. It had reached its terminal length. BUT I will rock this beard to its full potential as I always do!!! |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Work Hard, Be Yourself, and Have Fun!! |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | I have always been a person who doesn't mind looking different. I love how my beard helps me stand out in the crowd. I am known by many in my small town as "the guy with the big beard" and I love that. I have battled through many things in my life: Gun Shot wound, Skin Cancer, Near drowning, family addiction, family divorces and the one thing that has always remained constant is my wife, my family and my beard - what else does a man need? |
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| First Name | Scott |
| Last Name | Pawlak |
| Instagram Username | Oldiddy2001 |
| Hometown | Midland |
| State/Province/Region: | Mi |
| Country | USA |
| Bearded Since: | February 2016 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I work for the city of midland as an equipment operator. Love spending time out doors with my family hunting, fishing and shooting guns |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Be kind even when no one is watching |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | It all started out after growing my beard out for my first Yeard and after shaving it just never felt the same. So I told my daughter on her 11 birthday to take a look at her dads face because she wasn't gonna see it for awhile. Not knowing how long I was gonna keep it. It just kept growing and growing. So here we are today closing in on the 4 year Yeard |
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| First Name | Kevin |
| Last Name | Boling |
| Instagram Username | Kevinsbeard |
| Hometown | Warden |
| State/Province/Region: | Washington |
| Country | USA |
| Bearded Since: | March of 2015 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | After high school I served in the U.S.Army. it was the only time in my life since puberty that I was clean shaven. After serving in the army I did a variety of jobs from reforesting Mt. Saint Helens after it blew to logging/setting chokers to making jewelry. I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none. I love to spend time with my grandchildren, fishing and competing in beard competitions. One of my greatest interests is serving others. I got the opportunity and honor to cook for and feed the homeless It feeled my heart full of joy. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Do for others that are not able to do for themselves |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | After growing my beard out to honor a fellow Viking childhood friend that passed away from cancer my daughter came up to me and told me that my beard was getting really yellow. I knew it was from nicotine stains. I had tried several times in my life to quit smoking and never was completely successful. Her telling me that was the ticket. My beard is so mean that because of it I have been nicotine free for 4 years. |
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| First Name | Brian |
| Last Name | Mahan |
| Instagram Username | brimahan |
| Hometown | Peterborough |
| State/Province/Region: | Cambs |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Bearded Since: | Dec 2015 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I am a civil servant and have been since 2002. Before that I was a chef by trade. I have recently started a healthy living regime and so far have lost almost 1.5 stone (9.5kilos). |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Treat others as you want to be treated. |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | Growing my beard has opened up a whole new world to me. The bearded community is just the best community you could ever want to be part of. My life has changed so much since I grew my beard. The best part is all of the amazing people who I have had the pleasure of getting to know in the last 4 year. |
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| First Name | Praveen |
| Last Name | Parameswar |
| Instagram Username | praveen_parameswar_thady |
| Hometown | Adoor |
| State/Province/Region: | Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Bearded Since: | 2012 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | Am a beard model, Actor, Associate Director in Indian film industry. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | With Great beard comes great responsibility |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | I love my beard and beard love me. Am maintaining my beard very well and proper way. Because am one of the representative of thousands of beard man in my country. |
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| First Name | Samson |
| Last Name | Pillar |
| Instagram Username | @tackberry1 |
| Hometown | Sarnia |
| State/Province/Region: | Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Bearded Since: | June 2017 |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | Hello I am a PSW(Personal Support Worker) in a hospital and in a Long Term Care Facility. I work two jobs.I care for people who are affected with ADL's(Activities of Daily Living. We have 6 of them, they are: eating, bathing, getting dressed, toileting, transferring, and continence. This takes a certain kind of human to be able to do this. I also care for people that suffer from Alzheimer's, Dementia, Mental Health, ABI's: Acquired Brain Injury, Elderly and the vulnerable. I also deal with Sundowning. Now in the Hospital my job is to care for Cancer Patients who are in such a terrible place in their lives. I deal with stage 1 to end of Life. I have been with patients when they have taken their last breath. I also deal with Children who suffer from Cancer, I just don't care for them but I bring joy, laughter, and make them forget about this terrible disease for a small amount of time. Either playing games, making them laugh, opening a door outside so they can see and smell the fresh air. I will play their favourite songs, movies etc. I go above and beyond each and everyday to make sure I can make them feel special. We all believe that we can have a better life, BUT we could also have a bad one. My patients all "Mean" the world to me. When I'm having a bad day at work I just remember look at what my patients are going through. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? |
"Do unto others as you want done unto you". Be kind each and every day. Do a small gesture to someone in need. Be it a smile, a hello, open a door etc |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | I am considered the Friendly Giant at work with a big heart. I have been sent home unpaid for 6 months now because I will not shave my Beard. So I am standing up for all who believe they have rights and freedoms. That we are all different and special in this world. I believe in being different and showing what God has given you, I believe we should all look and be different. I believe we all need to "Stay true to yourself. Enjoy this world !! |
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First Name
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Jason
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Last Name
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George
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Instagram Username
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TheBeardedOne868
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Hometown
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Curepe
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State/Province/Region:
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St. George
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Country
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Trinidad & Tobago
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Bearded Since:
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2017
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Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests)
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I am a proud doggie dad who's been married for 15 years and my career in aviation spans 25 years. I owned two sport bikes so far, but sold them about 5 years ago, but I am still identified as a rider locally which is awesome. I love to travel, meet new people, try new foods (and yes new sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings totally counts :)) and see new sights. I like helping out when and where ever I can, and I want to try to learn a new skill every year, next on my list is landscaping. While I am from the tropics I like the chilly weather, and plan to visit places in Europe, US and Canada, that have big open spaces. Overall, I am literally a fun guy that likes to have fun!
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What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For?
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Life is the longest thing you are doing - I always hear people say life is too short, I think it's exactly the amount of time we need!
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Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.)
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My goal was to grow an awesome beard, and introduce more beards in the boardroom, as well as to help change the perspective of the local beard scene. I was once asked if I wasn't working anymore, if that's the reason I grew a beard, which astounded me. The persons logic was I can't be employed with a beard like mine, this was also a driver for me to be even more awesome with my MEAN BEARD!
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| First Name | Bryan |
| Last Name | Wilt |
| Instagram Username | chainsaw_pgh |
| Hometown | Pittsburgh |
| State/Province/Region: | PA |
| Country | United States |
| Bearded Since: | 6 years strong & counting. |
| Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. (Career, Hobbies, Interests) | I've been a scare actor for a combined total of 10 years, and as of 3 years ago, I became "Cupcake"! A terrifying, colorful, wild, silly, murderous clown with a huge chainsaw, and even bigger beard! I've gained adoring fans & fan art, as well as sworn enemies that love to hate me. :D When I'm not scaring people one month out of the year, I'm caring for individuals with special needs as a Direct Support Professional and being creative, diving into Photography, Art, Videogames, and whatever else intrigues me at the moment. |
| What's Your Motto / What Do You Stand For? | Stay Positive & Stay Spooky :P |
| Tell Us Why You Have The MEANEST Beard? (Share An Interesting Story Behind Your Beard. We Want To Know Who The Man Behind The Beard Is.) | I terrify people as a big bearded, psychopathic, chainsaw-wielding colorful clown... What's meaner than that?? I may be terrifying to many, but I have a heart and soul behind the scary face I put on which makes what I do all the more hilarious in retrospect. I believe working as a Direct Support Professional caring for individuals with special needs and as a chainsaw-wielding clown makes my beard a pretty MEAN contender for this contest. |
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Look forward to next week! The MEAN BEARD judge panel will determine the TOP 3 and make the announcement early in the week, and then the Champion will be announced by the end of next week. When determining the MEANest BEARD Champion, the main factor is obviously the beard. However, it's not only the beard, it's also the attitude that deems a MEAN BEARD. What's the story behind the beard, what does the beard stand for? The judges will look closely at the story and who the person is behind the beard. The MEANest BEARD Champion has to be able to represent what MEAN BEARD is all about.
The champion will claim the MEANest BEARD trophy and a MEAN prize pack valued up to $1,000 which includes a year supply of MEAN BEARD products and awesome prizes donated by the sponsors of the contest who are: Whiskertin, Jessica Danielle Clay, Backattack Snacks, Gonzalez Handmade and Urbana Cafe.
You can view all 100 contestants on MEAN
BEARD's Instagram or Facebook, see their full stories in the MEAN NEWS blog or a brief look in the contest photo gallery!
Feel free to leave a comment below. We'd love to hear your thoughts.
629 comments
Kevin Boling has my vote
Samson Pillar!!
Amazing beard and an outstanding gentleman!
Samson Pillar gets my vote!! Great beard and amazing person!!!