They're ripped, adventurous, groomed, well balanced and surprisingly down to earth — they're the winners of the Men's Health Look 2008...

These guys were definitely put through their paces this year. As part of the judging process, finalists took part in an action-packed adventure weekend in the Western Cape.

Activities included being dropped into the ocean from a Huey helicopter, being propelled across the ocean at 100km/h in fast boats, abseiling off Table Mountain, paragliding from Lion's Head, competing in a strongman challenge at Clifton, mountain biking, kayaking and running in the winelands, as well as a Muay Thai martial arts training session with Quentin Chong, and a volleyball tournament on Camps Bay with Springbok volleyball player Casey Augoustides.

Challenged to the core

Brendan Currin (30), a fifth-year medical student who works at Baragwaneth hospital came in first place, showing that he has brains, brawn and a big heart —being passionate about saving lives. And he's really adventurous too, always keen to try new things especially if they involve the outdoors.

Says Brendon: "I have always seen the competition on TV and in the magazine and it just looked like something I really wanted to do. I think after guys around South Africa see the stuff we were able to do this year the urge will be stronger than ever to get involved.

"It's challenging on so many levels and it's without a doubt something I can recommend to any guy out there. You live more in three days than most people live in a lifetime."

Patrick Kasongo who came in second place is also a student, but of architecture, and with a body like his you could guess that he's a personal trainer.

Patrick is 22, comes from Durban, and loves to spend time with his close knit friends. He says the adventure is what drew him to the competition. But besides also having an adventurous spirit, Patrick believes that the Men's Health man is one who's "balanced socially, academically, spiritually... an all rounder and someone who makes their health an important priority".

In third place was Dewald Nolte who's just 25, a full-time master's student in electronical engineering, and works part-time as a business partner in an electronic security company. And he's chivalrous to boot...

"I grew up in a very small town in the Eastern Cape. It's one of those towns where we are still expected to open the door for ladies... I was lucky too, since my parents got to spend a lot of time with me and thus got to raise me with strong moral values," says Dewald.

So what does Dewald think the Men's Health brand stands for? "For me the Men's Health brand has always been represented by a man who has a balanced lifestyle, basically a guy who gets the most out of life. He stays in excellent shape while also doing great in the business world, and he takes time off to do that adventurous stuff we all are too chicken to actually just go and do. He's easy going and has a confidence about him."

And confident enough to strut up and down the catwalk in his boxers too?

Brendan says the most challenging part of the competition for him was a little different to the others...

"Dewald had a fear of heights that he conquered. Before the 112-metre abseil we had to do, I tried to keep him focused on other things and give what support I could. He returned the favour when it came to walking the ramp."

So what was the most challenging part of the competition for Patrick?

"The most challenging part of the competition for me was paragliding off Lion's Head, especially after our first attempt failed and we had a crash landing, and had to attempt it again, which was nerve racking for me. But, I'm proud that I did it!"

So how do they get it right?

Patrick says that if there's advice that he can give to anyone else out there trying to live this balanced lifestyle, it has to be "to set a goal and make sure you achieve it no matter what".

"I suggest short-term goals, as they are much easier to achieve, and build your confidence, then set harder ones as you go along. Make training a part of your every day life and make the gym part of your lifestyle — at the end of the day, just try to be yourself and enjoy life as it comes at you."

Dewald says that "the first thing to remember is to never give up on your dreams".

"If you have something that you want to achieve, go all out for it, no matter how hard it is.

"During the competition the medic had a saying that summed it all up for me: 'When it gets tough, have a cup of cement and harden up.' As soon as you chase your dreams, life has a way of just falling into place."