Meet our four fantastic candidates for the Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 election: Edwin, Martijn, Marc, and Arthur!
Well… “finally I am here!”
I'm Edwin Tromp, 46 years old, and I live with Anton. I have two daughters aged 19 and 21, and Anton loves to play the role of the wicked stepmother.
The reason I want to take part in the competition now is deeply connected to that. I’m pansexual – a realisation that took me quite some time to reach. My life’s journey has taken many detours, full of challenges and growth, ultimately leading to self-acceptance. These experiences have shaped me into who I am today: grounded, with an open heart.
I now work in hospitality with passion, and I feel most fulfilled when people can forget their worries and enjoy themselves – especially when they don’t have that sense of safety at home. I organise FetishKinkUtrecht and Sneaky, and I contribute to LeatherSocialUtrecht and BearNecessity. I’ve also helped with Fetish at Pride Amsterdam, Amsterdam Sportswear Weekend 2024, and several other events.
My many years of coaching training forced me to look deeply at myself. I came from a place where it was “normal” for me to avoid being in photos. Where I could say, without flinching, that I found myself hideous. That I didn’t deserve love. Slowly, through my children, I started to see things differently. Then I met Anton – someone like me, carrying a backpack full of issues – and together we set off on a journey. Through him, I found my way into the bear community. But, as with many spaces before, I didn’t immediately feel at home.
Yet the bear community brought me so close to myself that I initially didn’t dare to embrace it. Over the years, I got to know the people and the diversity within the community – and through them, I got to know myself. Instead of putting on a show or trying to appear “put together”, I found peace – and a sense of belonging – that helped me tap into my own strength. I realised that vulnerability is also a strength, even though it's often seen as a weakness. I’m someone who wants to protect when needed, and love when I can.
That’s why now feels like the right time to join the competition. For me, it’s not about looks or perfection – it’s about realness. About being seen, and seeing others. About building a community where everyone feels at home – especially those who sometimes feel they don’t quite belong. I want to be a face for everyone who has confronted themselves, and now dares to live with pride. Despite all the challenges, our community has every right to be proud – of both the community itself and of who we are as individuals.
I still see many people moving in and around our community, who don’t fully feel they belong. In my year as Mister, I want to create space to be different – and organise events in various places to bring the bear community together. I want to shine as much light as possible on a community that is both strong as a bear and soft as a teddy. For ourselves, and for those who need it.
A little introduction...
My name is Martijn, born 41 years ago in Den Helder. In 2023, I left the family home and immediately emigrated across the border – which felt like a huge relief.
In daily life, I work from home as a transport manager for a taxi and coach company in Amsterdam. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, there’s no need to go into the office – just the occasional trip to Amsterdam to show my face.
I spend my free time with my aquariums – yes, I’ve got five freshwater and one saltwater tank. I also swim with the lifeguard association and practise boxing – real physical sparring. Another passion of mine is off-road driving in my all-wheel drive (4x4) through the mud and completing agility courses.
In the bear community, I’m usually quiet and more in the background – I prefer going to events in Germany, Belgium or Paris. Putting myself in the spotlight for the Mr. Bear contest is a whole new experience for me – honestly, I don’t quite know what to expect. But I’m excited to meet new people!
Why am I entering the Mr. Bear competition...?
To be honest, I signed up for Mr. Bear on impulse. I really have no idea what to expect, so I’m just going to let it all come to me. Maybe that’s for the best – if I knew everything in advance, it might take away the excitement and surprise.
What I hope to achieve as Mr. Bear...
I see myself as a Gabberbear – I usually go to HOM parties with friends, which is a very different world from the traditional bear scene. What I’d like to show is that the bear scene includes a wide range of fetishes and subcultures – such as costumes, sportswear, leather, latex, and streetwear (gabber style).
A Teddy Bear with a Mission – that’s me, Marc. As a proud J-pouch wearer, I know what it’s like to live with an invisible illness such as Ulcerative Colitis. But that doesn’t stop me from living life to the fullest – with pride, visibility, and a whole lot of love for the community.
With a heart as big as my beard and a passion for both the bear and pup play communities, I’m dedicated to inclusivity, self-love, and celebrating who you are. As a creative soul, puppy lover, and open-minded bear friend, I bring warmth, colour, humour – and that unmistakable touch of Disney magic.
My candidacy for Mr. Bear Netherlands 2025 is about more than just a title – it’s about sharing stories. Stories about medical diversity, about living with a pouch or stoma, about breaking down stigma and celebrating authenticity – whether you're a bear, a pup, or somewhere in between.
Every bear (and pup) deserves a spotlight. Even with a pouch.
Hey! The name’s Arthur. I am 26, and I live in Zaanstad, north of Amsterdam.
I am originally from Belgium, but I moved to the Netherlands almost 2 years ago for love. Because of that, I am fluent in French and English and Dutch. By day, I work in the optical industry and am finishing my optician degree. By night, I give saxophone lessons, play various instruments in multiple wind bands and even conduct my own wind orchestra.
Before moving here permanently, I traveled in and out of the country regularly, making great friends in the process. I've been involved with the Dutch bear community for over five years now and the fetish scene for even longer. Two years ago I even ended up as 1st Runner-Up Mr Bear Belgium
Why should I become Mr Bear? I know how socials work. I also know how to reach the younger generation. Most of all, I want to help people, not only bears, but from all communities. The bear community is the faction of hugs, self-acceptance, and self-care. Our message is more than just “we are bigger, hairier and that’s okay”. It also includes “we are worthy of giving and receiving love. We are allowed to love ourselves and accept our flaws.”That is the message I want to spread to everyone.
As I said, I moved here for love. Unfortunately that didn't last and I lost my partner to substance abuse a few months later. My project as Mister Bear will be to organise charity concerts, where the proceeds would go to organizations who help people who are struggling like he was. Let me be clear: I have no problem with substance use, we have all used them. That being said: When it crosses the line from recreation to addiction, it becomes an unhealthy problem. I want to help the people who are spiraling and try to help them get it under control.
Photos Anton de Bruin Photography
Meet our four fantastic candidates for the Mr Bear Netherlands 2025 election: Edwin, Martijn, Marc, and Arthur!
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