Jaymes Vaughan of Chippendales and Amazing Race on cover of Instinct Magazine

The October Issue of Instinct has always been a "vacation/travel" issue, with great gay destinations near and far  to explore—and the 2012 edition is certainly no exception. This year, Instinct managed to find a cover guy who is not just easy on the eyes, but also knows a thing or two about frequent flying. That’s because this month, The Amazing Race contestant Jaymes Vaughan is opening up his baggage and telling all to Instinct! 

Frequent Las Vegas visitors may recognize Jaymes from his hosting gig of the Chippendales show, but Instinct gets all up close and personal with this Southern boy in this month’s cover story, “The Incredible Journey.” Jaymes shares that though he may have literally been around the world and back for a reality show, it’s his journey of self-discovery that he’s most proud of. From a sheltered, religious upbringing to eventually setting up roots in, of all places, Sin City, this charmer is proving true beauty is, in fact, more than skin deep.

Read the whole article at Instinct Magazine.

And just in case you forgot, here's Jaymes's calendar shot from The Chippendales:

Add caption

Amazing Race starts this Sunday - Team Chippendales crushes eating challenge

Now THAT'S how to win an eating challenge!

Go Team Chippendales!

Amazing Race promo featuring Chippendales' Jaymes & James

Go Team Chippendales!

I love James on the cuffs and collars: "I'm here to party, but I want to be formal."

Can't wait for this Sunday. Don't miss the start of the Race!

Amazing Race Team Chippendales on THE TALK

Host of "The Amazing Race" Phil Keoghan discusses the show's 21st season and how they're raising the stakes! Plus, he surprises the ladies with an impromptu appearance from Chippendale contestants Jaymes & James!

Had some trouble embedding the clip, so click here for the YouTube video.

The Amazing Race cast announced! Team Chippendales!

Everyone knows I'm a big fan of THE AMAZING RACE. Haven't missed an episode of any season. Love it.

So, of course, I'm excited to see the new season and meet the teams, which were announced today. And lo, and behold, my favorite team already - Team Chippendales!  Scruffy, hunky guys - what's not to like?

Chippendale friends Jaymes Vaughan (left) and James Davis (right).  Here's their video package.

Click pic for larger view

The new season premieres Sunday, September 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network

Go to CBS.com to meet the rest of the teams.

Here is the full list of teams:

Name: Natalie Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Physical Therapy Student

Name: Nadiya Anderson
Age: 26
Hometown: Edgewater, N.J.
Current occupation: Project Coordinator at Bridge2Peace
Connection: Twin Sisters


+++++

Name: Josh Kilmer-Purcell
Age: 43
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Goat Farmer/Advertising Executive/Author

Name: Brent Ridge
Age: 38
Hometown: Sharon Springs, N.Y.
Current occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Beekman 1802
Connection: Goat Farmers/Life Partners

+++++

Name: Rob French
Age: 46
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

Name: Kelley Carrington-French
Age: 50
Hometown: Boston, Ga.
Current occupation: Professional Monster Truck Driver

+++++

Name: Trey Wier
Age: 23
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Current occupation: Land Consultant/Former College Athlete

Name: Alexis “Lexi” Beerman
Age: 22
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Current occupation: Clothing Designer
Connection: Dating

+++++

Name: James LoMenzo
Age: 53
Hometown: Burbank, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional Musician/
Former Band Member of White Lion and Megadeth

Name: Mark “Abba” Abbattista
Age: 45
Hometown: Denver, Colo.
Current occupation: Entertainment Lawyer
Connection: Friends

+++++

Name: Abbie Ginsberg
Age: 31
Hometown: Encinitas, Calif.
Current occupation: Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Name: Ryan Danz
Age: 35
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Current occupation: Financial Service Company Owner
Connection: Dating Divorcees

+++++

Name: Jaymes Vaughan
Age: 30
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales MC

Name: James Davis
Age: 27
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nev.
Current occupation: Chippendales Dancer
Connection: Chippendales Dancers/Best Friends

+++++

Name: Rob Scheer
Age: 52
Hometown: Ketchikan, Alaska
Current occupation: Lumberjack and Entrepreneur

Name: Sheila Castle
Age: 44
Hometown: Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Current occupation: Retail Manager
Connection: Engaged

+++++

Name: Caitlin King
Age: 24
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Current occupation: Special Ed Teacher

Name: Brittany Fletcher
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Current occupation: Medical Device Sales
Connection: Best Friends

+++++

Name: Gary Wojnar
Age: 52
Hometown: Livonia, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher

Name: Will Chiola
Age: 53
Hometown: Dearborn Heights, Mich.
Current occupation: Substitute Teacher
Connection: Best Friends/Substitute Teachers

+++++

Name: Amy Purdy
Age: 32
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Motivational Speaker/Snowboarder
(Amy is a double amputee)

Name: Daniel Gale
Age: 36
Hometown: Summit County, Colo.
Current occupation: Executive Director
Connection: Dating On and Off

"The Amazing Race" - Survivors - and me

From EW.com: The Amazing Race has not been shy about having former CBS reality stars on the show. Boston Rob Mariano and Amber Brkich of Survivor fame played twice, while Big Brother‘s Jeff Schroeder and Jordan Lloyd, as well as Alison Irwin (and her non-Big Brother boyfriend Donny) all have appeared on the program.

But now, for the first time, two winners will team up to compete as Survivor: Africa champ Ethan Zohn and Survivor: The Amazon victor Jenna Morasca head up the cast for the show’s 19th installment (premiering Sept. 25 on CBS), which will also feature some new twists to the game.

For Zohn, racing across the world with his longtime girlfriend is especially sweet considering his recent medical battles after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “Last year I was attached to a pump in complete isolation in a f—ing hospital room, and now I’m out traveling the world with the woman I love. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be okay,” Ethan told EW.com just before embarking on the race. “But if she screws up, I’m gonna kill her.”

Michael, Ethan and I at dinner.  I was 6 weeks out of chemo (still bloated), and Ethan was fighting tough.
This corner of the table was where we talked 'cancer journeys.'

I met Ethan during the time both he and I were facing cancer. I had the opportunity to have dinner with him in NYC with Olivia Newton-John, and he was really in the middle of it.  He and I huddled at the corner of the dinner table and "talked cancer" and the journey ahead. He was clearly in a tough fight but he was always upbeat and knew he would win. And he did. He's a quiet, tough fighter.

For a full list of teams click here.

The duos will experience a few new twists this time around, including the show’s first ever double elimination, and something called the Hazard, which is a penalty that one team will incur right at the starting line. And for the first time ever, The Amazing Race will be visiting the countries of Belgium, Denmark, Malawi, and Indonesia.

My favorite Amazing Race team - spoiler

I am a big fan of The Amazing Race. I have never missed a season or episode.

I just caught up on my DVR, and found my favorite team - Jet and Cord - were eliminated this week. I really, really like these guys. They seems straight-up good guys. Worked hard, never fought and did their very best.

Plus - I'm a native Texan and have a soft spot in my heart for hard working cowboys.

UGH.

The show won't be the same without them. Not sure I care about the results of the rest of the race now.

:(