Gleb Savchenko Strips Down to His Underwear for Playgirl in Blazing Hot Western-Themed Photos (Exclusive)

Gleb Savchenko changes his Dancing shoes for cowboy boots — and nothing more.

Check out the December cover in a PEOPLE exclusive A playerthe Dancing with the stars professional, 41, strips down to his bare legs, poses in both boxers and briefs in a series of western-themed photos taken at Harmony Sails, a home on 20 acres in the high desert of the Morongo Valley above Palm Springs, California.

Speaking to the publication for the cover story, Savchenko recalls how he found a life so different from his upbringing. Although now a famous dancer (and national heartthrob), Savchenko revealed that he grew up behind the Iron Curtain.

“Growing up in communist Russia, training and living on food stamps, gives you a little different perspective on life,” he said, noting that his entire life revolved around competitive dance and strict routines. “[I was] always have that inner child calling ‘get out, run’.”

“They keep us so tight. Everything is like a rat race,” he continued. “But that was the life I knew, and my parents’ mentality was like, ‘Okay, if you do an activity, if we put in our time and effort, you do it 100 percent.’ So I’m trained to always, like, ‘deliver or die’. ”

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Gleb Savchenko for ‘Playgirl’.

Madeline Northway for Playgirl

When he came to Los Angeles, Savchenko said he was looking for a sense of freedom he never had growing up. He soon found DWTS, which fulfilled his dreams for 11 seasons until he began to feel that something was wrong with his life as he faced the pressures of being a public figure.

“My circle of friends kind of changed and I broke up with my girlfriend of almost three years because we just weren’t on the same frequency. The energy just didn’t work,” he explained.

Dancing with the stars‘ Gleb Savchenko Explains That Hot Kiss With Partner Brooks Nader: ‘It’s Natural and Great’ (Exclusive)

Savchenko went on to note that it was “difficult to stay calm,” so he began meditating—a practice he has maintained. He even took it A player interview from a last-minute getaway to Joshua Tree, a place he said calls his “inner child.”

“I have a long way to go, but that’s what I want to make the most of,” Savchenko said. “It just helps me be who I am.”

Gleb Savchenko for ‘Playgirl’.

Madeline Northway for Playgirl

These days, Savchenko is busy as a motivational speaker, choreographer and guest host for Chippendales shows in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He is also entering the world of acting with two upcoming roles in the Swing Into Romance beside DWTS season 18 celebrity Danica McKellar, i true north, playing a European actor who made it in Hollywood.

“I am extremely excited about this chapter of my life and in between rehearsals for [Dancing with the Stars] season 33, I’ve never [looked forward] to dance and perform more,” he told the newspaper.

His trip to the desert came at the same time as speculation about his connection to Season 33 has surfaced DWTS partner Brooks Nader. The two were partners until their elimination in Week 5, but fans became more interested after a video of them kissing backstage was released on social media.

Gleb Savchenko and Brooks Nader during their performance on “Oscar Night” on Dancing with the Stars.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Brooks later revealed that the two had been dating, but Savchenko broke up with her in a text message before leaving for Joshua Tree.

“He was going through something, and then he said, ‘I got my things together. I’m going to Joshua Tree tomorrow for a few nights. We should talk, but I think I’m done,'” Nader read their messages aloud during a live stream on TikTok. in. “I think you are an amazing person. I love you always. It was October 23rd.”

“I never answered,” she continued. “Then, on October 25, he said, ‘I miss you.’ Then, on October 26, ‘I’m so sorry, I want to talk to you. I actually miss you.’ Then, of course, we talked a little.”

The couple eventually rekindled their relationship, though Nader declined to define the relationship during a Dec. 9 interview with PEOPLE. “Listen, he’s such a great person and a great guy and I’ve loved getting to know him and he’s fun to hang out with,” she said.

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Source: HIS Education