on't let Jim Neil's looks and disarming smile fool you into thinking that he's just another prettyboy. This Olympian and rowing sensation has competed in two Olympic competitions; he's all about practice, power and perseverance.

Raised in upstate New York, Jim Neil was full-on into athletics as a kid- baseball, skiing, swimming - you name it, he tried it. But it was when he first spied the sign-up sheet for rowing (of all things) his sophomore year of high school that his life began to click. Jim thought it just might be cool. Rowing that is. Yes, Rowing.

Following a successful high school career on the water, Jim was recruited by Rutgers University. It was there that Jim would come into his own. His freshman crew team was undefeated in its first season, but Jim was destined for even greater achievements.

Each year, the National selection committee picks the top two rowers from each college in the United States and invites them to the higher-level selection camp. From there only the best are invited back to try and qualify for the national team.

Jim made the team and it became crystal clear that Jim had hit the right sport at the right time in his life. He rowed at Nationals his junior year at Rutgers. The excitement escalated to a fevered pitch when his team competed in the 1993 World Championships, in Czechoslovakia, and took home thrid place.

Now, at age 30, Jim has rowed on two Olympic teams and finds himself with a burgeoning career as a model. Bikini.com wanted to find out how it all happened - so we went for a row with this inspiring athlete to get the scoop on rowing, modeling, spending time with the family, and keeping in tip-top physical condition.

Row, row, row your boat...