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

Gleb Savchenko is trading in his Dancing shoes for cowboy boots — and not much else.

In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at the December cover story of Playgirl, the Dancing with the Stars pro, 41, strips down to his skivvies, posing in both boxers and briefs in a series of Western-themed pictures snapped at Harmony Sails,  a home on 20 acres in the high desert of Morongo Valley above Palm Springs, Calif.

Speaking with the publication for the cover story, Savchenko reminisces on how he found himself living a life so different from his upbringing. Though he is now a famed dancer (and national heartthrob), Savchenko revealed he grew up behind the Iron Curtain.

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

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

When he came to Los Angeles, Savchenko said he was searching 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 like something was not right about 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 were just not on the same frequency. The energy just wasn’t working,” he explained.

Savchenko went on to note that it was “hard to stay still,” so he began meditating — a practice he has maintained. He even took the Playgirl interview from a last-minute escape to Joshua Tree, a place he said his “inner child” was calling him.

“I have a long way to go, but that’s what I want to tap into more,” Savchenko said. “It just helps me to be who I am.”

These days, Savchenko is staying busy as a motivational speaker, a choreographer and a guest host for the Chippendales’ show in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. He’s also stepping into the acting world with two upcoming roles in Swing Into Romance beside DWTS season 18 celeb Danica McKellar, and True North, playing an European actor who makes it in Hollywood.

“I’m super excited for this chapter of my life and, between rehearsals for [Dancing with the Stars] season 33, I’ve never [looked forward] to dancing and performing more,” he told the outlet.

His trip to the desert came at the same time as speculation about his relationship with season 33 DWTS partner Brooks Nader. The two were partners until their elimination in week 5, but fans only grew more interested after a video of them making out backstage was posted on social media.

Brooks later revealed that the two were 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, ‘Picked up my stuff. I’m going to Joshua Tree tomorrow for a few nights. We should have a conversation but I think I’m done,’” Nader read their texts aloud during a Nov. 26 TikTok live stream. “‘I care about you. I think you’re an amazing person. You always have a special place in my heart. I love you.’ That was on October 23.”

“I never responded,” she went on. “Then, October 25, he said, ‘I miss you.’ Then, October 26, ‘I’m so sorry, I want to talk to you. I actually miss you.’ Then, of course, we had a little chit-chat.”

The pair ended up rekindling their fling, although 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 I’m having fun hanging out with him,” she said.

Dancing with the Stars is streaming on Hulu and Disney+.