Bodybuilding Motivation: Learn The Inspirational Story of IFBB Pro Shawn Rhoden

Here is the inspirational bodybuilding story of IFBB Pro Shawn Rhoden. This story shows how if you want to accomplish something and you believe in yourself you can accomplish anything regardless of how badly the odds are against you!

From Skinny to Top Bodybuilding Star!

Who would believe a skinny little kid from the island of Jamaica, with the love of soccer would become a top body builder?

Shawn "Flexatron" Rhoden began bodybuilding in 1992. What has transpired since then has been nothing less than spectacular. In '92, Shawn met former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger. Shambourger provided Shawn with the building blocks to create one of the most sculpted, muscular physiques in the nation taking a 155-lb frame and turning it into 260-lbs (in the off season) of solid muscle.

Shawn has accumulated wins in over 10 bodybuilding competitions including the 1997 East Coast Tournament of Champions. In July 1999, he took 2nd in the Jantana Classics Light Heavyweight Division and 3rd in the Light Heavyweight Division of his first NPC Team Universe Trial. He also took 2nd in the Light Heavyweight at the 2001 NPC Team Universe Trial and 2nd at the 2001 IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championship.

Trials and Tribulations

Shawn's success has not come without several trials and tribulations.

1-Disabling Wrist Injury: In 1993, the young athlete cut 9 tendons in his right hand and was told by doctors that he would never be able to write, use a hammer, or play piano, let alone lift heavy weights. In fact, he was told lifting weights could cause permanent damage. Shawn persisted, built strength in his hand, and 14 months after the accident won the Natural Eastern Classic in New Jersey. Again, in January 1996, he was injured.

2-Crippling Back Injury: While squatting over 500lbs at a mere bodyweight of 205lbs, he severely hurt his back causing him to take a year off and leaving his bodybuilding career in jeopardy. He began his bodybuilding training on January 1, 1997 and once again his determination, desire and persistence paid off; he was on stage again on April 26, 1997 competing in the Mid Atlantic Natural Bodybuilding Championship in New Jersey. Having trained for only 4 months following a year long layoff, Shawn placed 2nd in the Light Heavyweight Division and won the show's best poser award.

3-Terrible Loss of His Father: Shawn, who is Jamaican born, moved to the U.S. in 1990 and received his U.S. citizenship, enabling him to compete at a higher level. Although he could have competed in the Jamaican Nationals (the equivalent to the Team Universe he felt he would have had no competition). It has been evident throughout his young career; Shawn has never taken the easy way out. While preparing for the 2002 Nationals, Shawn's father became very ill. Shawn once again put his bodybuilding career on the back burner to focus his attention on his ill father. Shawn lost his father after a year of battling lung cancer. Shawn was devastated; his father was one of his biggest supporters, always in the front row and cheering him on at all his shows. While taking on the grieving process, that really took a toll on Shawn mentally and physically, Shawn engrossed himself in learning more about the horrible disease that took his father's young life.

The Return of the Flexatron

After 6 years Shawn stepped back into the gym doing what he loves most: bodybuilding. It was not easy getting back into the routine of those 5 am wake up calls to start the first meal, getting to the gym and giving it nothing less than a 100%. But Shawn took it one day and one bodybuilding workout at a time and started to make things happen.

Using all of the knowledge that he gained from former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger, he started to rebuild his body through the use of short but intense workouts made up of short 30-second rest between sets, supersets, and drop-sets, emphasizing perfect form in all exercises and constant tension in the muscle. He also spent a lot of time practicing posing and mastering the presentation aspect of the sport.

As a result, in 2009 he came to the North Americans with a package that was undeniable, winning him the Overall Title and turning him into an IFBB Pro. Shawn then took a year off to prepare for his competitive day view as a pro and makes battle at the Europa Supershow placing 16th, which is not a bad spot for his first try at such a competitive bodybuilding show. Allowing the 16th place to fuel his desire to get better, a year later he comes back with a vengeance to claim a solid 3rd place at the same show, earning him a Mr. Olympia invite! He trained and dieted as hard as humanly possible and after waging battle against the best bodybuilders in the world at the Olympia Shawn ends up taking an 11th place, making him one of the top professional bodybuilders in the world! As a result, Shawn got his first big sponsorhip contract with a company called QNT USA and now has tons of projects ahead of him.

Shawn is not only an incredible bodybuilder in terms of the package that he brings on to the stage, but he also has an incredible fighting spirit, work ethic and heart which are the qualities that will take him as far as he wants to go in the sport. Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden is a true champion and his message to everyone is to not give up on your dreams, however impossible these may seem.