Who is Shawn Rhoden?
Shawn Rhoden (also known as Flexatron), a professional bodybuilder who began playing soccer in high school, was a legend in the sport.
The IFBB Pro has participated in several tournaments and served as an example for many athletes.
Shawn Rhoden’s journey was a rollercoaster of emotions as he lost his father in 2002 and endured a horrible back injury in 1993.
Body Measurements of Shawn Rhoden
| Full Name: Shawn Rhoden |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: 1975 |
| ERA: 2010 |
| PROFESSION: Professional Bodybuilder |
| NATIONALITY: Jamaican/American |
| ALIAS: Flexatron |
| HEIGHT: 5’10” (177.5cm) |
| WEIGHT: 245 – 255lbs (111.1 – 115.7kg) |
Accomplishments
Professional
- 2016 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
- 2015 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
- 2015 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
- 2014 IFBB San Marino Pro – 1st
- 2014 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
- 2014 Dubai Pro – 2nd
- 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd
- 2014 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
- 2014 IFBB Australian Pro – 1st
- 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd
- 2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 4th
- 2013 Mr. Olympia – 4th
- 2012 IFBB EVL’s Prague Pro – 2nd
- 2012 IFBB British Grand Prix – 1st
- 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 1st
- 2012 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
- 2012 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow – 1st
- 2012 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro – 1st
- 2012 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic – NP
- 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic – 8th
- 2012 IFBB FLEX Pro – 4th
- 2011 Mr. Olympia – 11th
- 2011 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 3rd
- 2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 16th
Amateur
- 2009 IFBB North American Championships – 1st
- 2009 NPC Delaware Open Bodybuilding – 1st
- 2001 NPC Team Universe Championships – 2nd
- 2000 NPC Team Universe Championships – 4th
- 1999 NPC Team Universe Championships – 3rd
- 1996 National Eastern Classic, New Jersey, 1st
- 1997 Mid-Atlantic National Bodybuilding Championship, Posers Award, and 2nd Overall
Biography of Shawn Rhoden
Childhood and Immigration to America
Shawn Rhoden, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica, was quite sporty as a child and enjoyed playing cricket and soccer whenever he had the opportunity. He began to dislike his appearance because he was undersized for his age.
In 1990, Shawn’s family immigrated to the US. Shawn sought to find something to cling to after being dropped into the unknown without any friends; he discovered his passion in bodybuilding.
The future IFBB Pro’s passion for bodybuilding had grown two years later when he was 17 years old, and he began working out to get bigger and stronger. Shawn’s fitness career started at this point in 1992.
The Hand
Shawn met Yohhnie Shambouger, the Mr. Universe champion, in the same year, and he encouraged and pointed him in the direction of professional bodybuilding.
Flexatron was motivated by this encounter and upped his efforts to create the body of his dreams.
At the age of 24, seven years later, Shawn had developed an impressive body and was almost prepared for his first tournament. Disaster came, nevertheless, as he tore nine tendons in his right hand in a gym accident in 1993.
Shawn could have been rendered incapacitated and his efforts undone, but he was determined to keep going.
He persisted in working out hard against the physicians’ recommendations to reach his objective of turning into a professional bodybuilder.
Death
Shawn passed away at the age of 46 on November 6, 2021, from a heart attack. The former champion’s death has not yet received an official announcement as of the time of writing, but according to Shawn’s trainer Chris Aceto, the news was confirmed to close friends.
A back injury in the first competition
At the age of 21, Shawn entered his first competition — the 1996 National Eastern Classic in New Jersey — following several years of rigorous training.
Shawn was able to win the prize thanks to Yohhnie Shambouger’s knowledgeable direction.
However, the news wasn’t all rosy for Flexatron. He was sidelined for six months by a back injury he sustained in the same year.
Get back on stage
Shawn Rhoden didn’t spend any time after getting over his back injury returning to the gym and signing up for the 1997 Mid-Atlantic National Bodybuilding Championship.
Shawn made a strong return, finishing second overall and earning the Posers Award for his stage performance.
For the Flexatron, things were improving, but then his entire world was turned upside down.
Death of a Father
Shawn’s father lost his fight with lung cancer and died in 2002. The news didn’t sit well with Shawn, so he turned to booze to cope with his sorrow.
Flexatron gave up exercising and lived an alcoholic lifestyle for the following six years.
Road to Recovery
For the former champion, there was still some optimism. After much convincing from his pals, Shawn finally sought help and entered a rehabilitation facility.
After receiving treatment, he turned 34 and entered the 2009 IFBB-North-American-Championships to win shows. Flexatron took first place and won the trophy because of guts and perseverance.
He was also given an IFBB Pro Card as a result of this triumph. Shawn had finally succeeded in becoming a professional bodybuilder after ten years of hardship.
Professional Life
He made his professional debut at the 2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show a year later. The increase in competition hit Shawn hard, and he regrettably finished 16th.
He wasn’t going to give up, though.
He went back to the same stage in 2011 and much improved on his previous performance, finishing an amazing third.
Shawn had not only accomplished yet another amazing comeback, but he had also earned a spot in the famous Mr. Olympia competition.
Show Mr. Olympia
Even though Shawn finished 11th in the Mr. Olympia that year, he had just begun. Flexatron achieved notable results between 2012 and 2016, taking third place in both the 2014 and 2015 Mr. Olympia.
Shawn’s greatest accomplishment, though, came in 2016, when he turned 41 and finished second in a hotly contested Mr. Olympia.
Nutrition of Shawn Rhoden
Shawn Rhoden adheres to a strict diet when competing to preserve his body and present the whole picture.
But he also thinks that having a bulking off-season where he won’t measure his calories but will instead assume his consumption is important.
Lean proteins, good fats, and complex carbohydrates are the main components of his six daily meals.
“I think you have to get rid of the idea that you need to have a six-pack when it comes to bulking up. Many men, I believe, struggle with it because they are so accustomed to seeming competition-ready.
Diet Plan
Shawn’s diet plan would look something like this:
- Meal 1 – A cup and a half of oatmeal, 15 egg whites, and three whole eggs.
- Meal 2 – Chicken, rice, vegetables
- Meal 3 – Steak, potatoes, carrots
- Meal 4 – Lean ground beef, rice, vegetables
- Meal 5 – Chicken and vegetables
- Meal 6 – Protein shake with peanut butter, cinnamon, oatmeal, and ice
Influences and Idols
When Shawn was at his lowest point in life, Lenore Caroll, in particular, helped him get back on track.
However, Johnnie Shambouger and Kai Green, who have both been incredibly encouraging from the start, have always been his inspirations and key influencers.
What can Shawn Rhoden teach us?
Shawn has taught us to keep going in life no matter how hopeless things seem. He survived two injuries, the death of his father, and recovered to become a fitness legend.
One lesson we can learn from Shawn’s tale is to always accept assistance from those who are ready to provide it. Johnnie Shambouger has been crucial to Shawn’s success ever since he took him under his wing.