Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Shawn was very athletic growing up, playing soccer and cricket whenever he had the chance. However, he was small for his age and started to become unhappy with his physique. Shawn and his family moved to the US in 1990. Thrown into the unknown without any friends, Shawn needed to find something to hold on to - he found his passion in bodybuilding. Two years later, at the age of 17, the future IFBB Pro's interest in bodybuilding had blossomed and he entered the gym to gain size and strength. It was at this point, in 1992, that Shawn's fitness journey began. 7 years later, at the age of 24, Shawn had sculpted a formidable physique and he was almost ready for his first competition. However, disaster struck - in 1993, he ripped 9 tendons in his right hand from an accident in the gym. This injury could've put Shawn out of action and ruined his progress, but he refused to give up. Against the doctors' advice, he continued working out rigorously to achieve his goal of becoming a professional bodybuilder. After recovering from his back injury, Shawn wasted no time in returning to the gym and entering the 1997 Mid-Atlantic National Bodybuilding Championship. Making a strong comeback, Shawn secured the Posers Award for his stage performance, as well as placing 2nd in the Overall. After rehabilitation, at the age of 34, he set his sights on winning shows and entered the 2009 IFBB-North-American-Championships. Through grit and determination, Flexatron walked away with the trophy after being placed 1st. This victory also meant that he was awarded an IFBB Pro Card. After a decade of adversity, Shawn had finally become a professional bodybuilder.Shawn was placed 11th in the Mr. Olympia that same year, but he was only just getting started. Over the course of 2012-2016, Flexatron placed in numerous high-profile competitions, including 3rd places in the 2014 and 2015 Mr. Olympia, 2nd in 2016. However, by 2018, at the age of 43, Shawn had reached his greatest achievement yet - that year, he managed to become Mr. Olympia.

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Shawn Rhoden

Self