Who
would believe a skinny little kid from the island
of Jamaica, with the love of soccer would be a
body builder.
Shawn
"Flexatron" Shawn 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 155lb frame and turning it
into 260lbs (in the off season) of solid muscle.
Shawn has accumulated wins in over 10 competitions
including the 1997 East Coast Tournament of Champions.
In July 1999, he took 2nd in the Jantana Classic’s
Light Heavyweight Division and 3rd in the Light
Heavyweight Division of his first NPC Team Universe
Trial; took 2nd in the Light Heavyweight at the
2001 NPC Team Universe Trial and 2nd at the 2001
IFBB North American Bodybuilding Championship.
Shawn's success has not come without several trials
and tribulations. 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. 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 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.
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.
Now, after 6 years Shawn has stepped back into
the gym doing what he loves most. It hasn’t
been easy getting back into the routine of those
5am wake up calls to start the first meal, getting
to the gym and giving it nothing less than a 100%.
Shawn is taking it one day, one work out at a
time. Although Shawn has been successful, he has
still not reached his potential and anticipates
on winning the 2009 NPC Nationals.
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