If you recognize Shaun Thompson, higher referred to as Shaun T., the illustrious health coach who created packages like Madness, Hip-Hop Abs for Beachbody, and others in the course of the aughts to assist individuals chisel their physiques from the comfort of their homes, then you recognize him as an inspirational determine.
For some, Shaun T. was their introduction to health. For others, he was a method of motivation — he actually has “Conquer Your Thoughts” and “Rework Your Life” tattooed on the bottom of his forearms.
BarBend was lucky to take a seat down with Shaun T. for an unique interview to delve into how he practices what he’s preached his entire profession within the health business. Now knowledgeable bodybuilder at age 46, Shaun T. opened up about how he has advanced from cardio extraordinaire to posing his sculpted physique for judges and the brand new duties to his neighborhood that entails.
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Getting Into Bodybuilding
You would possibly assume {that a} well-known health celeb coming into the subjective sport of bodybuilding would have a crimson carpet rolled out for him on judges’ scorecards. Nevertheless, that was not the case.
Shaun T. didn’t count on particular remedy. He trains, diets, and competes as some other bodybuilder would. He’s seen by judges within the newbie {and professional} ranks in the identical gentle as any athlete competing.
I’m such a goal-oriented individual. You must go in such as you’re going to win.
—Shaun T.
Given Shaun T.’s dance background — he minored in Theatre & Dance at Rowan College, has been in a number of theatrical productions, together with Pippen, and has danced professionally with megastars like Mariah Carey and Nick Carter — the posing of Classic Physique known as to him.
Balancing Bodybuilding & Life
Shaun T’s encounter with the challenges {of professional} bodybuilding hit onerous. For his debut contest, he skimmed down to three% body fat at 197 kilos, which, even for the Madness coach, was excessive.
“I by no means did this sort of cardio — Madness-style intervals on the Stairmaster,” Shaun T. recounted. His regular day-to-day actions turned arduous chores, “Each step felt like a mile.” The seven weeks of restoration post-show have been difficult, bodily and mentally, however he rebuilt by specializing in bringing up his back and appreciating the help he had round him.
Shaun T.’s husband, Scott Blokker, can be a bodybuilder who prepped concurrently. They’d plan out their meals collectively. Enduring bodily hardship with strict self-discipline additional developed their connection. “You must up your means to speak. We’re not going to combat.”
If issues ever obtained tenuous, Shaun T. would go someplace to vary the vitality, like when he traveled from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for no motive aside from to refocus. “You must be trustworthy with your self; that’s the hardest half. If I’m sturdy mentally, I’m going to do very well.”
Turning Professional
And do nicely he in the end did. Shaun T. adopted the steerage of coach Justin Horrell and posing coach Kenny Wallach. “What I really like most about Justin is that he doesn’t deplete you, so that you’re strolling round ripped for no motive,” Shaun T. expressed. “You ship your check-ins, and you’ve got your plan that afternoon. I want individuals to be robust on me. [Justin is like] ‘I don’t care in case you’re Shaun T; you’re my athlete.’”
“Justin treats his athletes extraordinarily in a different way. He’s the calmest individual on this planet,” Shaun T. talked about. “I used to be within the depths of despair. I requested Justin to simply be my eyes; I can’t have a look at myself. Justin doesn’t peak you to look good for 3 weeks; he peaks you to look good for the stage.”
Shaun T.’s belief in his workforce additionally extends to his posing coach. “I used to be terrified of Kenny at first, however while you get to know him, he’s like, ‘That is what’s going to look finest for you.’ It’s like he’s sculpting you,” Shaun T. admired.
Surrounding himself with skillful health technicians who knew methods to convey out his finest was a profitable method. Shaun T. acquired his IFBB Professional Card on the 2024 NPC North American Championships.
Behind the Scenes
Though Shaun T. spoke groundedly about his coaching and lead-up to competitors, stating, “Peak weeks are wonderful as a result of the nearer I get, I’m locked all the way in which in. I really feel I made it to the following stage,” he nonetheless stays an icon amongst his friends. Backstage at an elite bodybuilding contest, his opponents share their admiration and respect.
“Everybody is aware of what you’re going by way of. The neighborhood is nice,” Shaun T. stated. “It’s actually cool to be backstage, and different opponents come up and say, ‘The one motive I’m right here is due to Madness — it began their health journey.’”
Whereas expectations for somebody partially accountable for the trajectory of his fellow athletes’ aggressive forays could be excessive, as soon as on stage, stress melts away. “The stage feels the identical. There are zero nerves. Simply get me to the lights,” Shaun T. expressed of the vigor he positive factors whereas performing.
To me, bodybuilding is a magnificence competitors. Your physique is your outfit. When the lights hit me — I can dwell up right here.
—Shaun T.
Shaun T.’s opponents would possibly watch his posing routine from backstage, pondering of how he impressed their journey. They’ll really feel assured that he embodies what he preaches. With sincerity in his voice, Shaun T. defined to BarBend how he “familiarizes with the final 70 meters” — a notion from his former monitor & subject days.
The “final 70 meters” is a mantra that no matter the place the end line is, you recognize the “final reps might be onerous,” however “I’ve to run by way of the end, to not the end. The discharge is once I win.”
“You cross the end line earlier than you get [on stage],” Shaun T. shared. “You’re not falling off form earlier than the present. If you happen to give it 100% earlier than you get on stage, you possibly can stroll off stage feeling 100%.”
The Transformation & Testosterone
To go from worldwide cardio phenom to skilled bodybuilder in a sport the place prime athletes are enhanced, Shaun T. was trustworthy, open, and educated about his use of performance-enhancing medicine.
Shaun T. added 13 kilos of muscle tissue between his first and second bodybuilding reveals. “Two years in the past, I began testosterone proper after shoulder surgical procedure,” Shaun T. shared. Nevertheless, the preliminary motive for taking testosterone was not primarily for his damage or for the stage.
“Issues didn’t really feel the identical within the bed room,” Shaun T. shared. “I didn’t really feel depressed; I simply felt much less vitality. Testosterone was the beginning of me being like, ‘this feels so good; I really feel like myself once more.’”
When requested about what else was in his stack, Shaun T. particularly talked about CJC — an artificial peptide that stimulates the physique’s launch of progress hormones — amongst different peptides. He was not shy about what peptides he takes or why he takes them: primarily for his well being and his health targets in his mid-40s and past.
“Rebalancing hormones is for each genders. Your hormones let you know about your well being. You’re rattling proper I’m going to take testosterone at 46 years previous,” Shaun T. expressed. Nevertheless, he understands that testosterone and the like should not magical substances that remodel a physique in a single day.
“You gained’t appear like this in case you don’t work onerous,” Shaun T. shared. “There’s rather a lot that goes into it that I want individuals knew.” There’s no stigma, “I get my blood work each 30 days.”
“Younger guys attain out to me desirous to do testosterone. I inform them to test their blood,” Shaun T. advises. “Construct your muscle naturally. I didn’t begin testosterone till I used to be 44 years previous. Don’t do it in a non-educated manner. Elevate, get dedicated to health, perceive your macros, study your physique.”
Iconic Accountability
Shaun T. is aware of his huge platform and the way private his followers really feel towards him. “I’ve to be aware of my fanbase and neighborhood, which aren’t health professionals; principally ladies who work out from house for a lot of causes — time administration, children, and so forth.”
“Once you see me on present day, it’s simply my magnificence contest go well with. You’ll be able to’t get connected to that,” Shaun T. advocated. “I want they might hear how judges truly decide the opponents. It’s about construction and methods to convey out your muscle groups. You don’t should get there to achieve success in your individual health journey. That is my ardour and job, like in case you have been a violinist — in case you adore it, you give it a bit of extra. I’m an artist.”
Finally, the way you practice, eating regimen, or the rest that impacts your physique ought to be accomplished with understanding and intention. “Your well being is your wealth,” Shaun T. declared. “In case your psychological and bodily health is unbroken, you don’t should be a supermodel since you already are.”
What’s Subsequent?
On November 16, 2024, Shaun T. took to his Instagram web page to share his subsequent bodybuilding quest. Within the caption of his publish, he wrote:
“The truth is THIS SPORT IS A FULL-TIME JOB, however to achieve your potential, it’s important to generally set targets which can be extremely robust to realize. That’s why Justin Horrell and I made a decision to intention for the Masters Olympia. August 2025 TOKYO!!“
Shaun T. will compete within the Masters Males’s Physique division on the 2025 Masters Olympia in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 22-23, 2025.
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Editor’s word: The content material on BarBend is supposed to be informative in nature, however it shouldn’t be taken as medical recommendation. The opinions and articles on this website should not meant to be used as analysis, prevention, and/or remedy of well being issues. Speaking to your physician earlier than starting a brand new health, dietary, and/or complement routine is at all times a good suggestion.
Featured picture courtesy Strategic Heights | picture by Will Whittmann