Classic Shawn

10 Questions With Shawn Ray

1. You’re one of the few bodybuilders that competed in three different decades – the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s. Who do you think was the best bodybuilder of those three decades?

I’d have to say Lee Haney for various reasons:

• Lee won his first Olympia title at the tender age of 24 on his second try!

• Lee, at the time he turned pro, was the youngest NPC Overall Champion at 22 years old.

• Lee was a former Teenage and Junior National Champion prior to winning the Nationals and Mr. Universe in the same year!

• Lee won eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, breaking Arnold’s record of seven!

• Lee was the biggest Mr. Olympia ever after winning his first title in 1988 through 1991 at 250 pounds!

• Lee retired from competition at 31 years young.

2. How did you pair your body parts when you trained for competition?

I kept things basic and simple with a three on, one off approach mostly, but on pre-contest I’d train six days straight, one day off.

Day 1: Chest and shoulders

Day 2: Legs

Day 3: Back and arms

Cardio 5 days per week

Abs and calves three times a week

3. Can you explain why so many people love to hate you? I’ve read about the many positive things you’ve done for the sport and your numerous accomplishments, but there’s so much trash I hear from various social media warriors that I get confused as to what to believe.

Like anyone that’s busy working hard and making moves, there are people who envy that and want to pull you down. I call them “haters.” Does it bother me? No. I don’t give negativity any weight and very little energy. I take note and put it to memory for the time and place I need to dig deeper, work harder and achieve more. It’s motivation for me when others who don’t know me take time from their day and their lives to trash talk a hardworking, good person trying to feed his family. My conscience is clear, and my reputation, prestige and résumé are still being written. Never in my life has a negative comment about me taken hold in my mind, heart or my pursuit of greatness to a degree that I’d allow myself to be affected by a stranger talking crap on my body of work or personality.

4. Who was the most famous person you’ve ever met?

Through bodybuilding, I’ve traveled the world and met many celebrities and athletes such as Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan, Sly Stallone, Kobe Bryant, Rosey Grier, Triple H, Dwayne Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ice-T, Shaquille O’Neal and Arnold, to name a few. However, no one was more impressionable and impactful in my life than Joe Weider. We went on to work together from my first Flex magazine cover when I was only 20 years old well into my retirement from competition in 2001.

5. Do you think playing football before you became a bodybuilder helped you succeed where others failed?

There’s no question playing football from ages 8 to 18 helped me understand the importance of hard work, pain and preparation. I was able to channel that energy every time I stepped into the gym for the beating my body was going to endure. I’d set small challenges for myself in order to win the next contest. Training through failure and coming back from defeat were all good lessons I learned playing football that were transferable into bodybuilding competition that I used as an advantage versus other non-athlete bodybuilders.

6. Is it better to eat before you train or after?

I prefer training on an empty stomach. I like to do fasted cardio first thing in the morning on the treadmill or stationary bike for about 30-45 minutes then hit the weights after stretching. In this way my belly is empty and if you’ve ever thrown up during or after training, you know what I’m talking about after heavy back or leg day!

7. How long should I train before I hit the stage to compete?

Personally, you don’t have to “prepare” to compete as if it were the Mr. Olympia but you need to put in the work if you’re going to actually get in front of a crowd, family or friends. I competed after six months of preparation and four weeks of dieting. The best thing for me was to see photos so I could get a read on what body parts needed work, which in reality was all of them as I was only 17 years old.

8. This year’s Mr. Olympia will be at Planet Hollywood on the strip in Las Vegas. What do I need to know as a fan?

No doubt this year is gonna be a massive production! The Zappos Theater inside Planet Hollywood is the best venue for shows, concerts and entertainment, bar none! First, get your tickets early. Second, please visit the website www.mrolympia.com for the weekend event schedule as there are a ton of events happening plus the Olympia Expo returns to the all-new Venetian Expo and Convention Center only about a mile away from Plant Hollywood.

9. We saw you took your MUTANT team to iconic Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California. What was it like to return to your old stomping grounds at the MECCA?

Man, what a rush. We filmed some great training footage for our YouTube channel and I got to share a lot of stories. Meeting Arnold, the pictures on the walls. A true walk down memory lane. The day wouldn’t have been complete without a BIG meal at The Firehouse! Really a great day for our crew.

10. A lot of great feedback pouring in for MUTANT’S latest product – FLEX FOOD™. What’s your take?

Busy lives mean we are all short on time. I travel so much that to have a packet or two ready to go in my bag allows me to stay on track. Remember this is a full, real food-based meal replacement, so you can avoid the fast-food emergency. Just mix it up in a shaker with water and ice and you’re done. Loving this.

This year’s Mr. Olympia is gonna be a massive production! The Zappos Theater inside Planet Hollywood is the best venue for shows, concerts and entertainment, bar none! Get your tickets early.

Instagram @shawnrayifbbpro

Facebook @TheRealShawnRay

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Twitter @sugarshawnray

NEW MUTANT ALL-IN

Shawn Ray Signature

Full Dose Pre-Workout

“This one is a game-changer. Lift big. Get big. It’s that simple. I have my signature on this product for a reason. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of training, nutrition and hard work all wrapped into one amazing formula. From the weight rack to the Olympia stage, I have always been ALL-IN. Now it’s your turn.”-Shawn Ray

For more information, visit iammutant.com

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