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Shawn Rhoden: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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By Janet Winikof f
Updated Jul 15, 2019 at 8:41pm

Ro bert Cianf lo ne/Get t y Images)

Mr. Universe 2018 Shawn Rho den.

F
amed bodybuilder and Mr. Olympia 2018, Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden, 44, is facing first-
degree rape charges after authorities said he sexually assaulted a female bodybuilder.
KSL is reporting that on July 10, Rhoden was charged in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District
Court with rape and object rape, both first degree felonies, and forcible sexual abuse, a second-
degree felony.

The woman told investigators she met with Rhoden on October 12, 2018, in his hotel room in
Sandy, Utah, near Salt Lake City. The woman described Rhoden as a mentor. She said that while
in the room, Rhoden forced himself on her even though she tried to push him off and told him
to stop.

She was only able to get away after telling Rhoden that she needed to go downstairs because an
acquaintance who was waiting for her would know “something was up.”

According to TMZ, the woman went to the police to file a report and underwent a sexual assault
examination. A DNA sample taken from the woman’s body matched a sample provided by
Rhoden.

There’s a warrant for his arrest and bail has been set at $750,000 however, it’s unclear if the
Santa Barbara, California resident will be turning himself over to authorities or if police will be
formally arresting him.

At 5’10 and 260 pounds, Rhoden is considered a bodybuilding superstar, with over 1.6 million
Instagram followers.

Here’s what you need to know about Shawn Rhoden.

1. Rhoden is Prohibited From Competing in Future Mr. Olympia

Competitions
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Thank you for giving me the strength I needed to make my dream a reality. With all the detours and
setbacks, you would not let me quit. #faith #blessed #grateful #dontgiveup #neverquit #driven
#shawnrhoden #flexatronrhoden #flexatron
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David Pecker, chairman of the publishing powerhouse American Media, LLC (AMI) which owns
the Mr. Olympia competition, announced on July 12 he was revoking Rhoden’s 2019
competition eligibility as well as eligibility to participate in all future Mr. Olympia competitions.

Get t y

David Pecker (lef t ) wit h Kelly Bensimo n in 2010.

Pecker said he was suspending all promotion of Rhoden in magazines under AMI’s umbrella
including Muscle & Fitness, “until the legal process has been completed,” an AMI press release
states.

Rhoden’s trainer, Chris Aceto, criticized Pecker’s decision in a July 13 Instagram post.

“It appears…that (Pecker) has jumped the gun and decided a Mr. Olympia – accused of a crime-
must be guilty of a crime without due process, without a trial, without picking up a phone and
asking the competitor “what the hell is going on?” Aceto wrote.
The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) also released a statement
saying the organization has “not taken any actions for or against Shawn Rhoden.” IFBB
President Jim Manion wrote that the federation and its attorneys were monitoring the case and
wanted to respect the rights of “the accuser, the accused and the company which owns and
operates the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition.”

2. Rhoden Has Won 27 Professional Titles

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Dreams only come through when you stay awake long enough. It will not be easy but it will worth it.
There will be roadblocks and detours, blood, sweat, tears and sacrifices. But it’s your dreams and your
dreams alone, no one can take it away from you unless you quit. #daretodreambigger #dream2believe
#dreambig #thebestisyettocome #igotnext #shawnrhoden #flexatron #dontgiveup #pictureoftheday
#instagram #instagood @mrolympiallc @olimp_sport_nutrition @olimp_born_in_the_gym
@sportscenter @therealtechnician @bodyengineers @hummerusafitness @ifbb_pro_league
@bevsgym @sportscenter @jagware_suits @trifectasystem @schieksportsinc @stanimal9
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Known as “Flexatron,” and “The Maryland Muscle,” Rhoden has won 27 professional and five
amateur titles.

While he is best known for his 2018 upset of longtime Mr. Olympia winner Phil Heath, Rhoden
has competed in several other national and international events including the IFBB Arnold
Classic, IFBB British Grand Prix, IFBB the Dubai Pro, IFBB Dallas Europa Show, and EVLS
Prague Pro.

When asked by RXMuscle about his Mr. Olympia win at the age of 43, Rhoden responded that
“age is just a bunch of numbers put together for lazy people,” but admitted the win at middle
age was a challenge. Listen, this wasn’t easy by a long shot. I got my ass kicked every day in the
gym.”
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̅. SWIPE SWIPE SWIPE ̅ Good morning fitness family. Please take a moment to wish the best of the
best at what he does, the one and only @therealtechnician a Happy Birthday. What started as just a
phone called wanting to make the top ten at the Olympia in 2012. Forged a friendship and a bond that
took us around the world and on top of the sport. Thank you Mr Chris Aceto for everything that you
have done for me. Thank you for believing in me from day one. I wish you a Happy Birthday and many
more to come. #thankful #grateful #mentor #instagood #instagram #flexing #art #teamaceto
#thebestisyettocome #mrolympia
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 Add a comment...

Rhoden credited coach Chris Aceto with his consistent wins. “Chris has never steered me
wrong,” he said.

3. Rhoden Was Originally Mentored by Trainer Yohnnie Shambourger

Yohnnie Shambourger
about 8 years ago

Yohnnie and Tony Horton (P90X Trainer) comparing "Guns"...Washington, DC...

NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo.

14 7 Share

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Rhoden moved to Maryland with his family in 1990 where he was
introduced to the sport of bodybuilding by his cousin at the age of 17.

Rhoden started thinking about competing after meeting famed trainer and former Mr. Universe,
Yohnnie Shambourger. Rhoden credits Shambourger with his initial success.
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The Yohnnex Effect! #yohnnexmuscle #yohnnieshambourger

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“Shambourger provided Shawn with the building blocks to create one of the most sculpted,
muscular physiques in the nation taking a 155-lb frame and turning it into 260-lbs (in the
offseason) of solid muscle,” Rhoden’s website said.

Shambourger, who has won several bodybuilding titles, claims to have a unique system for
reshaping a person’s body. He has a Bachelor of Science and a Master degree in Physical
Education from Howard University where he also served as the university’s head swimming
coach from 1976-1987.

In addition to conducting various training programs and boot camps through his company,
Yohnnex Sports Incorporated, Shambourger writes health, fitness and nutrition articles for
bodybuilding publications including FLEX Magazine, Ironman Magazine, and Muscular
Development Magazine.

4. Rhoden Was Once an Alcoholic

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“I’ve been trying to tell y’all, its’s not your circumstances or situation, that determines if you gonna be
successful or not. I’ve been telling you it’s your mindset! It’s the way you see it. It’s the way you think it
right!”
Eric Thomas
#thebestisyettocome #staytuned #iam #shawnrhoden #flexatronrhoden #flexatron
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With Shambourger as his mentor, Rhoden set his sights on becoming a competitive bodybuilder.
But the up-and-coming bodybuilder’s life took a turn in the mid-1990s when he injured his back
and then tore nine tendons in his right hand. Both injuries occurred while training. When his
father Lloyd died of lung cancer in 2002 Rhoden turned to alcohol.

“There was a point in my life when I was at my all-time low, I was an alcoholic, I was depressed
and I was suicidal after the death of my father. LIFE HAPPENS.

“I’ve been to hell and back. I drank every day, Papa John’s pizza was on speed dial and Little
Debbie, Twinkies, cupcakes, Ho Ho and Honeybuns were stacked in my nightstand,” he said.

An alcoholic for seven years, Rhoden sobered up after going to the bathroom one day and
urinating blood. “He stopped alcohol cold turkey and turned his focus back into bodybuilding,”
his website says.

By 2009 Rhoden had joined the IFBB and earned his pro-card, allowing him to compete
professionally.

5. Rhoden’s Partner Is Beauty Entrepreneur Michelle Sugar

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Wherever you go I will follow. We are stronger together as one. No matter what the future holds we
have each other. One goal, one dream working together for a better tomorrow.
@michelle_sugarsb
Ӹ @clearscopemedia #Godfirst #eyesonourdream #dreambig #familyfirst #faith
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Rhoden has been in a long-term relationship with Michelle Sugar, a businesswoman who owns a
popular all-natural hair removal salon in Santa Barbara, California called Sugar. The couple has
a daughter named Cora Capri.

Rhoden credited his family with helping him win the 2018 Mr. Olympia title.
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“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath
away.” -
-
For a moment, time stood still. To stand there and see the smile in my princesses eyes makes my
heart rejoice with joy. We will forever share this moment. I thank you Jesus everyday for
@michelle_sugarsb and her. They are my reason and my purpose. #familyfirst #dreambig
#shawnrhoden #flexatron #bodybuilding #bodybuilder #ifnotmewho @ryanloco Ӹ
@hummerusafitness @trifectasystem @feastmodeflavors @schieksportsinc @herbstrong
@ifbb_pro_league @mrolympiallc @psychofitness21 @therealtechnician @stanimal9
@ifbb_pro_league @shawnrhodenclassic @otechlabs @otechlabs
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“For a moment, time stood still. To stand there and see the smile in my princesses eyes makes
my heart rejoice with joy. We will forever share this moment. I thank you, Jesus, every day for
@michelle_sugarsb and her. They are my reason and my purpose,” he wrote after the big win.

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