Conquer Your Mind, Transform Your Life: Shaun T.’s Journey From ‘Insanity’ to Pro Bodybuilding
If you know Shaun Thompson, better known as Shaun T., the illustrious fitness trainer who created programs like Insanity, Hip-Hop Abs for Beachbody, and others during the aughts to help people chisel their physiques from the comfort of their homes, then you know him as an inspirational figure.
For some, Shaun T. was their introduction to fitness. For others, he was a means of motivation — he literally has “Conquer Your Mind” and “Transform Your Life” tattooed on the backside of his forearms.
BarBend was fortunate to sit down with Shaun T. for an exclusive interview to delve into how he practices what he’s preached his whole career in the fitness industry. Now a professional bodybuilder at age 46, Shaun T. opened up about how he has evolved from cardio extraordinaire to posing his sculpted physique for judges and the new responsibilities to his community that entails.
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Getting Into Bodybuilding
You might think that a well-known fitness celebrity entering the subjective sport of bodybuilding would have a red carpet rolled out for him on judges’ scorecards. However, that was not the case.
Shaun T. didn’t expect special treatment. He trains, diets, and competes as any other bodybuilder would. He is viewed by judges in the amateur and professional ranks in the same light as any athlete competing.
I’m such a goal-oriented person. You have to go in like you’re going to win.
—Shaun T.
Given Shaun T.’s dance background — he minored in Theatre & Dance at Rowan University, has been in multiple theatrical productions, including Pippen, and has danced professionally with megastars like Mariah Carey and Nick Carter — the posing of Classic Physique called to him.
Balancing Bodybuilding & Life
Shaun T’s encounter with the challenges of professional bodybuilding hit hard. For his debut contest, he skimmed down to 3% body fat at 197 pounds, which, even for the Insanity trainer, was extreme.
“I never did this kind of cardio — Insanity-style intervals on the Stairmaster,” Shaun T. recounted. His normal day-to-day activities became arduous chores, “Every step felt like a mile.” The seven weeks of recovery post-show were challenging, physically and mentally, but he rebuilt by focusing on bringing up his back and appreciating the support he had around him.
Shaun T.’s husband, Scott Blokker, is also a bodybuilder who prepped simultaneously. They’d plan out their meals together. Enduring physical hardship with strict discipline further developed their connection. “You have to up your ability to communicate. We’re not going to fight.”
If things ever got tenuous, Shaun T. would go somewhere to change the energy, like when he traveled from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for no reason other than to refocus. “You have to be honest with yourself; that’s the toughest part. If I’m strong mentally, I’m going to do really well.”
Turning Pro
And do well he ultimately did. Shaun T. followed the guidance of coach Justin Horrell and posing coach Kenny Wallach. “What I love most about Justin is that he doesn’t deplete you, so you’re walking around ripped for no reason,” Shaun T. expressed. “You send your check-ins, and you have your plan that afternoon. I need people to be tough on me. [Justin is like] ‘I don’t care if you’re Shaun T; you’re my athlete.’”
“Justin treats his athletes extremely differently. He’s the calmest person in the world,” Shaun T. mentioned. “I was in the depths of despair. I asked Justin to just be my eyes; I can’t look at myself. Justin doesn’t peak you to look good for three weeks; he peaks you to look good for the stage.”
Shaun T.’s trust in his team also extends to his posing coach. “I was scared of Kenny at first, but when you get to know him, he’s like, ‘This is what is going to look best for you.’ It’s like he’s sculpting you,” Shaun T. admired.
Surrounding himself with skillful fitness technicians who knew how to bring out his best was a successful formula. Shaun T. acquired his IFBB Pro Card at the 2024 NPC North American Championships.
Behind the Scenes
Although Shaun T. spoke groundedly about his training and lead-up to competition, stating, “Peak weeks are amazing because the closer I get, I’m locked all the way in. I feel I made it to the next level,” he still remains an icon amongst his peers. Backstage at an elite bodybuilding contest, his competitors share their admiration and respect.
“Everyone knows what you’re going through. The community is great,” Shaun T. said. “It’s really cool to be backstage, and other competitors come up and say, ‘The only reason I’m here is because of Insanity — it started their fitness journey.’”
While expectations for someone partially responsible for the trajectory of his fellow athletes’ competitive forays might be high, once on stage, stress melts away. “The stage feels the same. There are zero nerves. Just get me to the lights,” Shaun T. expressed of the vigor he gains while performing.
To me, bodybuilding is a beauty competition. Your body is your outfit. When the lights hit me — I can live up here.
—Shaun T.
Shaun T.’s competitors might watch his posing routine from backstage, thinking of how he inspired their journey. They can feel assured that he embodies what he preaches. With sincerity in his voice, Shaun T. explained to BarBend how he “familiarizes with the last 70 meters” — a notion from his former track & field days.
The “last 70 meters” is a mantra that regardless of where the finish line is, you know the “last reps will be hard,” but “I have to run through the finish, not to the finish. The release is when I win.”
“You cross the finish line before you get [on stage],” Shaun T. shared. “You’re not falling out of shape before the show. If you give it 100% before you get on stage, you can walk off stage feeling 100%.”
The Transformation & Testosterone
To go from international cardio phenom to professional bodybuilder in a sport where top athletes are enhanced, Shaun T. was honest, open, and knowledgeable about his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Shaun T. added 13 pounds of muscle tissue between his first and second bodybuilding shows. “Two years ago, I started testosterone right after shoulder surgery,” Shaun T. shared. However, the initial reason for taking testosterone was not primarily for his injury or for the stage.
“Things didn’t feel the same in the bedroom,” Shaun T. shared. “I didn’t feel depressed; I just felt less energy. Testosterone was the start of me being like, ‘this feels so good; I feel like myself again.’”
When asked about what else was in his stack, Shaun T. specifically mentioned CJC — a synthetic peptide that stimulates the body’s release of growth hormones — among other peptides. He was not shy about what peptides he takes or why he takes them: primarily for his health and his fitness goals in his mid-40s and beyond.
“Rebalancing hormones is for both genders. Your hormones tell you about your health. You’re damn right I’m going to take testosterone at 46 years old,” Shaun T. expressed. However, he understands that testosterone and the like are not magical substances that transform a physique overnight.
“You won’t look like this if you don’t work hard,” Shaun T. shared. “There’s a lot that goes into it that I wish people knew.” There’s no stigma, “I get my blood work every 30 days.”
“Young guys reach out to me wanting to do testosterone. I tell them to check their blood,” Shaun T. advises. “Build your muscle naturally. I didn’t start testosterone until I was 44 years old. Don’t do it in a non-educated way. Lift, get committed to fitness, understand your macros, learn your body.”
Iconic Responsibility
Shaun T. knows his massive platform and how personal his followers feel toward him. “I have to be mindful of my fanbase and community, which are not fitness professionals; mostly women who work out from home for many reasons — time management, kids, etc.”
“When you see me on show day, it’s just my beauty contest suit. You can’t get attached to that,” Shaun T. advocated. “I wish they could hear how judges actually judge the competitors. It’s about structure and how to bring out your muscles. You don’t have to get there to be successful in your own fitness journey. This is my passion and job, like if you were a violinist — if you love it, you give it a little more. I’m an artist.”
Ultimately, how you train, diet, or anything else that affects your body should be done with understanding and intention. “Your health is your wealth,” Shaun T. declared. “If your mental and physical fitness is intact, you don’t have to be a supermodel because you already are.”
What’s Next?
On November 16, 2024, Shaun T. took to his Instagram page to share his next bodybuilding quest. In the caption of his post, he wrote:
“The reality is THIS SPORT IS A FULL-TIME JOB, but to reach your potential, you have to sometimes set goals that are incredibly tough to achieve. That’s why Justin Horrell and I decided to aim for the Masters Olympia. August 2025 TOKYO!!“
Shaun T. will compete in the Masters Men’s Physique division at the 2025 Masters Olympia in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 22-23, 2025.
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Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. Talking to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine is always a good idea.
Featured image courtesy Strategic Heights | photo by Will Whittmann
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