Untold storyof Shawn Ray
One of the most admired physiques of bodybuilding's golden era. This is his story, and how it led to PumpLab.
Before the titles
Born in 1965 in Fullerton, California, Shawn found the stage early. By his late teens he was already collecting titles: Teenage Mr. California in 1984, then the Teenage National Championships in 1985.
National champion
1987 was the breakthrough. He won Mr. California and then the National Championships, both in the light heavyweight class and overall. That earned him his pro card, and in 1988 he made his IFBB debut at the Night of Champions.
Twelve years at the top
From 1990 to 2001 he entered the Mr. Olympia twelve times and never once finished outside the top five. Twice he came second, in 1994 and in 1996.
- 1990Into the top fiveThe first of twelve straight Mr. Olympia top five finishes.
- 1991Arnold ClassicTakes the Arnold Classic title.
- 1994Runner-upSecond place at Mr. Olympia.
- 1996Runner-up againSecond at Mr. Olympia for the second time.
- 2001The last bowRetires after his twelfth straight top five finish.
On Arnold’s stage
March 1990 at the Arnold Classic, next to Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. A year later, in 1991, Shawn won the Arnold Classic.
Built on stage
On the cover
Through the 90s he was one of the most photographed men in the sport.
Still in the game
More than 40 years after his first stage he is still one of bodybuilding's best-known voices. He retired from competition in 2001 but never left the sport: muscle camps, seminars, emceeing contests, the book The Shawn Ray Way and, in 2020, the Ben Weider Lifetime Achievement Award.
Writer. Host. Historian.
He co-hosted Flex Magazine Workout on ESPN, commentated bodybuilding for ESPN and hosts the Mr. Olympia broadcast. In 2007 he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.
Why Shawn joined us
He has seen every trend in the industry come and go. When he joined PumpLab, it was on his own terms.
I was looking for products that would align with my fitness changes yet strong enough to keep me balanced and energetic. PumpLab checked all the boxes making it easy for me to join the team!
On PumpLab
I joined PumpLab for the simple fact that their vision and product development is progressive and effective!
Once you compare the effectiveness of the products to the taste you see why it's a One Stop Shop!
Built with Shawn
The flavours Shawn put his name on.
