Your energy attracts your community, and we're excited to introduce our Ambassadors, who are true Rock Stars. They've demonstrated that they march to the beat of their own drum, pursue their dreams against the norm, and understand that their health is their wealth. Meet our Rock Solid® Nutrition "Fuel Your Dreams" Ambassador 1-ON-1's, individuals who inspire and, hopefully, ignite a spark within you to say, "Why not me?"
Meet Shawn Taylor!
RS: You made a significant shift from focusing on the mind to prioritizing the body, pursuing an education in fitness, and earning your certification as an AFAA CPT in 2006. What inspired this change in your path?
ST: That's a great question. Toward the end of my corporate career, I found solace in the gym, using it as a means of stress relief. The more time I spent in the gym, the stronger my desire to be there grew. I began to recognize a therapeutic quality to fitness—an alleviation of stress, improved focus, and a clarity I hadn't experienced in years. I was drawn to this new direction. At that time, I had no knowledge of personal training, but I sensed that I was onto something special. If a few months of what I'd consider "subpar training" yielded these results, imagine the potential if I combined counseling techniques with physical training. And just like that, my career as a personal trainer was born.
RS: You've enjoyed considerable success in both professional fitness modeling and bodybuilding. What factors do you believe have contributed to your success in these areas?
ST: Without a doubt, the most significant factor has been the people I've encountered along the way. I've had the privilege of learning from experts who possessed far more knowledge than I did. Their experiences propelled me forward.
In fact, I met Sean Harley, the owner of Rock Solid® Nutrition, through these connections. Despite being older, Sean had considerably more modeling experience and a different type of preparation experience. In fact, I'm currently embarking on my third preparation exclusively using Rock Solid® products, which Sean introduced me to. Another key aspect of my success has been my understanding of my body. You must comprehend how your body reacts to nutrition, supplements, and various exercises to maximize results.
So, you dive in, experiment, and push your boundaries. Making mistakes is how you grow.
RS: Are people often surprised by your age? I know I was when I found out! But jokes aside, can you share five practices you believe can add five years to one's life?
ST: Haha! People frequently express surprise when they discover my age, and it's quite flattering.
Focus on Solutions, Not Problems: Maintain your focus on what you want, not what you currently have.
Relaxation is Key: Learn to relax; that's where you'll find answers, peace, and serenity. Relaxation often leads to solutions, just think of how you recall something once you relax and let go.
Incorporate More Greens: Adding greens to your diet can significantly reduce inflammation in your body.
Embrace Change: Challenge yourself and your body. Become a repository of fitness knowledge to continually adapt and keep growing.
Find Joy in Laughter: Don't hesitate to be goofy and laugh more. Numerous studies have demonstrated the health benefits of hearty laughter.
RS: Do you have any morning or evening rituals that you follow? If so, could you share them with our readers?
ST: Mornings are a sacred time for me, inviolable and dedicated to self-improvement practices such as meditation, quieting the mind, and removing the influence of external media. It's about immersing oneself in stillness and tranquility.
To achieve this, focus on visualizing images or sounds that evoke peace and harness the power to control the wandering mind. This requires practice, specifically working on your R.A.S. (Reticular Activating System), and it's another form of mental training.
Numerous practitioners can assist you in getting started. Amidst the myriad distractions vying for your attention, you must also become a "shiny object" vying for your own attention. This commitment to self-improvement is essential for mastering personal growth.
RS: Can you outline your current training regimen?
ST: Currently, my training split follows a pattern of 3 days on, 1 day off, 2 days on, and another day off. However, this pattern can change based on my goals. During the COVID shutdown, I leaned toward more cardiovascular conditioning and performance training, leading to a split of 4 days on, 1 day off, and 1 day on, for example.
RS: We've seen you whip up culinary creations on Instagram quite often! Could you share a quick, protein-packed recipe with our readers?
ST: Absolutely! One of my favorites is the Rock Solid® Belgium waffle, which packs a whopping 45 grams of protein into each waffle. It's an excellent way to break away from the norm without fearing missing out (FOMO).
RS: Thank you so much for taking the time, Shawn! Is there anything else you'd like to add or share with our readers, or perhaps let them know where they can connect with you?
ST: Remember, the process is an ongoing journey of evolution. Rarely will the answers appear familiar. Don't cling too tightly to the familiar; doing so hinders change—the very change we so desperately seek. Embrace the challenges.
You can find me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tk.shawntaylor/ or on Facebook as fuzionfit.