Shawn Ray
Shawn Ray (born September 9, 1965 in Placentia, California, U.S.) is a former professional bodybuilder and author. Bodybuilding career. In a 2005 interview, Ray said, "the two influences that were the main reasons that I got into bodybuilding in the first place, was bodybuilders Chris Dickerson and Bob Paris." In a 1990 documentary, Ray cited François Benfatto as a major inspiration, along with Paris. In over 30 major bodybuilding competitions, Ray only failed once to place in the top five. Signing his first professional bodybuilding sponsor contract in 1988, Ray has been featured in six video documentaries; "Lifestyles  of the Fit & Famous" (Biopic), "Final Countdown" (Contest Prep for Olympia 1998), "Inside & Out"- Behind the Muscle, a look at his daily life on the Pro Circuit, "To The Extreme" (Training Video) "Best of Shawn Ray" (History of Shawn Ray). ""Fitness After 40"" which is a biographical and documentary instyle, showcases Ray's life after the competitive stage being married with his first child while getting back on the Horse and getting in shape. He is mentioned in "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding" by Bill Dobbins and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ray also wrote a book about how to become a  bodybuilder, named "The Shawn Ray Way". Ray has appeared on more Flexible Magazine covers than any bodybuilder in history and has also featured in many fitness and bodybuilding magazines worldwide. Ray was a co-host on "Flex Magazine Workout" on ESPN for 5 years as well as hosting bodybuilding competitions for ESPN as a commentator for 8 years. Ray was the "Co-Master of Ceremonies" for the 2006 and 2007 Mr. Olympia Competitions held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the creator of the only charity fundraiser for professional bodybuilding, Vyo Tech Nutritionals presents: "Shawn Ray's CHOC Hospital Golf  Invitational". Over the last ten years with the help of other pro fitness, figure and bodybuilding champions, as well as supplement companies and magazines, he has helped raise and donate over $55,000.00 to the Children's Hospital of Orange County by hosting this event annually at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, CA. Ray was the first professional bodybuilder to fail the drug testing at the Arnold Classic, which was when he first lost the title in 1990. He went on to win the title again in 1991. Ray retired from competitive bodybuilding in 2001 and is now  working with FasciaBlaster, Mr. Tortilla and Old School Bodybuilding Clothing. He placed in the top five at the Mr. Olympia competition for twelve consecutive years from 1990 to 2001, two of those being first runner-up finishes. He promoted the Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic Contest-Expo, held in Denver, Colorado in 2006 and 2007. Ray also produced a DVD titled 'Fitness after 40' in which he tries to get back into shape. He is now a Feature Writer for Digital Muscle Media and the Host of Mr. Olympia PPV. He is also made a video documentary called "Evolution  of Bodybuilding – The Movie" Ray is a prominent spokesman, master of ceremonies and expert commentator for IFBB Pro League & NPC shows, most notably the Mr. Olympia. He is currently the Editor in Chief of DigitalMuscle.com, he continues to promote Hawaii's largest contest, NPC Shawn Ray Hawaiian Classic in Honolulu which he added a Pro Classic Physique Division in 2021z Ray received the Ben Weider "Lifetime Achievement Award" in the summer of 2020 for his contributions to the sport and as an athlete on behalf of the Ben Weider family, promoter, Tim Gardner, Dan Solomon and Ron Wilkins. Personal life . Ray married in 2003 and his daughter, Asia Monet was born on August 10, 2005. In 2008, Ray and his wife Kristie welcomed their second daughter, Bella Blu. In 2016 Ray reunited with his eldest daughter, Kerri whom was conceived in high school. In retirement, Ray has stayed involved with bodybuilding through "muscle camps," seminars, grand openings, and as a master of ceremonies for contests. Ray has Promoted the New York Pro contest in New York City. He is a Global Ambassador for supplement giant, Mutant & Editor in Chief of Digital Muscle Media. Mr. Olympia contest history. Ray competed in  three different decades before retiring at age 36 in 2001. Although one of the most frequent competitors in the Mr. Olympia show, the winner's title eluded him for his entire career. Nevertheless, Ray was a Top 5 Mr. Olympia Finalist for 12 Consecutive Years, a feat no other bodybuilder has duplicated. In his whole career, Ray beat every competitor he met on stage at least once, with the exception of 8-Time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney and 6-Time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates. At 5'5", 210 lbs, Ray was called a "Giant Killer", having to give up at least  40 to 50 lbs and 4–5" to three of the sport's most prolific bodybuilders, including Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, and Ronnie Coleman. His Football Jersey, and the NUMBER "1" have been retired and never worn again by an El Dorado Hawk to date.