Shaun Joseph-Tavernier
Britain’s Answer to Phil Heath?

Interview with Giles Thomas

In the UK, it seems to be every ten years that we get a newcomer that explodes onto the contest scene in bodybuilding. From the very beginning they make their presence known and make a huge splash in the sport, with fans saying how this unique new physique will become the next British Champion and go onto to top pro status internationally. In the 1980’s we had Dorian Yates, in the 1990’s we had Ernie Taylor and now in the new millennium we have a bright new shining star, Shaun Tavernier.

It was only roughly 18 months ago that I’d ever even heard of this phenomenal newcomer to the physique circuit. It was in May of 2007 that London’s Shaun Tavernier first stepped on to the bodybuilding stage to do battle against other debutants to decide who was the best first timer in that region. That contest was the UKBFF South East, the regional qualifier for all the South East’s very best British Championship hopefuls, and fans simply gasped with amazement when Shaun walked on stage and turned to face the audience.
Of course, Shaun won and the interview forums and magazines were immediately all raving about this incredible new bodybuilder who already was looking like a cross between Olympia legend Shawn Ray and top UK pro JD Dowadu when both were in their prime. Almost like a UK equivalent to America’s Phil Heath, undefeatable it seemed.
Shaun then went on to dominate all at October 2007’s UKBFF British Championships and returned the next year at Nottingham’s UK finals in attempt to obliterate the competition yet again, only this time in the under 90kg light-heavyweight UKBFF British nationals, fighting off fierce opposition from other pre-contest favourite Barny Duplessis. The very next day I called Shaun and got him in quick sharp to get the low-down on this amazing new talent, and all for the best mag in the business, BodyFitness!

Giles: Shaun, hi, great to speak with you mate. Firstly, congratulations on your victory last week at the British, you must be over the moon?
Shaun: Thank you Giles, it was certainly a great win for me, and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in helping me achieve this goal.
Giles: So, that is three shows and three straight wins in your first year-and-a-half competing. That’s incredible, did you ever think that this would all happen so fast for you?
Shaun: Not in my wildest dreams did I foresee this coming. As I’ve said before, I never had any intention of ever competing, I just did not think I really had the right physique for it. Three shows and three wins is great, let’s just see if I can keep it up. I certainly intend on doing so anyway.
Giles: Right, we’ll talk about the British in a bit, but let’s go back to the start, which almost unbelievably is only 18 months ago more or less, isn’t it, at the UKBFF South East?
Shaun: Yeah that’s right, just about 18 months ago was that first daunting moment on stage.
Giles: You’d obviously been training for a good few years, Shaun, before you competed in 2007 finally. What made you decide after all that time building your physique to get on stage and compete? You must have been good enough for quite a few years, I mean your genetics are just so good, I’d imagine people pestered you to get your ass on stage for years, surely?
Shaun: I was a very keen youngster in my teens; I played a lot of rugby. I played for London Irish RFC, Richmond RFC, Middlesex, London and South East England. As rugby is a very physical sport, I had to make sure I was just as physically fit, so I spent time in the gym working out. I was always a naturally strong and fit person with a very muscular frame. Having stopped playing rugby due to injuries, I spent more time in the gym trying to strengthen the body parts where those injuries occurred.
I would say it was 2003 when I started to go to the gym regularly with my training partner Patrick. I spent two years training at a local gym with him before I decided to go to Genesis gym to gain more experience from guys who were bigger and better than me. Before that, though, a few guys such as Rai “Eltoro” Garcia and Dave “Bulldog” Beattie, British powerlifting champion and owner of Genesis gym, recognised my talents at an early stage and tried to get me down to Genesis ages before I decided to.
But one day I finally decided I needed to make the next step if I wanted to improve. Having joined Genesis in June of 2006, this was shortly before the British championships that year, I got to know a few of the guys that were getting ready for the British. I was in awe of the atmosphere and the pure adrenaline that was going around getting ready for this show. The 2006 British came and I went along with some of the guys to go and watch and it was absolutely fantastic. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the juniors and first timers, let alone the Mr classes.
In saying that though, that still wasn’t the reason that made me get on stage the following May of 2007. My character and determination and will to win was put into question by someone at the gym who knew nothing of me, but just knew me as this new big guy who was big, yes, but carrying a bit of fat. Anyway, to cut a long story short, he said that he didn’t think I could make if through the diet and that I would quit before I got on stage, so that was it for me, the challenge had been set. May 20, 2007 was the day I was going to shut this guy up, and the rest is history.
Giles: After your first win at the South East contest, many, including me on www.uk-muscle.com, were saying that, and with no disrespect to the other first timers, that a physique like yours was simply too good for that class, even at the UKBFF British where the standard was very high. Why did you not choose to try and re-qualify for the light-heavyweights and have a go at your weight class with a view to trying for your pro card or maybe even a shot at the NABBA Universe in class 4?
Shaun: Giles, only a few weeks before, I had no intentions of competing, let alone did it ever cross my mind I was even a fraction of the talent of the guys I saw on stage. As I said I quite simply did it to prove someone wrong about me. I did the first timers because that’s exactly what I was, a first timer. I wasn’t going to let all that hype get to me and jump into a weight class and get my ass whooped. As I said before, I just wanted to enjoy the experience.
Giles: At the British when you won the first timers, many in attendance said that they’d have liked to have seen how you’d have done going up against the under 90kg winner and runner-up, Flex Lewis and James Llewellin respectively. If you had gone up against them how do you think you would have done that day?
Shaun: Looking back, I think I would have probably have placed third, no disrespect to anyone intended. Flex was at the top of his game and very polished, and James is an awesome bodybuilder.
Giles: What did you weigh at all three of your shows (the 2007 UKBFF South East, the 2007 British and the 2008 UKBFF British)?
Shaun: London and South East 2007 I weighed 81kg. British finals 2007 I weighed in at 82kg and the British finals 2008, I weighed in at 81 kg.
Giles: So, what did you decide to do after the first British win last year (2007)?
Shaun: I was thrilled to get an invite to the Arnold Classic amateur, but I was unable to go due to personal problems. I just decided to try and be as consistent as possible with regards to my training and improve body parts that were lagging.
Giles: I’ve heard mixed reviews of your recent British win; overall they said you were more polished, more detailed. How did you feel about your win, did you think on the day after the judging that you were going to take it?
Shaun: To be totally honest Giles, I was not happy at all with the package I brought to the table this year. The Shaun that was there on stage was only 70% of the Shaun that was supposed to have been there, again no disrespect to anyone; this is just my own personal battle and issue with myself. It was a very tight class and could have gone either way. I did what I came to do which was to win my class and I am happy with that. If the overall came, then it did, but initially my sights were not set on the overall, not until I won my class.
Giles: Who did you see as your main competition?
Shaun: Everyone! Never discount anyone.
Giles: How did you feel going into overall? Confident?
Shaun: As confident as I could have been at that particular time.
Giles: What did you think about James Llewellin’s shocking new look? Were you impressed?
Shaun: James is the ultimate pro, enough said.
Giles: You said to me a few weeks before the show that you were disappointed that James had dropped to the under 80kg class. Was he one of your major motivators whilst getting ready for the British?
Shaun: Yes, because I had a conversation with James after the British last year and said to him that it was unfortunate that he didn’t get his pro card that day, but hopefully one of my ambitions would be to compete against James in the same class.
Giles: I hear you’ve been invited to the Arnold Classic again this year, are you going to do it, as last year I believe you were invited but chose not to do it? If that’s true why did you not want to do it last year?
Shaun: I didn’t choose not to, it was just that personal problems played a major part in my decision not to go. I am going to the Arnolds this year because I want to win it, with Shaun being 110% when I do go.
Giles: Do you think you can win the amateur under 90kg class at the Arnold and turn pro?
Shaun: Yes.
Giles: Is it the 202 class that appeals most when you turn professional in the IFBB? Notice I said when and not if, Shaun? (laughs).
Shaun: (laughs) That “202” is going to be a great class and is very appealing to a lot of guys who are not as blessed with height as they are with genetics.
Giles: Personally, I think that you are capable of winning the 202 Olympia within five years Shaun, what’s your take on this prediction?
Shaun: My predictions are to win it, I just don’t know when. (laughs).
Giles: What’s your main goal or goals in bodybuilding, as I feel that at 32, which you are now, you’re primed for a good ten to fifteen years if you stay as consistent and injury free?
Shaun: To be the best that I can be and to be a blessing to others around me.
Giles: So, what are your future plans aside from the Arnold?
Shaun: The British 2009 is going to be a war zone… I’m coming to retain my title, what else did you expect? (laughs).
Giles: Do you think you can beat Flex Lewis and James Llewellin one day?
Shaun: I can beat anyone in my class on my given day.
Giles: That was a diplomatic answer (laughs), you should be a politician, Shaun! What do you think of Flex Lewis, and who else aside from your self do you think has real pro potential?
Shaun: What else could be said about Flex? The guy is making history. James obviously has great pro potential. To be honest Giles, there are so many guys in the UK that have the potential, the question is though, do they have the desire?
Giles: Who are your favourite bodybuilders and why?
Shaun: Flex Wheeler’s physique is the best to ever touch this Earth, full stop. The like’s of Shaun Ray, Lee priest, Kevin Levrone, Phil Heath, JD Dowadu, Lee Labrada, Rich Gaspari. As you may have noticed Giles, most of the guys mentioned are similar in stature to me, so these are the guys I looked to for inspiration and that’s why they are some of my favourites.
Giles: What did you think of this year’s Olympia? Are you glad Dexter won? What about the newer guys like Dennis Wolf and Phil Heath, are you impressed?
Shaun: To be honest, I didn’t mind who won it this year (2008), just as long as it was not Jay Cutler, who is undoubtedly a great guy, but not the best bodybuilder on the planet. I prefer Phil’s physique to Dennis’s, it’s far more complete and nicer to look at. There are some many good guys, with so many qualities… My favourite pro’s right now? Has to be Flex Lewis and James Llewellin.
Giles: Very patriotic Shaun, I like it mate. So, who do you think will be the next Mr Olympia and when? And why?
Shaun: Next year I believe the Mr Olympia will change hands, no disrespect to the Blade, as he is one of my all-time favourites, but he will have an immense job on his hands to keep that title. I can see it going to Victor, Phil, or someone else… don’t know who exactly.
Giles: What would you say are your best physical attributes?
Shaun: I would say I’m well balanced all over, with decent mass and condition.
Giles: What do you think you need to do to improve? Is it size or overall balance and conditioning for you?
Shaun: I need to improve every single body part, add a bit more mass and make sure my condition is spot on every time.
Giles: Let’s talk about diet, what’s your eating like in the off-season? Do you follow a set diet like you do pre-contest?
Shaun: No, I like the finer things in life… ice cream, pancakes, fast food, West Indian food, Nando’s, you name it! (laughs). I do go through a stage where I eat clean for a few months though. This year will be different though, I will be on a diet all year round, just eating diet food in vast amounts until its time to cut it down for a show.
Giles: And pre-contest? What changes and principles do you follow when coming down for a competition?
Shaun: I usually cut out the cr*p 15 weeks before the show, so I’m eating quite clean three months out. Over the next few weeks I just gradually cut things out and up my cardio.
Giles: How about supplementation, what do you use and consider essential?
Shaun: Vitamin C, multi-minerals, glucosamine, aminos, calcium, Udo’s oils, so many to mention.
Giles: What kind of training split and style do you follow?
Shaun: Monday – legs, Tuesday – chest, Wednesday – back, Thursday – shoulders, Friday – arms. That’s how I currently train, but I’m revising it at the moment.
Giles: Where do you train at the moment and do you train alone?
Shaun: I train at Genesis Gym in Alperton near Wembley, West London and I currently train alone.
Giles: Who are your biggest supporters in your bodybuilding career?
Shaun: Wow, there are just so many to mention. Everybody who wants me to do well, I suppose really.
Giles: Was there anyone in particular that helped you prepare and encouraged you for your show, or do you go solo when prepping?
Shaun: Yes, Patrick Grant, Kimberley-Anne Jones, Laurence Mcfoy, “Ozzy”, Dave Beattie, Rai Garcia, the guys at Genesis gym, Nathan Selcon, and so many others who have all contributed to my success.
Giles: What do you do for a living Shaun?
Shaun: I’m a housing officer for a local authority.
Giles: Are you sponsored at the moment mate?
Shaun: No, unfortunately I’m not sponsored at the moment.
Giles: Do you have any other interests aside from bodybuilding?
Shaun: I do have so many other interests, but work takes up a lot of my time at the moment. I love music, I love reading, I love travelling and I love boxing and other sports such as athletics, football, tennis and rugby. I’m also a keen biker and I own a Suzuki 600, and I love any motor sports too.
Giles: I see you have a website. Have you any plans to expand it and will there be any Shaun Tavernier DVD’s on the horizon maybe? I think we’d all like to see that!
Shaun: Hopefully before the British 2009 the SJT DVD will be out. As we speak my website is under some serious reconstruction, so you’ll have to wait and see, but do keep a look out for it.
Giles: Okay Shaun, thank you mate for giving us your time to do this interview, good luck with all that you do and please keep me updated on your plans so I can let BodyFitness readers know what you’re up to in my UK Muscle News column.
Shaun: Thanking you kindly Giles, it’s been a pleasure.

To contact Shaun Tavernier you can email shauntavernier@hotmail.co.uk, or check out Shaun’s website at www.shaun-joseph-tavernier.com.

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