Shaun "Dinosaur" Davis

1987
Mr. United Kingdom tall winner
1988
Mr. United Kingdom overall
1989
Mr. Europe winner tall NABBA Mr. Europe winner tall WABBA
1990
Mr Universe - NABBA, Tall, 1st

1996
Universe - Pro - NABBA, Winner

Mr. Britain winner 1996 E.F.B.B. : I.F.BB Pro card

STARTED TRAINING:
I started training in 1985. I went 3 times a week. I started in my friends house in the garage, we stuck at that for 3 months then realised we had to move to a gym. We ended up at a local leisure centre, after 6 months there we then went to our first ever real gym where I felt very intimidated by all the big physiques.

REASON FOR STARTING TRAINING:
When I was 13 years old I was given the chance to become a professional footballer. I was scouted by Notts County Football Club, the oldest league football club in the world and at that time they were playing in first division which is now the premiership. I was released after 3 years due to a double broken leg. I Started weight training to rehabilitate myself and enjoyed it, but I never really to it until a friend of mine asked me at the age of 19 if I wanted to train with him seriously in his garage at his home, but one of the reasons was because my friend look big and I wanted to be the same.

EFFECTS TRAINING HAS HAD ON YOUR LIFE:
I have become a stronger and positive person. I have been very lucky to have travelled all over the world and experience lots of different cultures. I have done things some people only dream of and I am very grateful.

GYMS TRAINED AT:
My own gym Clarence Court, which I have since sold. Ilkeston Gym and Intrim, Long Eaton.

ENTERED FIRST COMPETITION:
My first competition i entered was Junior Mr. East Midlands also known as the Mr. Plessey. I did not know how to diet properly, the day before I carbed up on rice from my local Chinese, and bought my tan from Boots chemist. I came in 4th but I enjoyed every minute of it.

HIGHLIGHT OF CAREER TO DATE:
I think every little bit as its own special moment. But one high light was when i made British Bodybuilding history winning the NABBA Pro-Mr. Universe, the E.F.BB British Championships and getting my Pro card all in the same week. Also meeting my beautiful wife Sara in Canada, I was there promoting Prolab.

DISAPPOINTMENTS/SET-BACKS:
The biggest set back was being told that I could not compete any more by my consultant, I then had to have counselling because it was hard to accept having been bodybuilding for 18 years and it was also my source of income, I did not know what world and entertaining lots of people in lots of different countries the next minute its the future had to hold and I have a family to support. One minute your on top of the all over, you cant entertain again. Another set back was my 3 tricep operation 2 of which I had 12 weeks and 4 weeks before The Night of the Champions, I went back in the gym the next day after the operations and even competed with it not fully healed. I also had a knee operation which went wrong, it got infected so I was on crutches for 6 weeks.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT COMPETITIONS/COMPETING?
I enjoy seeing the end result. I also enjoyed the fact that I was appreciated by most people where ever I went, they would ask for a photo or an autograph and even give you small gifts of appreciation, these are the people that keep you going when some days are low they keep you focused and hungry. I remember coming out of the show Night of the Champions and I took my top off for a massive group of fans so they could take a photo, within a minute the whole street had come to a stand still people were getting out their cars to have a look. Things like that make it all a lot easier. I enjoy visiting different countries and experiencing different cultures, eating different foods after the show, but most of all making friends.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT COMPETITIONS/COMPETING?
There are a few things I dislike. The first week of the diet is hard when I have to drop my calories by 66%, eating around 1200 calories a day then bringing it down to 4000 calories a day. The water depletion process is also hard has I like a drink at all times of the day. The tanning is also a pain, especially if you are like me all in 1 day every 3 hours I have a coat. The waiting, when I wake up on the morning of a show I just want to go to work.

ROLE MODELS/INSPIRATION:
Well obviously Dorian Yates and Ronnie Coleman but others were Mike Mentzer, Mike Christian, Mike Quinn, Lou "the Hulk" Ferrigno, Aaron Baker, Shawn Ray, Charles Clairmont and not forgetting Arnold Schwarzenneggar. These all had colossal physiques, big massive bodybuilders.

PHYSIQUES YOU ADMIRE:
I admire all physiques, I think that any one that can go through a long diet, sacrifice all the nice things in life and then exhibit it in front of hundreds and thousands of people need to be admired, whether amateur or professional. I know how much hard work it takes to go through it all. But there are those physiques I have admired, competed with and even beaten. Lee priest was my training partner and very good friend when I was in California, what a great physique he as. All the names above in role models I had great admiration for as well as Nasser el Sonbaty, Sonny Scmidt, Chris Cormier, Jay Cutler, Gustavo Badell (my last photo shoot was with him at Worlds Gym in New York), Flex Wheeler and
Vince Taylor.

YOUR BEST BODYPART:
My best body parts were shoulders and back, but especially my triceps and biceps which measured 24 inches all the way round. My arms just seemed to get bigger and bigger, many people used to ask how I got them that big especially Nasser el Sonbaty.

YOUR WORST BODYPART:
I always said that my legs lacked the size of my upper body. I all ways had hard, ripped and full legs but they were not big enough. I tried so hard to bring them up to size with 800lb squats and 2100 lb leg press but they never grew has fast as everything else. What made it even worse was that I had very good calves as well.

FAVORITE EXERCISES:
I liked training arms the most then chest, back and shoulders. I liked the very heavy workouts, pushing and pulling weights that mesmerize others. I had a sense of enjoyment when I was in the gym and basically training like a man possessed, I went to the extreme with my training and experienced unbelievable workouts. I was quoted many times that I was completely crazy when I trained and in one high profile magazine it was said I was the "British Bulldog" therefore getting the nickname "Dinosaur Bulldog Davis". You could say that I really enjoyed pain, when I was in pain then a big smile would come across my face, it was a great feeling.

LEAST-FAVORITE EXERCISES:
This one must be cardio and abdominals. Another exercise is I hated were legs, I hated thinking about doing them but once I got into a heavy workout and the pain kicked in then I would enjoy training them.

TRAITS YOU ADMIRE IN OTHERS:
I admire people that work very hard and have a desire to succeed. I also admire others that are not selfish outside of their dream, they think of those around them and I have a lot of admiration for people that are polite and well mannered and not obnoxious and big headed. There is a time and place to be a show off and that on stage.

TRAITS YOU ADMIRE IN YOURSELF:
I will all ways give anyone the time of the day. I will work for 9 hours a day at any show or exhibition to give every one a chance to meet me and speak to me. I will help any one with their problems towards dieting and training. This is one of the reasons I have been given a position with Prolab as it was once quoted that I was one of the hardest working bodybuilders on the circuit. I have all ways wanted people who have met me to go away with a good impression and I feel I have achieved that. But one thing that really stands out is that I don't think of myself of being better than anyone else, my feet are attached to the ground as I never have forgot my roots.

HOBBIES:
Eating out with my family, spending quality time with my family which has a professional bodybuilder is hard when you are on the road much of the time. Also watching 2 x times European Champions Nottingham Forest Football Club, and following the England Football team.

FAVORITE WAY TO RELAX:
Spending a lot of quality time with my wife and daughter. We like to go out to eat and we try and get away when ever possible. I also go and watch my favourite football teams Nottingham Forest Football Club and our National football team England. I always have a pint with my mates once a week, but most of my time revolves around my family.

FAVORITE T.V. PROGRAMME:
I like Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Heartbeat and East Enders they are my favourite soaps. Has for comedy I like Little Britain, Sponge Bob Square Pants (my daughter got me into that) and Only Fools and Horses. I also like to watch documentaries about the First and Second World Wars, Heroes and special people. Sport is a big part of my life so I really enjoy watching Football, Boxing and Horse Racing, not interested in most other sports especially those who get a lot of exposure but have never experienced pain and hard work, like some of the athletes today.

FAVORITE FILM:
I like any films that are action packed, funny or based on a true story. I liked the Rocky films as they gave me inspiration, films of Arnold Schwarzenegger and some of the best films I have seen were Cinderella Man, Football Factory, The Krays and and Snatch.

DIET PLAN:
(off season) I eat anything and everything, as much food as I can possibly eat in one day. But I will always make sure I have had a huge intake of protein.
(on season) well that all changes to the above, I will eat every 3 hours and my food will consist of no fat, no sugar and no salt. Everything I eat will be grown out of the ground, off trees, out the sea or poultry, everything will be natural produce.

FAVORITE RECIPE:
Good English fry up or a nice Avocado and Prawns.

FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT:
We like to eat in the smaller more personal restaurants as we like that personal touch, not the fast food feel. Our favourite restaurant it Le Bistro Pierre, this is a restaurant in Nottingham and Derby, but Prolab always take me to Mortons which I really enjoy. My wife gets a special book where ever we travel that gives us the best restaurants in the area so we can choose before we decide what we want to eat.

HOW DO YOU TAY FOCUSED AND MOTIVATED:
I spend a lot of time on the road with seminars for Prolab, where I can meet people and get their reaction. I also stay away from my social life so for 3 months its just head down and work hard. I like it when a minority want you to fail, but in the end I shut them up good and proper.

HINTS/TIPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PASS ON:
Anyone can become what they want to be. All it takes is determination and dedication. When I started bodybuilding I was asked by my close friends "why are you bodybuilding?" I replied "I want to be Mr. Universe" they replied "Arnold Schwartzenegger was Mr. Universe, don`t be stupid" within 5 years I won my first Mr. Universe so. Also remember Rome was not built in a day, it will be along hard struggle but well worth it when you reach your goal. Listen to those who have good credentials in the sport and at any chance you get to speak to a professional ask them the questions that you feel you need answering, that's how I did it. Attend seminars, there you will also gain first hand information from those who know. And never forget you will never stop learning in this sport. My motto is "NEVER SAY DIE!"

ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ANYONE BEGINNING BODYBUILDING:
Don't go in the gym with all guns blazing, take your time. You can not expect to lift massive amounts of weights within in the first couple of weeks. Use a weight that is comfortable therefore giving you good technique, doing it like this will help you progress. Read lots of magazines and books, educate your self on food, nutrition and supplementation. And don't be silly in or out the gym has bodybuilding is a very serious sport, remember your body is your life.

WHO HAS HELPED/SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
Well there as been a number of people who have helped and supported me through my career. There was Jim and Carol Connors who took me under their wing in 1988, Jim taught me everything from nutrition, dieting and training, where as carol looked after me when I often stayed at their house in London. Alex McKenna, who gave me a lot of publicity in bodybuilding magazines. Paul Riches and Martin Lambert who gave me my first big sponsorship deal when they took me on at The Handmade Flapjack Company. My training partners they never let me down Dez Purdue, Steve Bowley and Kenny Clarke, they all pushed and made sure I gave 150%. Dave Dormar who made me realise I had a talent and encouraged me back into serious training again when I had tried to give up. Kerry Kayes for fighting my corner when I was banned by the E.F.B.B. in 1997 he helped me kick start my professional career, therefore I was allowed to compete with my ban lifted. Lee priest who worked with me at Prolab Nutrition and became a good friend. Ronnie Coleman and Nasser El Sombaty who shown me the ropes on my first I.F.B.B. Tour and looked after me, they treated me like a brother. Vince Taylor who when on the European Tour gave some very good advice that changed my life, I now have a beautiful daughter. All the guys at H.B.S Canada for taking me over to Canada and looking after so many times, that was where I met my beautiful wife Sara. Graham Hopkinson and Chris Deakin who`s gyms I trained at through my career, they both had the kind of gym that breeds champions. Kuldeep and Som Bhardwaj from K.A.M. servicing. The girls in the office and Dave Kosztan at Prolab Nutrition, they have all helped me settle in to my new job and make me feel very confident. Tom Roak and Jon Morin, they were the founder sand owners of Prolab Nutrition, they took me on as the face of Prolab and sent me all over the world promoting the company, they help me fulfil a dream.

The others that I can never thank enough are my good friend Mark Wilson who as been such a fantastic support, especially when I had my health problems, my close family and friends, my mother Brenda and father Ray for putting up with me, My grandmothers Margret and Edie very strong women and not forgetting my grandfather Clarence George Davis, who was my inspiration. Rid Alden who has been such a great friend and boss, as the managing director of Prolab Europe he as stood by me through everything, he never let me down.