On May 13, 2023, two-time and defending Olympia 212 champion Shaun Clarida was one of many featured visitor posers on the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, the present ran by IFBB Pro League and NPC President Jim Manion. Clarida was one in every of six males taking to the stage on this annual bodybuilding custom. The others had been former Mr. Olympia Big Ramy, Arnold Classic champions Samson Dauda and Nick Walker, 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford, and second-generation star Hunter Labrada. Clarida was happy with being one of many males who Manion personally requested to hitch him within the Steel City.
“To be asked by Jim himself was a big moment and definitely surreal,” Clarida says. “I had a lot of fun, and hopefully it won’t be my last one.”
Clarida has had a number of life-changing moments in his 4 a long time on this planet, together with just lately relocating from New Jersey to Texas. However, none of them had been as necessary as this previous January. That was the day that his daughter, Amiyah, was born, and he earned a brand new title that he’ll carry for the remainder of his life—father. Even with the same old pleasure that comes with a baby being born, Clarida mentioned that the largest shock is he has been even happier than he already anticipated being.
“It has been joyful. I get to wake up every morning and see this little human being laughing and smiling when she sees me and I’m holding her.”
Father’s Day takes on a New Meaning for Shaun Clarida
Amiyah’s arrival additionally means his first Father’s Day is developing, and though he didn’t give it a lot thought, he’s nonetheless proud that he has a much bigger motive to take pleasure in it this yr.
“It wasn’t something I thought about too much besides my own dad, but to be the dad in this case being celebrated, it’s awesome. I don’t know what we’re doing yet, that is up to (his girlfriend).”
The significance of fatherhood has clearly modified Shaun Clarida’s life for the higher, however he mentioned it hasn’t affected the bodybuilding side of his life a lot. This is due to his girlfriend, who has been capable of work at home and deal with plenty of the parenting duties so Clarida can proceed the enterprise and coaching of bodybuilding.
“I really haven’t felt overwhelmed at all, honestly,” he mentioned. He has given himself time away from the game, although, as a result of he needs to take pleasure in his new daughter as a lot as attainable.
“I obviously took a break after the Arnold because it was such a long season,” he shared. He additionally confessed that mama has modified many extra diapers between the 2 of them, however he has had his alternatives as effectively.
“I think I’ve changed one or two so far, maybe more,” he mentioned with fun. “Of course, I don’t mind changing diapers at all, though, but she’s around her more often during the day. I do get to put her to sleep when I get home, though.”
More championships and kids in Shaun Clarida’s Future?
When requested in the event that they plan on rising the household much more, the “Giant Killer” mentioned he would moderately be current within the second along with his daughter that’s right here with him now.
“I just want to take the time to celebrate her and have fun with her for right now. Time will tell, though.”
With the transfer, touring, settling into parenthood, and plenty of different enterprise ventures behind him, Clarida is now committing extra time within the fitness center, and he mentioned he’s the largest and strongest he’s ever been. He revealed on one Instagram publish that he weighed 215 kilos in early June. Amiyah could be credited for that partly as effectively. Many execs within the bodybuilding world have change into mother and father lately, and that feeling of pleasure and pleasure is anticipated. What Clarida didn’t anticipate is how a lot it has fired him as much as get even higher as a bodybuilder as a result of his efficiency as an athlete will now straight affect somebody past himself.
“That’s a whole other level of motivation for me. I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years now, and it’s been all about me, me, me. Now, everything going forward isn’t for me. It’s for her,” he defined. As is the case with most mother and father, Shaun Clarida needs to make sure that his daughter has the very best childhood attainable.
“Everything going forward is to make sure she has a great life, has everything she needs, and make sure that she and my girlfriend are taken care of. There were things I didn’t have growing up, and I want to make sure she has everything she needs and wants. She won’t ever need to struggle or worry.”
WIth that newfound motivation and success within the fitness center, he’s thought of the favourite to win his third Olympia title in Orlando, FL on Nov. 2-5. He’s feeling optimistic about his probabilities of becoming a member of Flex Lewis and Kevin English as three-time champions in his division. He revealed that he nearly didn’t do the 2022 Olympia as a result of the due date was so shut, and he wished to be there for his anticipating girlfriend, however she was the one who inspired him to compete.
“She said ‘hell, no’ you’re doing the show,” he recalled when suggesting he might not enter the competition. “This year will be different, though, because she will be there, and as I said, that motivation is going to be at its highest.”
Clarida mentioned that he feels nice as he begins to plan his prep and is anticipating a clean transition between now and prejudging on sport day.
“I’m excited to now just coast into the Olympia this year. I know I’ll be even better this year than I was last year, and I still plan to bring that razor sharp conditioning. Now, when I do that cardio and get ready for that next set, I’m not just thinking about winning. I’m thinking about my daughter as well, and I found a whole new gear.”
To see Shaun Clarida in addition to the remainder of the very best on the planet, go to www.mrolympia.com to get tickets or order the pay-per-view should you can’t be there stay.