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This month, we feature Shawn Fleming—a multi-award-winning bodybuilder in Saipan’s 2024 and 2025 Dee Clayton Classic & Northern Marianas Bodybuilding Federation competition, and in Guam’s 2025 WNBF Guam Classic Muscle Showdown.
Fleming was the overall champion in both bodybuilding and classic physique in the 2025 Saipan event, while he was the overall bodybuilding champion in the 2024 event.
His most recent conquest was on July 26 in Guam when he went up against more competition than he’s ever experienced in Saipan. His commanding stage presence and years of sculpting his body into a work of art brought him home six titles. He claimed the overall title in Bodybuilding and Classic Physique, then racked up first place finishes in the Bodybuilding Open, Bodybuilding Open Short Category, Classic Physique Open, Bodybuilding First Time, and Bodybuilding Best Poser.
Fleming has been training with Latte Built for roughly a decade dating back to its original location at the CDA Building. But it wasn’t until 2022 that he finally stepped on stage. The adrenaline and the self improvement sparked something in him. He was hooked. By 2024, he came back stronger—bigger, better, sharper. And this time, he didn’t just compete—he won.
From that moment on, the rest was history.
From grinding it out in the gym to stepping under the blinding lights of the stage, Shawn Fleming carved out a physique that started with nothing more than a love for working out. What began as just wanting to stay in shape turned into a full-blown stage-worthy transformation. His success comes from a deep dedication to the grind, a constant pursuit of perfection, and a passion that turned into purpose.
On how he got started with bodybuilding, the 33-year-old Koblerville Elementary School librarian said, “With bodybuilding, to be honest, it was never even really in the front of my head. I always just really loved to go to the gym, to go out, getting stronger, and staying in shape.”
But the iron doesn’t lie and his almost daily grind at the gym got his friend—and even Derek Cutting, the gym’s owner to ask if he was competing in any bodybuilding event. Fleming always said no, until the idea started to linger. Eventually, he reached out to Lorenzo Sanchez—a seasoned bodybuilder and personal trainer at the gym for some tips—and that decision would flip the switch.
From there, Fleming never looked back. His victory in Guam made all the sacrifice, time, and effort he poured into the gym and his physique feel truly worth it. To top it off, winning on Guam soil—as an athlete from the CNMI facing tougher competition—made him proud to represent his island.
As to why he continues his bodybuilding journey, Fleming said, “I guess I got addicted to the self improvement aspect of it. I love seeing how far I can push myself with the diet and the strength and even just the physical appearance. It kept me more motivated to come back and do it again and see what I could do better.”
Also, the gym’s 24-hour availability was an important factor in meeting his goals and sticking to bodybuilding. “I could work out at a place that’s safe. I had a lot of the equipment that’s available to me that I really needed, and I just love the vibe of the staff and other gym members as well,” he said.
As for his inspiration? It’s Batman. “I always like how he’s this character that’s a human being—no super powers or anything, but that’s disciplined and how much he pushes himself to the peak of human perfection pretty much. I’ve always admired that. I love that as an inspiration so I kind of apply that as well to keep that discipline and consistency in working out.”
By Leigh Gases
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