AT the age of 38, Roger Callender is the oldest of the athletes selected to represent Guyana at next month’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, which is scheduled for El Salvador, but that has not kept him from producing one of the most proportionate bodies around.

Callender’s dedication to his body has not gone unnoticed. His transformation is well known in the local bodybuilding circle and he was described as having a “beast of a body” by President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess, last week. The bodybuilding head also singled him out as a possible medal winner in the U-143 lbs. division.

To the Space Gym bodybuilder and trainer, his dedication is like art and it did not come without hard work or sacrifice.
“Working on my body is like working on a masterpiece….” Callender added that he studied his body for years and analysed how it reacted to varying types of nutrition and training methods.
“I continuously analyse just how everything works in the body, the different foods that would give you different results, what works and what does not work. It’s a trial and error but I always kept building my knowledge.”

In his early 20s, Callender was preparing two bodybuilders for a show and then decided to enter after they prompted him to. He finished third at that event. He said that being on stage grew his love for the sport even more.
Due to his strength, he decided to give powerlifting a try.

As a powerlifter, Callender was able to win both his weight class and the overall titles in the novice and intermediate championships in 2014.
Powerlifting gave him the strength and, coupled with his knowledge of science and biology, he was able to perfect the bodybuilding process when he switched back full time to the sport.
“I always loved bodybuilding and the discipline that comes with the sport. I have assisted and trained a few athletes in the past but it is now my time to shine.”

INSPIRATION
The personal trainer and massage therapist noted that he lives by his mantra of overall health and fitness.
“Health, fitness and a healthy way of life is my love and my passion.”
Individually, the “100% natural bodybuilder,” has credited his changes to science and his knowledge of the process. He is also encouraged by former two-time CAC gold medallist, Kerwin Clarke, who has been a trendsetter.

“The standards he [Clarke] has set in bodybuilding in Guyana has fuelled me to bring my best package to the stage.”
Callender is one of seven athletes selected for next month’s regional event.