'The Titan Games' Season 2: Meet Steven Shelby, the Central Region finalist who's 'built like a Mustang'
Steven Shelby, a Deputy Sheriff, is safe to say, built like a Mustang (Twitterati labeled him that the minute they saw him). Powerful and energetic, he put on a mesmerizing display of brute strength, raw power, and heart as he beat coach Blake Broadhurst in 'LaunchPad' and 'Over the Edge.' That said, it was sad that he couldn't leap over the threat called Joe Thomas when he faced off the NFL star who defended his Titan title twice in the season opener. But Shelby has another chance at making history when he competes in the Central Region finals this week.
Ahead of the finale, MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) caught up with Sheriff Shelby who spoke about being on the show, facing off against the reigning Titan, Joe Thomas, and sharing screen space with Dwayne Johnson.
Congratulations on making it to the Central Region Finals on 'The Titan Games'. What motivated you to join the show?
Titan games were honestly electrifying from Season 1. I personally sort of follow a lot of the contestants. Mr Matt Cable from last season and I really admired and loved the story. These are just people that try to overcome obstacles in their personal life that I could firstly connect to. It is hosted by The Rock, who's every kid's childhood hero, even as an adult, I mean, he's obviously a hero. So, to perform in front of him, I definitely would.
How did you prepare for the show?
I was in the military before and played a lot of sports prior. So as for physical ability and agility, a lot of it for me was muscle memory. Also, I'm a deputy sheriff as well, I do what we do at the police course and our police Academy at the Sheriff's office.
As far as physically being able to do it, I've been competing in national physique competitions for the last two years. And my trainer here in Columbus was getting me prepared for the Arnold Classic, which is the biggest competition in the Midwest for bodybuilders. So I had to change my complete workout regimen to gear it for this show.
When I got the acceptance letter in January to 'The Titan Games' and the Arnold classic is in March, we had to change everything and it was complete 180 in training, but it was amazing. My trainer was phenomenal. He got me physically up to speed and ready.
What were your thoughts while completing the courses?
Don't fail and keep moving. So you saw on Mount Olympus where I bumped my head and I'm not going to lie, I almost got knocked out.
Joe Thomas is an NFL all American winner. You know, he played for Wisconsin which is a massive school in the big 10. I have nothing but respect for him. I barely varsity-lettered in high school. Like in football, this guy is what every high school football player dreams of — To be in his shoes. So I knew if I could at least outspeed him as I tried to in the very beginning, I could at least get to the ball and chain fast enough, where I could at least use my speed over his power because the dude's power is immense.
And then obviously I'm going against Blake, a very well respected powerlifter. He lifted the most at the Combine. He was the strongest powerlifter we had there. So I knew what I was doing. When I was doing the tug of war, all I had to do was try and exhaust him because his strength was immensely over mine.
What's your favorite memory on the show so far?
Meeting The Rock. Hands down. When my kids go to Dick's Sporting Goods and they see Under Armour and The Rock's photo, they're like "Daddy look at your friend!"
This was after off-camera after I lost the Mount Olympus challenge. The Rock... he ran to the backstage, saw my family leaving and stopped them and said, "You guys need to be very proud of your dad," and my son, the look in his eyes... I want to try to do more after this show too. Put the same look in other kids' eyes as the Rock did for me, and for the look that he gave my son. Dwayne, the Rock Johnson is exactly the same off-camera as he is on camera.
There's a lot of things that weren't edited in which I understand for timing. We were back there talking, it's like 30- 40 minutes. And literally we spoke about our kids. We spoke about his father passing my father passing, and really understanding, trying to cherish and carry on your family's memory and legacy. So honestly that is the biggest thing I'm gonna take back — The camaraderie from my friends, and meeting the Rock.
Reactions on Twitter were all about how you looked so much like Dwayne Johnson...
I'm not going to lie to you, I actually want to get into action movies.
I want to be here stand-in or a double. When I saw him on Hercules and he posted his entire workout, it changed my entire life. I was always into cardio, but then I started eating like him, dieting like him. I wanted to be strong. Up to his size, because I could mirror somebody that I could see in Hollywood who was both my height and in size. There's a lot of action heroes who aren't that tall. So it's hard for a tall guy to try to mirror their workout.
I have immense respect for Arnold Schwarzenegger. I've met him before, but he's a little shorter than I am. So his muscles and his workouts are different than mine. So to hear that from the fans, I'm humbly grateful because it's literally a dream of mine.
'The Titan Games' airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET on NBC.
