Charles "RocSolid" Dixon is one of the guys that makes me like this sport. He is a guy like the rest of us but he strives hard and show us all what someone really can do.

That is Charles Dixon. One of the nicest guys you could possibly meet with a great attitude. He may have missed out on his pro card this time but he is in every sense a pro. "RokSolid" is indeed a rock standing at 5 ft 4 in and weighing in as a light heavy at 198 lbs. At 34, this was his 8th competition. From Greer, South Carolina, you can find him at Peak's Fitness and he is both a personal trainer and sports trainer.

Dixon started out training in high school and college when he was playing football. He even played in the Canadian Football League. In college he got his AA degree in Public Relations and studied business which has helped him in the business of training. Along the way he worked in sales and also just warehouse work until he found his true calling. To quote him as to what he likes about being a trainer; "Changing people's bodies, helping them, making them feel good about themselves and healthy".

"RokSolid" started lifting seriously when he found a Gold's Gym. At first he thought bodybuilding was "gross". But as he learned about diet, supplements and lifting he says he "caught the bodybuilding bug". Then 7 months later at the age of 30, he did his first competition. He placed 4th, not too bad, but this guy hates to lose. So he set out to learn how to really pose and to get bigger and better. Dixon went on to do the Jr USA, the Nationals and the USA. He says doing a national level show was a real eye opener for him.
I had to ask him about how he felt about coming in to this Nationals and then placing second. Charles said that he knew he was coming in looking the best he has ever looked. And he was sure he was going to win. So I had to ask what he felt like when he was announced as second place. Looking back at it, it probably seems funny but at first he says that maybe they called the wrong number. Then he kind of went blank, a little shock, but then he caught himself and did the right thing and went back to his pose and smile.

Looking back on it he knows it was the right thing to do.
So what is in the plans for "RokSolid"? He is going to do the Nationals again next year in Dallas. And he says one of the things he likes about competing is that he gets to travel and meet people. I can relate to that myself. And he is going to modify his training to bring up his leg and back detail and build; "Stay off the heavy weights, do two weeks light, two weeks moderate, two weeks heavier and keep rotating".

As far as diet goes Charles says he eats pretty clean all the time with a cheat Saturday and Sunday. But cheating for this guy is just a trip to Subway. And he gets his supplements from Bodybuilding.com. That is good because he uses a lot of different things and the savings with Bodybuilding.com would be substantial. His list includes Whey Protein, Aminos, Arginine, Creatine, Glutamine, a Multi Vitamin, B-12 & B-6, Potassium, and Vitamin C.