US Army Central Soldier wins body building competition

Photo By Staff Sgt. Victor Everhart | Maj. James Taylor, U.S. Army Central information operations exercise planner, poses during the National Physique Committee National All Military Forces Championships in Wilmington, N.C., June 11, 2016. Taylor, has been body building competitively over the last decade and has numerous honorable mentions and awards but this was his first overall win. (Courtesy Photo)  

SUMTER, SC, UNITED STATES

08.10.2016

Story by Sgt. Victor Everhart 

U.S. Army Central   

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE. S.C. – Physical training is a cornerstone to the foundation of the United States Army, but like any organization you have those who exceed expectations.
Maj. James Taylor, U.S. Army Central information operations exercise planner, is one such individual. He was crowned the National All Military Forces Open Heavyweight Division Champion and said, “The Army pays us to work out, so I gave them their monies worth.”
Taylor’s physical goals evolved into a lifestyle. Regular visits to the gym turned into a passion.
“The hard work, drive and dedication required to do well and win a body building competition is strenuous and it takes a toll,” said Taylor. “The Army taught me how to work through adversity and how to be positive in the hard times. When I wouldn’t see the results I was expecting I would know that everything would come together because of the time and work I put into it.”
The National Physique Committee National All Military Forces Championships was held in Wilmington, North Carolina, June 10-11 for NPC members on active duty or with prior military service. With six different weight classes and 18 different competitions, there were many different ways for military members to compete. Taylor competed in the men’s bodybuilding heavyweight division with competitors weighing between 198 to 225 pounds.
Taylor wasn’t alone in his endeavor. He had the help of prior body building champion Lt. Col. Anthony Quinn, U.S. Army Central exercise planner.
“What I was able to help him with was posing and nutrition,” said Quinn. “I just wanted to be supportive and give whatever advice I could to help him succeed and achieve his goals.”
“(Lt. Col.) Quinn was a huge help in me winning,” said Taylor. “He showed me how much water to consume, and how to get my body into show shape. The work was done but there’s a few little things you can do to set yourself apart, being able to position your muscles to put the muscle groups in the best position to be displayed is huge and (Lt. Col.) Quinn was pivotal in my success.”
Hard work and dedication coupled with the Army value of teamwork helped Taylor achieve a goal that most people will never enjoy.
“This being my first overall show win was awesome,” said Taylor. “I’ve won honorable for best display of muscle groups and placed well over the last decade but this win definitely was my best.”
“I was proud of James,” said Quinn. “Before the competition I told him he had already won, the judges just didn’t know it yet. He called me after his win and I simply told him, ‘I told you.’ I was probably more excited for him than he was. It reminded me of my days as a body builder.”
Taylor plans to continue participating in bodybuilding competitions. He is currently preparing for an event in May 2017.
In the Army people work out every day, but finding a body building champion in your formation is very rare and only speaks to the talent that can be found within the U.S. Army Central formation.

• Date Taken: 08.10.2016
• Date Posted: 08.12.2016 12:38
• Story ID: 206927
• Location: SUMTER, SC, US
• Hometown: KNOXVILLE, TN, US
• Hometown: LAWTON, OK, US
• Hometown: SUMTER, SC, US