Rhoden took seven years off from not only competing, but training and eating healthy, as well. His dad passed away and he had to take over the family business, making his schedule a very busy one. He had already been competing as an amateur at this point and when I used to ghostwrite his column in FLEX, I recall him saying that "Twinkies became his best friend" during those days and he was fat. The guy deserves credit just for getting his ass back to the gym and in shape, let alone earning a pro card and now the Olympia champion.
