MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- As a staff noncommissioned officer for the Service Record Book Maintenance Section of the Division Personnel Administrative Center, Master Sgt. William P. Wooten already has a full plate. Even with this task, the 42-year-old Carthage, N.C. native has also been competing in amateur body building contests, and juggling all this with a family.
Wooten started training to be a body builder towards the end of 1999. He started going to shows in 2001 and participated in his first competition while stationed in Korea.
Wooten follows a strict workout routine during the competition season. He wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to go the gym at 5 a.m. During these early morning sessions he runs and works on his small muscle groups. He goes to the gym a second time at 11 a.m. during which he works on his large muscle groups.
His diet consists of things low in fat such as tuna, turkey, chicken eggs, potatoes and lots of water.
“During the off season I eat what I want,” Wooten explains. “I really don’t eat a lot of fried food or pork. I eat a lot of foods high in protein.”
This diet and exercise routine is crucial to Wooten in order to maintain his appearance, as it will reflect directly on him during the competition.
The competitions begin on Saturdays with the prejudging contest. It begins with competitors doing eight mandatory poses as a group, where they are judged on body symmetry. Afterwards each competitor is given 60 seconds with no music to complete a pose routine.
In the evening show competitors are given 90 seconds with music to complete a pose routine in front of an audience. After this is the trophy presentation to the winners.
Wooten has competed in about 20 shows since he began four years ago, although he has done more shows this year than in the past. Wooten competed three times in August, placing 2nd and 3rd in the first two events. The last competition on Aug. 20 found the body builder placing first to become the North Carolina State Lightweight Champion.
“I have to give credit to my family,” Wooten explained. “Both sides of my family are naturally muscular and though I work hard, it came easy to me.”
While attending Union Pines High School in 1981 Wooten played football, basketball, ran track and trained with the weightlifting team.
Though he began competing against soldiers in Korea, Wooten enjoys being aboard Camp Lejeune and gains a lot of support from the DPAC Marines.
“My office works hard so I have time to go compete,” Wooten said. “Our officer in charge (CWO4 Reginald Howell) encourages me as well.”
After 23 years in the Corps Wooten is planning for his future.
“I want to do physical therapy,” Wooten said. “I also want to be a personal trainer. I think they make a difference in helping athletes and injured people.”
Wooten has no goals to compete professionally as a body builder but does want to compete on the national level someday.