Roddrick Winnick, a Meridian native, speaks to children at the Velma Young Center Tuesday sharing tips to dieting and making good choices.

Roddrick Winnick has adopted an appropriate nickname for himself: Rodd the Bodd.

When you see Winnick’s physique, the nickname makes sense.

A 2007 Meridian High School graduate and former track and field athlete, Winnick was in Indiana a year ago working out at a gym when the owner piqued his interest in bodybuilding. A year later, Winnick has built up his muscles and has competed in three different bodybuilding events, winning fourth-, third- and first-place prizes. Tuesday evening, Winnick took the time to share some of his wisdom about eating right and making good choices with children at the Velma Young Center. 

“I’ve always been about the community,” Winnick said. “My mom always told me to find someone to bless every day, because your situation could be a lot worse, and you might need a blessing.”

Children, in particular, are the ones into which Winnick said he most wants to pour his time and energy.

“When I was younger, one of the things I loved about my coaches, my ministers, my dad and my uncles, they were always involved in my life,” Winnick said. “I wanted to do the same in my community. Kids need something positive to do, and (bodybuilding) is not just a sport, it’s a great lifestyle.”

After training his body in preparation for his first event, Winnick came away with a fourth-place finish in a Chicago competition. He recalled having people asking how many years he had been training, and when he told them it was his first competition, they didn’t believe him.

“Afterward, the first-place guy pulled me aside and said he wanted to tell me what I was doing wrong, but if he did, I probably would have beaten him,” Winnick recalled with a chuckle. 

The man explained that while his physique was on point, Winnick’s poses needed some work, and he encouraged Winnick to watch the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “Pumping Iron” for some tips. That, and the thrill of his first competition, got Winnick hooked on the sport.

“After that, I decided to move back home and be here with both my family and my spiritual family,” Winnick said. “It’s good to be around good Christian people to help inspire your goals in your life.”

Winnick can be followed on Instagram at Rodd_Winn and on his Facebook page called “Rodd the Bodd.” He has two shows coming up, one on July 6 in Chicago and another a week later in the Madison-Jackson area. Though he plans to keep competing, he said bodybuilding is an expensive sport, and he could use whatever help is offered.

“I’m always looking for sponsors,” Winnick said.