MASTER SERGEANT ROB WILKINS Compiled by: Tony Blinn, General Secretary, Rob Wilkins is the Executive Assistant to the President of the IFBB Professional League. In this highly visible role, Rob plays a key part in supporting Ben Weider and other leading officials to communicate, organize and promote the interests of the Pro League worldwide. He also contributes articles to www.IFBBPRO.com, FLEX magazine and the international editions of Weider publications. In addition to being a Pro League official, Rob has served in the United States Air Force for 23 years and is a Master Sergeant stationed at The Pentagon, Washington, DC. He also works as liaison between the Pro League and the U.S. Armed Forces. Since 2001, Joe and Ben Weider and AMI have donated over 4,000 Olympia Weekend tickets to military personnel. Born on February 12, 1964, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Linden, New Jersey, Rob was extremely active in sports, especially basketball, and his desire to excel led him to discover the world of bodybuilding. “In the sixth grade, I remember reading a feature on tough guys of the NBA and two of my favorite players of that time, Maurice Lucas and Kermit Washington discussed how lifting weights greatly improved their game,” said Rob. “I thought if lifting weights is good enough for them, then it’s good enough for me and I too began lifting weights.” “In the mid-70’s, most coaches discouraged weight training as they felt it would limit flexibility and impair athletic performance,” Rob said. “However, I immediately felt the benefits of weight training and asked my parents to buy a weight set for me which they did. Each month, I would save my money so I could buy the latest edition of Joe Weider’s Muscle Builder/Power magazine and be mesmerized at the inspiring photos and read the training articles of the pros,” commented Rob. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, New Jersey, Rob joined the United States Air Force. For members of the U.S. Armed Forces, physical fitness is a vital component of combat readiness and is essential to the well-being of personnel. Rob continued to educate himself and others on the benefits of weight training and how it contributed to one’s overall quality of life.
While attending the 1993 Arnold Classic, Rob was inspired by a training seminar given by Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Arnold mentioned how the numbers of obese children in the United States was increasing at an alarming rate and he challenged everyone attending the seminar to take the information we learned and go back to our local community and promote physical activity," said Rob. "I took Arnold’s advice and decided to get involved.” As fitness became a more important element of his own life, he began sharing it with others. For example, he led the Armed Services Stay in School Team (ASSIST) at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Florida. “I knew that bodybuilding helped me develop a positive attitude, increased my self-confidence and instilled a greater degree of discipline in me so I knew others would feel the same way. With this in mind, I began visiting many schools educating students on the benefits of a bodybuilding lifestyle and hoped that they would listen to my message and apply it to their own lives.” Soon, Rob became a fixture at bodybuilding competitions. Rob often brought groups of “at-risk” children with him to help them understand a healthy lifestyle. Rob’s introduction to the IFBB came in 1993 when he met long-time IFBB official Winston Roberts. “On several occasions, Winston noticed me escorting groups of youngsters around various bodybuilding competitions and looking to lend his support, he put me in touch with Ben Weider,” Rob said. Weider quickly recognized Rob’s passion for the youth. “I met Rob at a contest,” said Ben Weider, IFBB Founder and Honorary Life President and President of the Pro League. “He asked how he could get involved with the IFBB and if we would donate tickets to underprivileged children. It impressed me that he wasn’t looking for any personal gain. A lot of people want something for themselves. But anyone who is willing to help others, especially children, is the type of person I’m glad to support.”
For the next few months, the two corresponded and exchanged ideas. Ben Weider eventually appointed Rob an official member of the IFBB and agreed to support his charity efforts related to bodybuilding. In 1994, Ben wrote a letter to Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer on Rob’s behalf asking that he be allowed to bring a group of “at-risk” children to the Arnold Classic - free of charge. Thanks to Ben’s assistance and the generosity of Schwarzenegger and Lorimer, for five years Rob was able to positively affect nearly 100 children who attended the classic as Arnold’s special guests. Rob’s influence and contribution to bodybuilding and fitness is clearly reflected in his association with Victor Konovalov, a three-time national champion of wheelchair bodybuilders. For years, Konovalov sought professional status for bodybuilders who were wheelchair bound, but it wasn’t until he met Wilkins that things changed. “Rob was instrumental in helping wheelchair athletes achieve professional status,” Konovalov said. “He knew of our desire to get national recognition and was very helpful in making that happen. He’s always been there for us and I appreciate everything he’s done. Bodybuilding is a tough sport, and more so when you’re in a wheelchair. Rob has been a great friend and supporter,” he said. In 2000, Rob was the proud recipient of the IFBB Gold Medal, presented to him by Ben Weider, for his outstanding service, dedication to bodybuilding and fitness, and work with “at-risk” children. The IFBB Gold Medal is awarded annually to a select number of IFBB officials who make significant contributions to the sport of bodybuilding and fitness. Rob became the first military member ever presented with the federation’s second highest award. “Receiving this award was a tremendous honor but without the support of others, I could never have done it,” Rob said. On June 7, 2004, Rob was appointed to the IFBB Professional League Management Team as Athlete Liaison for the Americas. Rob also serves as the IFBB Representative to American Media Inc (AMI). Perhaps the greatest tribute paid to Rob is the trust he has earned from Ben Weider. Rob is one of only a handful of individuals worldwide authorized to act on Ben Weider’s behalf. Whether it’s accepting or presenting an award, or making a public comment, he’s been entrusted to the highest degree. “He has so much integrity that I trust him completely. What he does represents me,” said Ben Weider. “I am extremely fortunate to have the direct support, guidance and friendship of Ben Weider for so many years,” said Rob. Rob lives in Arlington, Virginia and is married to former IFBB Pro Fitness/Figure competitor, Amy Yanagisawa-Wilkins. They have a nine-month old son, Robert.
Some interesting facts few people know about Rob … Worked as a background actor in the following movies: Space Cowboys, Earth to the Moon, Armageddon, Contact and appeared on the television show, The Cape. He has also written chapters for two books, Get Buffed IV and Lifestyles Changes.
Some quotes about Rob from friends and colleagues … Rob Wilkins happens to be one of the most detailed, dedicated and professional people that I have ever met. The IFBB Pro League relies on him for many projects, and he never disappoints us. - Ben Weider, President. IFBB Professional League Rob is one of the most reliable, dependable, and honest people I ever met. He is very smart and observant. In addition to all these fine qualities he is a very warm and friendly person. He’s simply a pleasure to be with. No wonder he has had such a successful career in the airforce and has been a stand out his whole life in everything he does. People take note of Rob because he truly is a special person. - Eric Weider, President, Weider Health & Fitness When it comes to integrity and leadership in the bodybuilding community, Rob sets the standard. His work with the Military and his efforts to grow the sport on a global scale are extraordinary. Rob deserves a lot of credit for helping to ensure the legacy of both Joe and Ben Weider. - Dan Solomon, Creator of Bodybuilding Talk Radio Rob is constantly working behind the scenes to promote and grow the IFBB. There couldn’t be a better representative for our sport. He cares deeply about the organization and all of the people that are part of it. He represents all of the best of the IFBB… integrity, honesty, creativity, hard work, and more. I believe that a lot of the recent success of the IFBB organization can be attributed to his efforts! Bodybuilding.com is proud to be able to work together with him. - Ryan DeLuca, CEO, Bodybuilding.com [Editor's note 1: Rob would like to publicly thank and recognize the entire bodybuilding community for the support they have provided to him over the past 13 years. Thanks to the generous donations from people such as the Weider family, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, AMI, Jim Manion and the NPC, and Bodybuilding.com to name a few, Rob has been able to provide supplements, work-out gear, photographs, magazines and thousands of free tickets to military people world-wide who truly appreciate these acts of kindness, especially those serving in dangerous locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan.] [Editor’s note 2: Rob has been decorated 15 times by the United States Air Force. Many of these decorations are awarded to members "who distinquish themselves by outstanding achievement or meritorious service."
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