Airman First Class (A1C) Williams Sullins, assigned to the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection at Minot Air Force Base, recently made headlines far beyond the flightline. On June 7, he competed in and won his division at the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders (OCB) Natural Competition held in Fargo, North Dakota.
The OCB is a national organization known for its strict standards on natural bodybuilding. During a press release, Natural Spartan Director of Finance Mike Allen emphasized the competition’s commitment to remaining steroid- and chemical-free. “The OCB prides itself in being a natural bodybuilding organization and providing an even play field for everyone”. A1C Sullins shared that every athlete is subject to drug testing and polygraphs to comply with competition regulations.
For A1C Sullins, this isn’t just about lifting weights, it’s a journey that began over a decade ago. “I think I first started getting into bodybuilding when I was around 15,” Sullins said. “We were stationed in Japan with my father who also served, and one of my buddies, who’s dad was a Marine, took me to the gym. That first workout just hooked me.”
Since then, bodybuilding has become more than a hobby. “It’s not just about going to the gym,” Sullins explained. “Your diet, sleep, discipline, every part of your life has to align. It builds you as a person. And when you finally compete, you’re showing the final package of everything you’ve worked for. That’s what makes it so gratifying.”
At the Fargo competition, Sullins competed in the Classic Physique category, an homage to the symmetry and proportion made famous by icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, one of his biggest inspirations. He entered both the Debut and Open classes, ultimately winning first place in Classic Physique in the Debut division and taking the Overall title in the Open category. His performance earned him his OCB pro card, officially qualifying him to compete at the professional level.
“That means I can now compete in pro shows,” he said. “My next competition is the Tampa Pro in November.”
Despite his military commitments, Sullins has managed to fund his competition training and travel out of pocket. When asked what advice he’d give to someone just starting their fitness journey or considering competing for the first time, Sullins kept it simple: “Start now. Be consistent. That’s the key in bodybuilding, just show up every day, keep your diet clean, get your sleep, and go from there.”
As Sullins continues balancing the demands of military service with the rigorous discipline of professional bodybuilding, one thing is clear, his journey is just getting started.
