Bio: My name is Jared Thompson, but most people call me Jrod. I was born and raised in NorthEast Mississippi. So small town is built into my DNA. I value a sense of humor and positive attitude. Growing up, I was heavy into Martial Arts which taught me discipline and a mind/body connection. This set the groundwork to help me make the most out of my fitness goals. As you probably know, in the South, football is king. So, all through elementary and high school, I got muddy in shoulder pads, a jock, and very snug football pants. In my sophomore year, the weights grabbed my attention, and I started competing in powerlifting. I got strong fast, and my senior year I placed 2nd state-wide in my weight class. Because of my genetics, muscle building came easy for me. At 19, I shifted from powerlifting to bodybuilding and started competing. At 21, I earned my IFBB pro card in the Men's Physique division. In 2016, I placed 5th at the Chicago Pro, and I'm looking for an Olympia qualification during 2017. I’m grounded in the aesthetic approach to bodybuilding with the emphasis on symmetry and definition. If you’ve seen my stage routine, you can tell I can move – ‘cuz I got rhythm! I had my first experience with fitness modeling at the age of 19 with photographer, Golden Czermack. Since then, I've been on several romance novel covers and featured in a few magazines. I’ve also traveled across the US and internationally for shoots. In the process, I've made some great friends among other models and photographers. I’m currently represented by CR2 Talent. It’s been a fun ride so far – stay tuned to see where the next chapter takes me.