EASTERN ILLINOIS SIGEP RAISES MONEY THROUGH COMPETITION

Mike Leon, Eastern Illinois ’10, was already the epitome of SigEp’s commitment to maintaining a Sound Body, so he decided to focus on his philanthropic efforts before his third year entering the school’s annual bodybuilding competition.

The two-time defending champion in the bantam weight division entered the spring 2010 competition with a plan to sculpt his body, and to raise money for a local charity. When he got on stage to flex in front of the hundreds of spectators last year, a healthy number of them were wearing his t-shirts, with the slogan, “Flexing for a CAUSE.”

In addition to the long hours he spent in the gym, he also spent time hawking his t-shirts around campus to various Greek chapters and other organizations. He sold t-shirts and sponsorships, and donated $600 to the Children's Advocacy Center in Charleston, Illinois.

It’s no surprise that Leon was willing to give up his time for the sake of charity—he’s used to sacrificing his free time. Over the past year, he has had to balance a hectic schedule that includes classes, a hardcore workout routine and responsibilities as his chapter’s vice president of communications.

For the third consecutive year, Leon took home a trophy as the bantam division (155 lbs.) champion, and came in second place in the event overall. His experiences as such a busy undergraduate have provided him with many valuable life lessons. “It teaches me to balance my time,” he said. “Whether I’m going to a recruitment event, chapter meeting or going to the gym, it’s taught me time management the hard way. But I’m so much better at organizing things and making sure I don’t miss anything.”

Leon might be the closest thing that SigEp has to a real life Rocky Balboa. He has made an effort to add more rest into his routine, but he still wakes up at 6 a.m. multiple times a week to head to the gym. These workouts are supplemental to the ones he has later in the day. His breakfast on most mornings consists of four or five raw eggs, which he drinks down because he claims he, “doesn’t have enough time to cook them.”

To Leon, maintaining a healthy lifestyle during college is more mental than physical. “It comes down to how badly you want to be in shape,” he said. “That’s what it takes— just wanting to do it. You casually incorporate it into your life, gradually go more and more, and then it’s not as hard as you think.”

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