Dexter Jackson, also known as ‘The Blade’ is an American bodybuilder who has been able to set a record before his retirement. He is the first and only bodybuilder to win the overall Mr Olympia title and Masters Olympia competitions.
He also defeated Jay Cutler who was a two-time Mr Olympia winner in 2008 and he also secured the Arnold Classic title that same year.
There are so many things to know about Dexter Jackson, and in this article, you’ll find more information about his background, career, net worth and achievements.
Dexter Jackson: Early Life, Education, and Family
Dexter Jackson was born in Florida on November 25, 1969. Jackson is one of his six siblings. He was active in football during his high school days and he also used to run in the tracks. During his time as an athlete, he scored 4.20 in a forty-meter dash and that was a nationwide record at that time. He was a dancer, he was interested in gymnastics and he held a black belt in karate.
He couldn’t further his education in college because he has to take responsibility for his girlfriend’s pregnancy. He took up a job as a cook. But his impressive physique stood him out and he got introduced to bodybuilding by a friend.
Wife and Children
Dexter Jackson is currently married to Gale Elie. Their union is blessed with a daughter named Myah Jackson.
Dexter Jackson: Professional Career
At age 20, with little or no experience, Dexter entered his first bodybuilding show and aced it. At that point, he realised that he could be successful in the bodybuilding industry. But he knew he could only be the best with proper training and dieting. He then began his high-intensity training to become a pro one day.
Not quite long, he entered into the National Physics show, the 1992 NPC Southern States Championship and placed 3rd. After the competition, he took a 3-year hiatus during which he gave himself completely to training and dieting. 3 years later, he returned and competed in the 1995 NPC USA Championship Light -Heavyweight where he placed first.
Pro-Card
In 1998, Dexter came out the winner of the 1998 North American Championships in the Light -Heavyweight and general categories. Not long after, he earned his Pro card. With his Pro card, he could enter into more notable competitions.
In 1999, he competed and placed 7th in the Arnold Classic competition. That same year, he entered into other events. He competed in several other events but he didn’t seem to be winning any.
However, the year 2002 put an end to his bad luck. He started winning competitions, from the 2002 Grand Prix Australia to coming 3rd in the 2003 Mr Olympia.
Dexter continued to ace different events and score top positions till his retirement.
Although before his retirement, he had mentioned that he wasn’t retiring anytime soon. However, in 2020, Dexter retired from bodybuilding after placing second at Mr Olympia.
Dexter Jackson’s Net Worth
Dexter Jackson is among one of the wealthiest bodybuilders. His net worth is estimated to be around $3 million and this includes his money and properties.
He made most of his wealth from his career as a professional bodybuilder. He has been featured in numerous bodybuilding magazines. Also, he appeared in the 2009 Dexter Jackson documentary: Unbreakable.
Among his properties, the most prominent ones are his yacht and his gym facility.
Contest History
- 1992 NPC Southern States, Lightweight, 3rd
- 1995 NPC USA Championships, Light-Heavyweight, 1st
- 1996 NPC Nationals, Light-Heavyweight, 6th
- 1998 North American Championships, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st and Overall
- 1999 Arnold Classic, 7th
- 1999 Grand Prix England, 4th
- 1999 Night of Champions, 3rd
- 1999 Mr Olympia, 9th
- 1999 World Pro Championships, 4th
- 2000 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2000 Grand Prix Hungary, 2nd
- 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2000 Night of Champions, 8th
- 2000 Mr Olympia, 9th
- 2000 Toronto Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2001 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2001 Grand Prix Australia, 3rd
- 2001 Grand Prix England, 4th
- 2001 Grand Prix Hungary, 3rd
- 2001 Night of Champions, 2nd
- 2001 Mr Olympia, 8th
- 2001 Toronto Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2002 Arnold Classic, 3rd
- 2002 Grand Prix Australia, 2nd
- 2002 Grand Prix Austria, 2nd
- 2002 Grand Prix England, 1st
- 2002 Grand Prix Holland, 3rd
- 2002 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2002 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 6th
- 2003 Arnold Classic, 4th
- 2003 Maximum Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2003 Mr Olympia, 3rd
- 2003 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2003 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 1st
- 2004 Arnold Classic, 3rd
- 2004 Grand Prix Australia, 1st
- 2004 Ironman Pro Invitational, 1st
- 2004 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2004 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st
- 2005 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2005 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2006 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2006 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2007 Arnold Classic, 2nd
- 2007 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 1st
- 2007 Mr Olympia, 3rd
- 2008 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix VIII, 1st
- 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Prix, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Russian Grand Prix, 1st
- 2008 Mr Olympia, 1st
- 2009 Mr Olympia, 3rd
- 2010 Arnold Classic, 4th
- 2010 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 2nd
- 2010 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2011 Flex Pro, 2nd
- 2011 Mr Olympia, 6th
- 2011 FIBO Pro, 1st
- 2011 Pro Masters World Champion, 1st
- 2012 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2012 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2012 IFBB Masters Olympia, 1st
- 2013 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2013 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 1st
- 2013 Mr Olympia, 5th
- 2013 EVLS Prague Pro, 2nd
- 2013 Tijuana Pro, 1st
- 2014 Mr Olympia, 5th
- 2014 Arnold Classic Europe, 3rd
- 2014 Dubai Pro, 1st
- 2014 Prague Pro, 2nd
- 2015 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2015 Arnold Classic Australia, 1st
- 2015 Arnold Classic Europe, 1st
- 2015 Mr Olympia, 2nd
- 2015 Prague Pro, 1st
- 2016 New York Pro, 1st
- 2016 Arnold Classic South Africa, 1st
- 2016 Mr Olympia, 3rd
- 2016 Arnold Classic Europe, 1st
- 2016 Prague Pro, 3rd
- 2016 Mr Olympia Europe, 1st
- 2017 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2017 Prague Pro, 3rd
- 2018 Arnold Classic, 2nd
- 2018 IFBB Arnold Classic Australia, 3rd
- 2018 Mr Olympia, 7th
- 2019 Tampa Pro, 1st
- 2019 Mr Olympia, 4th
- 2020 Arnold Classic, 2nd
Dexter Jackson’s workout routine
Here is what Dexter Jackson’s workout routine looks like. And note that he does high-intensity training.
Monday – Chest & Biceps
On Mondays, Dexter focuses his workout on his upper body muscles; he works out on his upper body by doing some bench press challenges.
- 2-4 warm-up sets
- Incline press (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Incline flyes (3 sets, 8 reps)
- Bench press (3 sets, 8 reps)
- Dumbbell flys (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Preacher curls (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Seated overhead curl (3 sets, 8 reps)
- Pec deck flyes (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Seated machine overhead presses (3 sets, 8 reps)
Tuesday – Quads & Calves
On Tuesdays, his workout focuses on another muscle group which is his lower body. He does:
- 2-4 warm-up sets
- Leg extensions (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Leg press (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Front squats (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Lunges with dumbbells (3 sets, 12 reps)
- Standing calf raises (3 sets, 15 reps)
- Seated calf raises (3 sets, 15 reps)
- Single leg presses (3 sets, 12 reps)
Wednesday – Rest
On Wednesdays, Dexter Jackson takes a rest as his body needs to rest from the intense workout of his upper and lower body.
Thursday – Shoulders, Triceps & Calves
On Thursdays, he resumes his training and he focuses on his shoulders, triceps and calves.
- 2-4 warm-up sets
- Seated dumbbell press (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Seated lateral raises (3 sts, 10 reps)
- Rear lateral raises (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Tricep pushdowns (3 sets, 15 reps)
- Skullcrushers (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Dips (3 sets, 15 reps)
- Leg extensions (3 sets, 12 reps)
- Standing calf raises (3 sets, 12 reps)
- Seated calf raises (3 sets, 12 reps)
Friday – Back & Hamstrings
On Fridays, Dexter Jackson engages in high-intensity back work.
- Lat pulldowns (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Deadlifts (3 sets, 8 reps)
- T-bar rows (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Lying leg curls (3 sets, 10 reps)
- Kneeling single-leg curls (3 sets, 10 reps)
Dexter doesn’t focus mainly on his trap muscles because they often get too big and they affect his overall appearance.
Saturday & Sunday – Rest
Dexter Jackson doesn’t do any workouts during the weekends. Instead, he uses that time to rest his body and recuperate from all the high-intensity training.
Dexter Jackson’s Diet
Dexter Jackson follows a strict diet whether he’s in season or not. His diet consists of lean protein, veggies, clean fats and healthy carbs. He also takes some snacks and drinks during his workout sessions. Dexter Jackson, just like other bodybuilders eats a lot and he consumes about 3,500 calories every day.
1. Breakfast
Grits
Protein shake
2. Lunch
Miso soup
12 shrimp
6 ounces of lobster
1 cup white rice
Veggies including mushrooms, onions, zucchini
3. Dinner
10 ounces ground steak or chicken breast
Mashed potatoes with mushrooms
4. Post-Dinner Meal
8 egg whites, 2 egg yolks
Turkey bacon
5. Late-Night Snack
6 Popsicles
20 almonds
Supplements
Dexter Jackson also takes some supplements that enhance his performance and increase his muscle growth. They include:
- DHEA
- Protein Powder
- Glutamine
- DMAA
