Long before Magic Mike turned Channing Tatum into one of Hollywood’s biggest sex symbols, he was already showing off his confidence on stage.

The throwback photo dates back to 1998, when the future star competed in a bodybuilding contest at Tampa Catholic High School, rocking a tiny black posing suit that quickly grabbed attention.

Fans have watched Tatum portray high school students in films like She’s the Man and 21 Jump Street, but these rare photos offer a real glimpse at what he looked like during his actual high school years.

Speaking to GQ, Channing Tatum revealed that his training philosophy has never been about simply looking good. Instead, he focuses on becoming as athletic and physically capable as possible, saying he has always admired the strong, functional physiques of elite NFL and NBA athletes and aims to achieve that same level of performance.

His dedication to fitness became especially evident while preparing to portray Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz in the acclaimed 2014 film Foxcatcher. To convincingly embody the real-life athlete, Tatum underwent an intensive physical transformation tailored specifically to Schultz’s unique physique.

Schultz later shared that he worked closely with Tatum during the preparation process, showing him exercises designed to build a wider back while encouraging him to keep his lat muscles engaged throughout the day. The strategy paid off, with Schultz noting that Tatum’s dramatically broadened lats became one of the most authentic aspects of his on-screen transformation.