 Shields was a four-year varsity wrestler and state qualifier at Calaveras High School, finished 2nd place at the Amateur Athletic Union National Freestyle Championships, qualified for U.S.A./ FILA Nationals & World Team Trials in both the junior & university men's divisions.He is also a two-time junior college All-American wrestler from Cuesta College, placing 4th in the California JC state tournament in the 177 lb weight class in 1997 and 3rd in the 197 lb weight class a year later.In September 1999, Shields began his MMA training by joining Chuck Liddell's SLO Kickboxing Academy.