When I started in this sport, I had no roadmap, no blueprint, and barely anyone who looked like me at the top. But today, we’re changing that narrative. In this episode of Cyclence Unlocked, my cohost and coach Damian Segovia and I sit down with two absolute legends; 2x time Miss Olympia Latorya Watts and the iconic Teresa Anthony.
We’re diving deep into the history of the Figure division, from its roots in 2003 to the evolution we see today. This conversation is raw, real, and full of history that every competitor, every fan should know. We talk about the battles, the breakthroughs, and the undeniable impact of black women in this sport. If you’ve ever doubted yourself or wondered if the system was stacked against you, this one’s for you.
We’re here. We’re undeniable. And we’re just getting started.
Key moments of this interview:
2:16 Teresa Anthony’s Journey & Breaking Barriers
5:05 Facing Bias in the Early Years of Figure
7:17 Latorya Watts’ Entry into the Sport & First Impressions
12:24 Latorya’s Olympia Victory in 2015
18:17 The Impact of Latorya’s Win on the Division
26:28 The First All-Black Top 3 at the Arnold Classic
30:51 The Evolution of the Ideal Figure Physique
39:17 Challenges of Breaking into Mainstream Categories
46:07 The Future of the Sport & New Divisions
52:11 Message to Athletes
Social Media & Contact Information:
Cyd Gillon IG: @vytamin_c
Cyd Gillon YouTube: @CYDGillon
Damian Segovia IG: @the_pro_ducer
Guest info:
Teresa “Nikki” Anthony
IG - https://www.instagram.com/teresananthony/?hl=en
Latorya Watts
IG - https://www.instagram.com/latoryawatts/?hl=en