Latisha Wilder

Latisha Wilder is an Arnold Sports Festival success story. She attended one year, became inspired, and is now one of the best professional “figure” athletes in the United States.

Wilder, of Dublin, Ohio competes as a Columbus, Ohio hometown favorite in the Figure International at the Arnold Sports Festival.

“I’ve competed in Olympia four times and the Arnold five times and both are really special and privilege to compete in,” said Wilder, a personal trainer and track coach at Hasting Middle School in Upper Arlington. “The Olympia you have to qualify for and the Arnold Classic you have to be invited to compete.

“Being invited is really special because you know that the promoters really value what you stand for and what you bring to the stage as a competitor. It makes you feel good about the hard work that you put in and it makes you feel very special.”

Wilder, who earned her pro card in 2003 and she sees a long future in the sport.

“Competing is one of those things that I really enjoy and I have not put a time on when on I want to retire,” she said. “As long as my body will cooperate and I feel good about it I will continue to compete. When I wake up and it is not fun, then I will stop.”