Latisha Wilder got her inspiration to become an International Federation of Body Building athlete while attending the Arnold Sports Festival in 1999. Ten years later, she is one of Ohio’s top figure competitors and a regular in the Figure International competition at the festival.

Wilder, 34, has competed at the Arnold five times and in the Ms. Figure Olympia contest four times since turning professional in 2003.

“I got married on Christmas Day in 1998, moved to Columbus a few days later and then attended the Arnold Classic in 1999,” Wilder said. “I paid special attention to the fitness athletes that year and told my husband I thought I could that. That fall I did my first show and I’ve been doing it ever since.”

Even with her accomplishments at the Arnold, Wilder is also known in the Upper Arlington community as “Coach.” The Dublin resident has coached track at Hastings Middle School for 10 years. This spring she’ll move to UA High School, where she’ll work as an assistant coach.

“I am really excited to be moving to the high school and having the opportunity to work with the same group of kids for four years instead of two,” Wilder says. “I had been at the middle school for so long, so I already know many of the kids that I will coach. I am nervous and excited at the same time about the opportunity.”

At the high school, Wilder will work with the newly-named girls track coach Joel Cutler and focus on helping the team’s sprinters. It’s a natural fit for the former Tennessee high school star who first came to Ohio to run track at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She competed in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes and various relays for two years before transferring to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise physiology in 1998.

Shortly thereafter Wilder moved to Columbus. She has worked as a personal trainer since 1999, including the past four years at Metro Fitness Dublin. That job allows her to get in the workouts needed to remain in peak physical condition and compete in elite figure events.

Figure International is one of three women’s professional IFBB events held each year at the Arnold. Ms. International features the world’s best female bodybuilders, while Ms. Fitness features female athletes who are judged on their physique and an up-tempo, high-energy fitness routine. Ms. International competitors have similar body types to Ms. Fitness athletes, but are not required to perform routines.

Wilder has competed in about 25 professional events since she earned her pro card by finishing second at the 2003 NPC (National Physique Committee) Figure Nationals in Miami, Fla. She has finished second as a professional twice – at the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro in 2006 and the 2007 IFBB Palm Beach Pro in Palm Beach, Fla. – but counts a fourth place finish in the 2007 Ms. International as her career highlight.

“Just being invited to compete in the Arnold was huge. It is my favorite show since I live in Columbus, and my clients and close personal friends can come and see me compete since it is the only local pro show,” Wilder says. “And finishing fourth in 2007 was definitely a career highlight so far. That was just a great, great day and a great weekend.”

Brent LaLonde is a contributing writer for Upper Arlington Magazine. 


BONUS: The Arnold Sports Festival
The Arnold Sports Festival is the largest multi-sport festival in the nation, with more than 18,000 athletes competing in 44 sports and events, including 12 Olympic sports. New in 2010 are skateboarding, amateur strongman, figure skating, amateur mixed martial arts, an art competition and a sports photography seminar.

WHEN: March 4-7, 2010

WHERE: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Nationwide Arena, Veterans Memorial, Dispatch Ice Haus and Lifestyle Communities Pavilion.

MORE INFO: Daily tickets are $10 and include admission to nearly all sports and events. Some events are ticketed separately. Visit www.ticketmaster.com/arnold for details or visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.