Former Mrs. Olympia Sheryl Grant talks about training to regain title at 60

Former Mrs. Olympic Sheryl Grant has an unforgettable presence. She has an infectious smile and a warm personality, and her abs are spectacular. It’s important to note that being in excellent shape at age 61 is not an anomaly. But what really sets Grant’s decision apart is that she chose to embark on a journey to compete to become Ms Olympia again in November.

Training at this level requires daily hours of hard work, a strict diet, and substantial personal sacrifice. If you scroll through her TikTok and check out one of her workouts, you’ll witness her dedication.

Although Grant has a busy schedule, she was generous enough to take time off from training to join a Zoom call with BET.com. During our conversation, she shared why she decided to take on this challenge and wants to reach 50 million women.

BET. with: What motivated your original journey to become Ms. Olympia?

Sheryl Grant: I worked in corporate America for over 30 years in a job that I wanted and manifested through prayer. However, I didn’t realize then that what I had prayed for would tear me apart. Because what most call a glass ceiling for black women is actually a brick ceiling.

It seemed like every time I took apart a brick, two more were put in its place. I was in this evolution of just trying to work and figure out what was wrong with me. I was in the top 1%. I was leading my sales. I was doing all the things I was told to do. ‘Put your head down and do the work; you will get there. I was not being elevated. I was being promoted.

I would be in places and spaces where people would say inappropriate things. I was in boardrooms where it was predominantly white men. We were not authorized. I was usually the only woman and definitely the only black woman. Then jokes were made that I had to swallow. I had to take one for the team. I started to get depressed.

However, I remembered that when I was 20, I had a roommate who was a bodybuilder and I thought, let me try that. And I went on a journey to become Mrs. Olympia. I didn’t know if I would win, but it was the goal.

BET.com: Why did you specifically choose the Miss Olympia competition?

Sheryl Grant: I didn’t choose this. Dona Olympia chose me. It’s a completely natural competition. I didn’t want to do any supplements. I didn’t want to take any steroids or anything like that. My first competition was in March 2017 and I ended up winning the championship and becoming Miss Olympia.

I didn’t know then that I could actually do it. Competition didn’t just transform my body. It transformed my mind. And I created something called FIT, which stands for faith, intuition and tenacity. I realized that when I was on this journey in corporate America, systemic systems were built against me, but I also built those same systems in my mind. I began to believe that I was not worthy or capable. I could not. Winning the Ms. Olympia at age 55 taught me that there is nothing impossible for me to do in my life. But I had to make the choice.

BET.com: What’s fit for life?

Sheryl Grant: I have a workbook called Fit for Life. I want people to understand that getting fit is more than a physical journey. It’s mental too. You won’t maintain the physical if you’re not mentally connected. I can give you my diet, I can give you my recipe, I can give you all of this, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you’re not going to do the work, and it’s work.

I’m not saying everyone has to become Mrs. Olympia [but change requires commitment]. I had to make a choice. I had to change who I hung out with. I love a good glass of wine. My favorite things are good tequila and champagne. I don’t shoot. I take a sip, but on this journey I can’t do those things. It’s not just about losing pounds. It’s about gaining muscle.

BET.com: You mentioned you want to reach 55 million women. Can you talk about that goal?

Sheryl Grant: My goal is to empower women around the world. I want them to understand that whatever you want to manifest in your life, you can achieve, but it takes some sacrifice. But if I can become Mrs. Olympia at 55 and try at 61, so can you.

I have a methodology. I want you to fit in your mind and body. I want you to live a prosperous life. And I’m building a network of professionals. I believe in the saying if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

You can follow her journey at sherylgrant.com and follow her IG: @sherylgrant or TikTok: sherylgrantdaily

This article has been edited and condensed for clarity.