*COVER STORY*
IPL FIGURE PRO, LATOYA HART
BEAUTY, BRAINS, BUSINESS
In the fiercely competitive realm of fitness, LaToya stands tall, recently clinching her IPL Pro Card in Figure Open. A self-proclaimed newcomer in the sport, she shares the exhilaration of this significant achievement, underscoring the hard work and dedication that fueled her journey. Balancing a thriving business, coaching Track and Field, and parenting, LaToya emphasizes “rejuvenation” over balance, revealing a disciplined approach built on consistency and adaptability.
,,
I STILL CONSIDER MYSELF A NEWBIE IN THE SPORT, SO THIS WAS A BIG WIN FOR ME.
GAINZ: CONGRATULATIONS ON EARNING YOUR IPL PRO CARD IN FIGURE OPEN! HOW DOES IT FEEL TO ACHIEVE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN YOUR COMPETITION CAREER?
LATOYA: Earning my IPL Pro Card in Figure Open feels great. I still consider myself a newbie in the sport, so this was a big win for me. This took a lot of hard work and dedication, but I know I still have more work to do. I look forward to the future within this organization.
GAINZ: YOUR PHYSIQUE EXUDES STRENGTH AND ATHLETICISM. HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE DEMANDS OF INTENSE PHYSICAL TRAINING WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSWOMAN?
LATOYA: “Balance”…. that’s a hard one. But if you think about balancing on a scale, it’s static. It doesn’t move to balance that object. So I don’t look at it as how do I balance, but how can I rejuvenate or get re-energized to do it all again day after day.
It’s a work in progress to navigate the intense training and professional life, not to mention home life. As they say, “life be lifing.” I’ve prepped for two different shows and they were both different. But I’ve found being consistent, organized, and focused with a plan helps.
Sundays were my get-it-together days. On Sundays, I would have to create my plan for the upcoming week, including meal prepping. Between running a business with three locations, kids in sports, and coaching Track and Field, it was imperative to get as detailed as possible. But things didn’t always go as planned, so I had to learn how to pivot and improvise quite often.
,,
…YOU HAVE TO CONCENTRATE ON YOUR GOALS AND STAY CONSISTENT...IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONTINUOUSLY GIVE YOURSELF GRACE IF YOU FALL.
GAINZ: TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO THIS PRO CARD. WERE THERE ANY PARTICULAR CHALLENGES OR BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT FROM YOUR FIRST CONTEST WITH THE IPL?
LATOYA: I’m still on a journey, even with this Pro Card. Competing with the IPL was my second competition in a sport I jumped head first into. I’m trying to learn everything I can and adjust to what works for me, especially as I navigate my demanding life schedule. Time has been my greatest challenge. There’s not enough time in the day most days, but you have to concentrate on your goals and stay consistent even when you don’t feel like it. It’s important to continuously give yourself grace if you fall.
GAINZ: MAINTAINING PEAK PHYSICAL CONDITION REQUIRES DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATION. CAN YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER?
LATOYA: Currently, my focus from my last competition has been on healing and allowing my health and muscles to recover before going back to the demands of heavy lifting. I’m currently doing lighter weight training and HIIT routines to maintain while I’m coaching Track and Field and taxiing my kids to all three sports they’re currently competing in. Though I’m not back to counting every macro, I at least make sure I get my protein in daily along with my supplements.
,,
HONESTLY, HEARING THOSE CRITICISMS DOESN'T BOTHER ME. USUALLY, THE CHIP ON MY SHOULDER COMES OUT AND I GO EVEN HARDER IN THE GYM...
GAINZ: MANY ADMIRE YOUR MUSCULAR AND FIT PHYSIQUE. HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED ANY STEREOTYPES OR CHALLENGES IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY REGARDING WOMEN WITH A STRONG, MUSCULAR APPEARANCE, AND HOW HAVE YOU NAVIGATED THEM?
LATOYA: I’ve encountered stereotypes mostly from men who don’t think women should be muscular. Honestly, hearing those criticisms doesn’t bother me. Usually, the chip on my shoulder comes out and I go even harder in the gym just to see their bruised ego when I’m lifting the same or outlifting the haters. [laughs] You have to be confident and know who you are to navigate the peanut gallery.
GAINZ: HOW DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION, BOTH IN YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY AND IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS?
LATOYA: Competing does bring out a different type of mental strain. My husband and kids really do inspire and motivate me every day. I want to show my kids the grit and determination we talk to them about daily and that if you put your mind to something you can conquer it. They are the ones who push me through uncomfortable things to get me closer to my results. My daughter especially would keep me accountable. Every time she sees a new food she would ask, “Mommy are you allowed to eat that?” They are my cheerleaders, they love me when I’m unlovable at times through the process and I’m forever grateful for them!
,,
ACHIEVING GOALS ENTAILS FAR MORE THAN JUST HARD WORK AND DEDICATION. IT ALSO TAKES CONSISTENCY, FAITH, PASSION, AND SUPPORT.
GAINZ: BEING SUCCESSFUL IN TWO DIFFERENT DOMAINS – FITNESS AND BUSINESS – MUST INVOLVE A UNIQUE MINDSET. HOW DO YOU APPROACH SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS IN THESE AREAS OF YOUR LIFE?
LATOYA: Achieving goals entails far more than just hard work and dedication. It also takes consistency, faith, passion, and support. A goal becomes very clear and precise once you have written it down. When you can see your written goals it reminds you to keep focused on your daily actions that will move you in the direction of your goals.
You know exactly what you are working towards and why you are working at all. You then make the decision every day, even every minute, for whether or not you’re going to work toward them or not. When you make progress on your big goal, other goals will move forward almost without you paying attention.
,,
GOD WILLING, I WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW OUR BUSINESS AND FOOTPRINT TO BE ABLE TO POUR BACK INTO OUR TEAM AND COMMUNITY ALL WHILE TRAINING TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF ME.
GAINZ: AS A ROLE MODEL FOR ASPIRING ATHLETES AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE LOOKING TO EXCEL IN MULTIPLE FIELDS SIMULTANEOUSLY?
LATOYA: Don’t ever limit yourself and never apologize for wanting it all. You won’t know you can be an exception to a rule until you do something exceptional.
GAINZ: FINALLY, LOOKING FORWARD, WHAT ARE YOUR ASPIRATIONS AND GOALS, BOTH IN YOUR COMPETITION CAREER AND IN YOUR BUSINESS PURSUITS?
LATOYA: I’m looking forward to continuing learning more and growing within business and fitness. God willing, I want to continue to grow our business and footprint to be able to pour back into our team and community all while training to be the best version of me. GAINZ
More LaToya Hart
Athlete Entrepreneur Magazine – IPL Pro Latoya Hart Is The Queen Of Smoothie King
“Being successful in our business allows us to give back to our people, family, and community. This is what inspires me to continue to grow our empire.”
Natural GAINZ Magazine Cover Story: IPL Figure Pro LaToya Hart – Beauty, Brains, Business
“…You have to concentrate on your goals and stay consistent…it’s important to continuously give yourself grace if you fall.”
New IPL Figure Pro LaToya Hart Lands Cover Of Natural GAINZ Magazine!
“If you would have asked me two years ago if I would be competing on stage, that answer would have been…’NO!’ I wanted to challenge myself, so I decided to do a competition. Never would I have thought I would earn an IPL Pro Card or that I would get the cover of Natural GAINZ Magazine.”
More From Natural GAINZ Winter 2023/2024 Issue
Natural GAINZ Magazine Cover Story: IPL Figure Pro LaToya Hart – Beauty, Brains, Business
“…You have to concentrate on your goals and stay consistent…it’s important to continuously give yourself grace if you fall.”
Natural GAINZ Magazine: 10 Best Carb Sources For Physique Athletes
Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in providing the energy needed to fuel intense workouts and support muscle growth. From complex to simple, these powerhouse carbohydrates are essential for optimizing performance and achieving those coveted GAINZ.
Natural GAINZ Magazine – How Much Sleep Does A Physique Athlete Need?
Sleep is not merely a restful state, but a critical factor that significantly influences an athlete’s success.
More From Natural GAINZ
Natural GAINZ Magazine – Kimberly Russaw: New IPL Figure Masters Pro!
“To be able to do something you would only do or think of when you are younger is a good achievement.”
New IPL Pro Samantha England Lands Cover of Natural GAINZ Magazine!
“Wow! I never thought when I signed up for the IPL Maryland show that I would earn my Pro Card or that I would get the cover of Natural GAINZ Magazine! Since competing in the IPL, I’ve had so many opportunities. So many doors have opened for me in the fitness world.”
Natural GAINZ Magazine – Eight Exercise Rules To Burn Fat Faster
…eight rules that you need to keep in mind if you’re serious about melting your fat away.