Bodybuilder Shanique Grant is embarking on a new venture after enjoying life away from the stage for the past four years. On January 7, 2025, Grant shared that she was stepping out of retirement and plans to make her Wellness debut in 2025.
Shanique Grant quickly made her name in the IFBB Pro League, courtesy of sharp conditioning, impressive muscle volume, and a tiny waist. These attributes helped her reach the top of the sport. In 2018, she registered her most successful season in bodybuilding, having claimed gold at the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia contests. Unlike many Olympia titleholders, she was not a one-hit wonder.
She continued to improve her physique and won a second consecutive Women’s Physique Olympia title in 2019, defeating frontrunners Natalia Abraham Coelho and the current reigning four-time Women’s Physique Olympia Sarah Villegas. While she attempted to clinch a third gold trophy at the Olympia in 2020, she was denied and took second place behind Villegas.
After the defeat, Grant figured her time was up in the category and retired from the sport. At the time, she emphasized, ‘Competing at my level, it takes everything out of you.’ Yet, years later, she still feels the itch to compete against the world’s greatest bodybuilders—this time in a brand-new division she’s never experienced.
2x Women’s Physique Olympia Shanique Grant Comes Out of Retirement, Eyes Wellness Division Debut in 2025
In a recent Instagram post, Shanique Grant set the online world ablaze with her recent announcement.
Find her post below:
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
“Wellness Debut 2025 🥹😭🦋 ” Shanique Grant wrote.
With experience competing in the Figure category as well, Grant’s versatility instantly makes her a dangerous contender. However, the competition is fierce, especially when taking the results of the 2024 Wellness Olympia into account. The dominant three-time Wellness Olympia Francielle Mattos was recently dethroned by surging star Isabelle Nunes.
It won’t just be those two heavy hitters Grant will need to concern herself with. The Wellness category continues to add depth to its roster, with names such as Eduarda Bezerra, Elisa Alcantara, Gisele Machado, Lisa Meiswinkel, Rayane Fogal, and Kassandra Gillis, who all are eager to cement themselves as the newly minted Olympia winner when the blockbuster show returns in 2025.
As one of the youngest and most accomplished champions to emerge from the Women’s Physique category, it’s hard not to expect big things from Grant in the future. We will keep you up to date if she decides to announce her first event in the Wellness division.
RELATED: Sarah Villegas Offers $20,000 Challenge For Shanique Grant To Make A Comeback