Cydney Gillon
Cydney Gillon’s athletic journey began at a very young age, influenced by her parents, both bodybuilders. Her childhood was filled with track and field competitions, which she continued throughout school and college. This early exposure to sports instilled discipline, resilience, and a competitive mindset.
After college, Cydney committed to bodybuilding full-time. Initially, she didn’t have much knowledge about nutrition and sometimes ate fast food with friends. But her growing passion for fitness pushed her to learn, experiment, and optimize her training and diet. She discovered figure competitions and dedicated herself to rigorous training and disciplined nutrition, achieving her first major success at the 2012 NPC Nationals Figure Class, where she earned her Pro Card.
Professional Career & Achievements
Cydney’s professional career has been marked by consistent top-10 placements in competitions. Her persistence, strategic training, and focus on proper nutrition propelled her to multiple titles, including back-to-back Figure Olympia victories in 2017 and 2018. Beyond competitions, she is known for her television appearances, including Survivor: Kaoh Rong, where she finished in 4th place, and her growing online presence as a fitness personality.
Training Philosophy
Cydney’s training mindset emphasizes patience, self-awareness, and consistency. She trains at least three times a week, focusing on all major muscle groups:
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Chest and back
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Delts (front, middle, rear)
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Legs
Her off-season workouts last around 2 hours, while pre-contest workouts are shorter but more intense to prevent muscle loss due to limited calories. Cydney prioritizes proper form over heavy weights, knowing what works best for her body.
“Be patient. Give yourself time to grow, rest and recover. Recognize that we are all different and reverse-diet/competition plans look different for each person. Focus on your plan and making yourself the best you.”
Her favorite leg workout includes overhead squats, power cleans, barbell squats, and barbell step-ups.
“Go hard or go home. You either get it done or leave. Even when you’re number one, someone is training harder, so you need to give 150%.”
Nutrition Philosophy
Cydney’s diet adapts to her goals but follows key principles: eating every 2-3 hours, drinking at least a gallon of water daily, keeping protein high, carbs moderate, fats low, and including vegetables in every meal. Her typical meal plan includes lean proteins, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and protein shakes throughout the day.
Influences and Mindset
Cydney draws inspiration from her mother, a two-time breast cancer survivor, who continues to lead an active and disciplined lifestyle. Cydney also credits her parents for instilling the values of hard work, fitness, and determination. Her journey shows how a strong mindset, discipline, and perseverance can transform early potential into a successful career.
What We Can Learn
Cydney Gillon exemplifies how dedication, focus, and consistency can turn goals into reality. Starting competitive training at age 14, she developed a winner’s mindset that has motivated countless fans. Her story demonstrates that with patience, determination, and smart work, one can achieve lasting success in fitness and beyond.
“Find the method that works for you. Nutrition is key, test new methods and foods, and find the sweet spot you can maintain.”