Twanisha “TeeTee” Terry is an American sprinter specializing in the 100 meters distance. She represented the United States at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships, earning a silver medal in the women’s 100 m. In 2019 she won the 60 m at the NCAA Division I Indoor Championships and anchored the winning 4 × 100 m relay team at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships.
As a 19-year old Terry ran 100 m in 10.99 s at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 21, 2018. This time made her the joint fourth fastest under-20 woman in history. Her personal best is 10.89 s, set at the 2021 NCAA Division I West Preliminary in College Station, Texas on 29 May 2021.
Medal record: Women’s track and field representing the United States
Pan American Games
Bronze medal third place 2019 Lima 4×100 m relay
World U20 Championships
Silver medal second place 2018 Tampere 100 m
NACAC U23 Championships
Silver medal second place Querétaro, Mexico 100 m
Gold Medal First place Querétaro, Mexico 4×100 m relay
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Twanisha Terry, the World U20 Championships Silver medalist in 100 meters here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her beauty secrets and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Miami, Florida, United States. You must have been into athletics early in your life. As a 19-year old, you ran 100 m in 10.99 s at the Mt. SAC Relays on April 21, 2018. This time made you the joint fourth-fastest under-20 woman in history. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as an athlete competing in sprinting events. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptionally hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Twanisha Terry:
I started athletics at the age of 9 and I am now 22, which is 12 years in counting. I experienced and learned a lot during my journey from competing on different levels. I wasn’t always the top runner when I started, especially running at the bottom of the age group. I knew I had to continue to work hard in order to achieve what I did this past season that happens to be one of my best so far.
I have to express that although my hard work and tenacity played a role in my success, it would have been impossible without the help of others. Everyone that played a role contributed something beneficial whether it was my athletic trainer keeping me healthy, a nutritionist informing me of what my body was lacking, and the list goes on.
Namita Nayyar:
You have represented the United States at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships, earning a silver medal in the women’s 100 m. Tell us how you were drawn to this sport of athletics competing in sprinting events and your meteoric rise in the 100m events?
Twanisha Terry:
I introduced myself to the sport in 2009 when I noticed a team practicing while walking home from school with my friends and siblings. I told them we could go try out to keep ourselves busy; however I fell in love with the sport when I made it to my first Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina. The 4×100 meter relay I was a part of broke the age group national record, which stood for two years. After that year, I decided to continue with the sport and competed on all levels: recreational, middle school, high school, collegiately, and now professionally.
In regards to my rise in the 100m, I knew at a young age I did not like the 400 meter or anything further. My coaches noticed I was pretty fast in the shorter events so my main events were the 100, 200, and 4×100. I wasn’t always fast in the 100m; I improved over the years and continue to improve. P.S. the 100 is my favorite event.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Your personal best of 10.89 s, set at the 2021 NCAA Division I West Preliminary in College Station, Texas on 29 May 2021 in 100m? Tell us more about this exceptional achievement of yours?
Twanisha Terry:
As I look back at this day, I remember running the first round of the 100m and cruising a 10.99, which set the facility and meet record. When I noticed my time, I knew I was ready to run fast in the next round, however, the men competed in the semi-finals the next day and the weather was terrible for them. I realized the weather was likely going to be the same for the women. I remember telling myself “I knew I should’ve ran through the line” because I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to run faster in the next round due to the rain. However, the next day came and the weather was perfect. I ran in the last heat but the heat prior, I recall the announcer saying Kemba Nelson broke the meet record with a time of 10.98.
I remember zoning out the announcer and getting in the blocks with the mindset of executing my own race. Once the gun went off, I popped the blocks and by 30 meters I separated from the field. I didn’t see any other runners in my peripheral area but I made sure to run through the line. I was shocked to hear that I ran 10.89, which broke the facility record, meet record, my prior school record, and at the time was the #1 time in the NCAA. This achievement set the tone for my performance at the meet.
Namita Nayyar:
You won a Bronze medal in the 2019 Pan American Games at Lima in 4×100 m relays, Silver in the 2018 World U20 Championships in 100 m at Tampere, Finland, Silver in 100m, and Gold in 4×100 m relay at 2019 NACAC U23 Championships at Querétaro, Mexico, Gold in U.S. U20 Championships in100 m at Bloomington, Indiana, Gold in 4×100 m relay in 2021 NCAA Division at Eugene, Oregon. What is your opinion should be the traits in an athlete to be consistently successful as a world-class sprinter?
Twanisha Terry:
- Coachable
- Hard worker
- Discipline
- Motivation
- Goal Setter
- A Student of their sport (mainly their event)
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Twanisha Terry:
There are so many different workouts that are a part of my fitness regime. My fitness regime changes depending on where I’m at during the season. For instance, in the fall I do a lot of plyometric and heavier Olympic lifting. During the spring, I do more sprinting and lighten up my Olympic lifting.
My favorite Olympic lifts are ½ back squats and trap bar deadlift, whereas power cleans are my least favorite.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Twanisha Terry:
I do abs every night. At one point, I started at 500 abs and increased 200 every day. I can’t remember what number I reached, but I know for a fact I did 2,200 abs one night.
One secret? Genetics and weights.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Twanisha Terry:
Yes, especially during the season. I put my body on a schedule to eat at least 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and snacks. When making my meals, I make sure I consume the right amount of protein along with a vegetable(s) and a carb. Also, I make sure to eat within a certain time frame after practice.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Twanisha Terry:
Shrimp, Conch, Steak, Salmon, Ribs
During the season, I keep however; when my season is over I don’t hold back at all.
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Twanisha Terry:
During the season, I wear my hair in two ponytails. I don’t do much to them besides oil my hair with Xtreme Hair Growth Oil. My hair tends to grow out pretty fast so after one month or so I will get the front of my hair redone or the whole thing.
I don’t have a strict skincare routine, but I am trying to figure out what products work best for my face.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Twanisha Terry:
Actually, I don’t have five athletic leisure brands I love to wear. Right now, I wear mainly Nike because my high school and collegiate team were sponsored by them. Due to this, all the free gear I received was Nike.
One of my former high school teammates started her own brand and I love wearing my set from her. The brand is Lethal Lifestyle.
Victoria Secret/Pink has some nice sports bra and tights sets that I love to wear.
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Twanisha Terry:
Paris, Dubai, Trinidad & Tobago, Bora Bora, Spain
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding sprinters, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of sprinting?
Twanisha Terry:
Always be coachable and open to constructive criticism. Don’t compare your success to someone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy and happiness… another person chapter 35 maybe your chapter 7. The path to success is not a smooth one in this sport there will be unexpected ups and downs.
Namita Nayyar:
A message for your Instagram followers.
Twanisha Terry:
To my Tee babies: Stay focused. Give your all at what you do… Always be fierce. I am thankful for each and every one of you.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Twanisha Terry:
There are so many positive benefits to exercising along with being good for both the mind and body. I would like to encourage visitors to figure out what physical activity works best for them and create a plan with goals to accomplish that would motivate them to become or remain active.
Twanisha Terry Social Media Presence
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/canonlybeme__/
Twitter https://twitter.com/teeteeterry_
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TwanishaT
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness