Meet Lori Fetrick of Sun Valley, California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Fetrick

Hi Lori, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Unfiltered True Story of a Former American Gladiator

Being a gladiator isn’t on the short list of professions that most kids aspire to. If you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, you’ll often hear the standard list; doctor, lawyer, (and as of late), social media influencer. But rarely if ever would a child say “American Gladiator, and television phenomenon”.

Truth is, I didn’t either. Growing up in a middle to low income household in Los Angeles, it wasn’t a clear path. Sports have been my passion ever since I can remember. Playing basketball with my dad in the backyard was one of my greatest memories as a kid. I took up bodybuilding in my early 20’s, it was at first, a hobby, then it became my dream to become a pro bodybuilder to avoid the indulgent fate I saw my office co-workers facing. As I was climbing the competitive bodybuilding ladder, life had something else in mind for me. Like most things in life, a twist of fate, chance, luck and my relentless preparation landed me with the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to be on millions of television screens around the world. And it was the greatest ride of my life.

Being an American Gladiator, and playing the role of Ice fulfilled so many needs I didn’t even know I had. The desire to be seen, the desire to compete, the desire to showcase who I truly was. It was a team full of comradery as well as competitiveness and I thrived. It was exhilarating to be paid to play for over 9 years of my life. We toured around the USA like Rockstar’s, competed Internationally, and sold out arenas like Madison Square Gardens. We had a toy line, video games, lunch boxes, posters, you name it we had it and all in our likeness. We had become icons. But all good things must come to an end. And endings aren’t always as dramatic as we often think they are. The real endings happen suddenly, without warning.

That is precisely how my ride as an American Gladiator came to pass. Here today, gone tomorrow. A life lesson I wasn’t prepared for, but grateful to have overcome.

After having been on television, as a known character ICE for over 9 years, the end was quick and swift. Having made much less money than anyone would’ve guessed, I found myself, for the first time in a decade, to be utterly lost. In hindsight, the ending of the American Gladiators was possibly the first competitive battle I’d ever been in. On the television screen, I was competing against others, yet I was rarely beaten. After the show, the real competition began – It was me against me.

If I’m being honest, I beat myself up pretty good the first year. I swallowed my pride and life humbled me. I loved being in the spotlight, but at that time, the reality TV craze was just beginning, and casting directors were only interested in “average Joes.” The challenge? I was no longer an “average Joe”—I was Ice from American Gladiators. As auditions passed me by, I needed to work, and quickly. I did what I knew, bartending and personal training. Despite the crazy nature of life at that time, it ignited a few things in me that I’m so grateful for today. Firstly, it instilled in me my desire for lifelong health and fitness. I never stopped just because the show did. Secondly, it provided for me the ability to adapt, to transmute, and to alchemize the event so I could become who I am today. In other words, I became a hustler. I never wanted to work a nine to five job. Looking back, I sometimes wish I had the kind of mindset that allowed me to stay in the same job for 30 years and then retire—it would have been so much easier. But that just wasn’t me. After Gladiators, I took a different path. I opened a gym in Orlando, FL, returned to LA to start a chain of tanning salons, sold real estate across the city, ran my own life insurance business, and eventually transitioned to online personal training, where I had the privilege of coaching thousands of men and women
After nearly 30 years, I can say, enthusiastically that, as amazing as the time on the Gladiators was, the best time of my life has to be now. I’ve learned what I can withstand, inside and outside of the ring. I’ve made countless errors, and with each one, the understanding that only a good life allows for such errors. And I’ve succeeded in getting back up, with every hit I’ve taken from life’s virtual joust stick. I’m still here standing with more hustle and energy than ever before.

In my 6th decade on this planet, I finally feel like I am once again, finding my stride. Last year in June the Netflix documentary “Muscles and Mayhem” (American Gladiators doc) hit the screen and once again “Ice”/Lori Fetrick became relevant again. This ignited the love for the show amongst millions of fans once again. Being that everyone is craving nostalgia these days it remained in the top 3 on the charts on Netflix for weeks. My love for health and fitness has grown deeper, and stronger. My appreciation for how many people I inspired through my role has amplified.

I may no longer be an American Gladiator, but I have become an author of a children’s book “The Playground Warriors” , the host of my own podcast “Chillin with Ice” and became an influencer in the health and wellness space across social media. As an influencer, I have been using my platform to share tips on staying fit, eating healthily, and maintaining mental wellness. My message goes beyond physical transformation—focusing also on self-care, body positivity, and the importance of creating a holistic approach to health. I’ve always been a warrior, a woman who refuses to give up, who refuses to settle, who is always seeking, learning, and ultimately living life to its fullest, no matter what comes my way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every life comes with its share of challenges. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand that my challenges were no more difficult than anyone else’s, albeit more amplified by the fame that was thrust upon me. Having fame and then not having it was a major challenge for me. I tried to reclaim the feeling of having an adoring fan base and the cheers of the crowds. But in time, I humbly realized that everything in life is impermanent, including life itself. And for every challenge or obstacle in life, I’ve been fortunate to have the ones I did. I once read that if you were to stand with a group of people and everyone threw their problems or obstacles into a pile, you’d likely choose your own. It is this mindset of gratitude for everything life has given me that has made this the best time of my life.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At one time I was known as ICE on the American Gladiators. That was the persona I was very much entwined with for many years. Now I’m simply known as Lori Fetrick, a former American Gladiator who is still pursuing lifelong health and fitness. In rebranding myself based on my own accomplishments, I have had the privilege of being a sponsor for an online fitness company called Vshred, I’ve created a children’s book, and IP that encourages young children to develop a life long love of fitness, and I’ve fully come into my own. I will forever be remembered by some as ICE, but I have never been more proud of being Lori.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Life makes me happy. Every day that we have to live is a joy, no matter what happens. These days, the world is so complex, with so much information and misinformation. Sometimes I miss the simplicity of the past. But I also have a tremendous lifeforce, and the desire to cherish every moment has never been more clear. I cherish my friends and family, and all of the little things that life blesses me with every day!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lorifetrick.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lori.ice.fetrick
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lori.Fetrick.Ice/
• Youtube: youtube.com/@chillinwithice youtube.com/@theplaygroundwarriors1
• Other: https://www.theplaygroundwarriors.com