Raye Hollitt and Lori Fetrick reminisce about life as American gladiators

In September 1989, a new television show hit the airwaves that changed the culture of health and fitness. “American Gladiators” made its debut, and fans were as impressed by the physique of the stars as by the competition themselves. Two of those stars, Lori “Ice” Fetrick and Raye “Zap” Hollitt, were joined by Lenda Murray and Alina Popa, to reminisce about her time on the show on a recent episode of Femme Flex Friday.

Both women had their beginnings in the world of bodybuilding, as Murray had during that time, and Hollitt had actually become an IFBB pro. She said her start in the sport played a big part in becoming part of the American Gladiators cast.

“It was a stepping stone,” Hollitt said proudly. “Everything we did got us into Gladiators, and that drove us to do even more. It was just a whirlwind.”

Hollitt was on the show from 1989-1990. She then returned in 1991 and continued until 1995. Fetrick joined the show in 1990 and competed in two stints until the series ended in 1996. Fetrick made the most of the opportunity and she deserved all the success she achieved both on and off the show, but she expressed that it was a blessing that the show came at the time it did.

“You know, I think we were lucky that we had that outlet, to be honest, because when I was in bodybuilding and progressing through the ranks, my goal was to turn pro,” she recalled. “When I competed, then I met (NPC) Nationals, then came Gladiators, I was like (breathing) ‘all day.'”

Both women speak more about their historical run on the cult series and share more about their careers and life before and after the show. You can watch the entire episode by going to www.wingsoftstrength.net. New episodes air every Friday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Don’t forget to follow @femmeflexfriday on Instagram too.