Raye Hollitt and Lori Fetrick remember life as American gladiators

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

Both women had gotten their start in the world of bodybuilding, as Murray had during this time, and Hollitt had actually become an IFBB professional. She said her start in the sport played a big role in her joining the “American Gladiators” cast.

“It was a stepping stone,” Hollitt said proudly. "Everything we did got us to the Gladiators, and that made us want to do more. It's just been a whirlwind."

Hollitt was on the show from 1989 to 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 the show and after, but she expressed that it was a blessing that the show came when it did.

“You know, I think we were lucky that we had that outlet, to be honest, because when I was doing bodybuilding and coming through the ranks, my goal was to go pro,” she recalled. “When I was competing, then I hit (NPC) Nationals, then came Gladiators, I thought (breathes) ‘all day’.”

Both women talk more about their historic run on the iconic series and share more about their careers and lives 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 also on Instagram.