Sydney Elise Hunter
Sydney started running track at a very early age. By high school, she was "Sydney the Track Star," running the 200m, 400m, and 4x400 relay fast enough to land a Division 1 scholarship at UC Riverside.
She picked up a barbell at 13 to get faster on the track. Olympic lifts, cleans, snatches, jerks. It was supposed to be cross-training. Somewhere along the way, the weights won.
In Hunter’s third year at UCR, she left the track team to go all-in on personal training and powerlifting. She still finished her degree in four years (B.S. in Sociology, concentration in Social Determinants of Health), launched Body By Syd in May 2018, and built the business from there.
Since then, Sydney has grown into a respected coach, competitive powerlifter, and leader in the fitness community. Competing in the 63kg (138lbs) class at 5’5”, she’s pulled a 501.5 lb deadlift—an undeniable reflection of her strength, discipline, and standard. But her impact goes far beyond numbers.
She holds ISSA and NASM certifications and has trained clients as young as 7 and as old as 85. Youth agility camps, fat loss programs and competition prep. She also built a program called Built By Success that brings fitness training into charter schools around LA.
In 2026, she stepped onto a global stage as “Huntress” on the reboot of American Gladiators (Prime Video), becoming one of the first Black women featured in the modern cast. Sydney has a passion for hosting / leading community events that foster positivity, uplifting energy around healthy & wellness.
She's based in Glendale, California. Off the platform, she is usually hiking, eating somewhere new, or shopping. The coaching philosophy is simple, and she says it often: have fun and keep your head held high.
■
Featured Press
When now-personal trainer, content creator and fitness coach Sydney Hunter was attending St. Francis High School in East Sacramento several years ago, she wasn’t planning to become the next American Gladiator — she just really liked sports.
Basketball, soccer, volleyball — you name it. If it was athletic, Hunter loved it, and was probably good at it, too. This was especially true of track and field. Hunter ran as one of the fastest sprinters at St. Francis and eventually competed on scholarship at UC Riverside for the same sport. Article
How Sacramento’s Fitness Economy Helped Create an ‘American Gladiators’ Star
‘American Gladiators’ Star Huntress Hopes to Inspire Young Women in Sports as Pop Culture Phenomenon Returns
Prepare to be entertained now that “American Gladiators” is back for its third iteration, out Friday on Prime Video.
The reboot welcomes a brand new batch of 16 superhuman athletes to hold the mantle as the titular Gladiators opposite some worthy, everyday Contenders, who themselves get to compete for the $100,000 prize. Article
Carolyn Veal-Hunter has a nickname picked out for the “American Gladiators” watch party she will attend Friday. Veal-Hunter is the mother of Sydney Hunter, who grew up in Sacramento and is competing on an Amazon Prime reboot of the 1990s television hit that premieres Friday. Hunter is known on the show as “Huntress.” Her mother will attend the watch party as “Mama Huntress.” Article
She was a top sprinter for St. Francis. Now she’s on ‘American Gladiators’
As a proud California native stepping into one of television’s most iconic arenas, Sydney Hunter is redefining what strength looks like for a new generation. As one of the first Black women to join the modern reboot of American Gladiators, she represents both legacy and evolution — honoring a franchise that helped shape mainstream fitness culture while expanding its vision of who gets to be seen as powerful. In a space that historically offered limited representation for Black women in elite athletics, Sydney’s presence feels both groundbreaking and long overdue. Article
Meet Sydney Hunter- The Newest Cast Member Of American Gladiator
Sydney Hunter Brings Discipline & More To American Gladiators
Fitness expert and entrepreneur Sydney Hunter is stepping into a national spotlight as part of American Gladiators on Amazon Prime Video, bringing a disciplined, performance-first mindset to the iconic competition series.
Selected among 16 elite athletes from across the country, Hunter represents a new generation of Gladiators — combining strength, athletic credibility, and mental resilience. The reboot blends classic events with modern competition, introducing the franchise to a new audience. Article
Sacramento Girl to American Gladiator: The Sydney Hunter Story
What does it take to become an American Gladiator?
Sydney Hunter, a fitness coach who earned a spot as one of the newest athletes on the iconic competition series American Gladiators, shares the journey.
From coaching clients and building a career in fitness to stepping onto one of television’s most physically demanding stages, Sydney talks about the intense audition process, the preparation required to compete, and the discipline needed to maintain elite athletic performance. Article
During Grammy Week, when Los Angeles pulses with music, celebrity, and creative energy, For The Culture: Los Angeles carved out space for something equally powerful — a wellness community experience led by American Gladiators’ Sydney Hunter.
Hosted at Barbell Brigade, the fitness-forward gathering brought together LA’s wellness scene for an elevated workout experience led by Sydney Hunter, alongside fellow influencers Kris Davis and Spinner. Article
‘American Gladiator’ Star Sydney Hunter Leads Grammy Week Workout
A Top Powerlifter's Surprisingly Simple Advice To Get Stronger
Sydney Hunter doesn't look like what most people picture when they imagine a powerlifter—and she's perfectly fine with that. The powerlifter, personal trainer, and track-turned-barbell athlete is gearing up for powerlifting nationals this March.
I sat down with Hunter to talk all things training, protein, mindset, and the one shift she wants every woman to make when it comes to the gym. Article
More Press
Sydney-Focused Press
'American Gladiators' Star Huntress Hopes to Inspire Young Women in Sports as Pop Culture Phenomenon Returns, TheWrap, Article
'Huntress' Sydney Hunter previews American Gladiators, FOX 11 Los Angeles, Article
'Huntress' Sydney Hunter previews American Gladiators, MSN, Article
'Huntress' Sydney Hunter previews American Gladiators, Yahoo News, Article
She was a top sprinter for St. Francis. Now she's on 'American Gladiators', The Sacramento Bee, Article
She was a top sprinter for St. Francis. Now she's on 'American Gladiators', AOL, Article
Sacramento's Sydney Hunter Takes On 'American Gladiators', The Observer, Article
Meet Sydney Hunter — The Newest Cast Member Of American Gladiator, Sheen Magazine, Article
Sacramento Girl to American Gladiator: The Sydney Hunter Story, The Epoch Times, Article
'American Gladiator' Star Sydney Hunter Leads Grammy Week Workout, Press Pass LA, Article
A Top Powerlifter's Surprisingly Simple Advice To Get Stronger, mindbodygreen, Article
American Gladiator & Show Press
Prime Video Drops Official Trailer for American Gladiators, Amazon MGM Studios Press, March 31, 2026, Article
American Gladiators Revival Drops Official Trailer and Gladiator Names, Michael Fairman TV, April 1, 2026, Article
American Gladiators Reboot Trailer and Cast Revealed, The Big Lead, April 2026, Article
Meet the New American Gladiators, TV Insider, April 2026, Article
American Gladiators Confirmed April 2026 Premiere Date, GladiatorsTV.com, March 2026, Article
American Gladiators: Miz-Hosted Version Looks Better Than We Expected, Bleeding Cool, April 2026, Article
Preview of American Gladiators Prime Video Reboot, Qwixter, April 1, 2026, Article
Trailer Released for American Gladiators Reboot, WrestleView, April 2026, Article
American Gladiators (2026), IMDb, Article
Social & Podcast Appearances