Steps Into The Spotlight

with FHM November 2026 Lori Fetrick / @lori.ice.fetrick 

Welcome to FHM! It’s an absolute honor to have you with us. Tell us a little about yourself and your journey so far. First, thank you for having me! What a fun way to celebrate this chapter of my life. Most people know me as Ice from the original American Gladiators, but there’s a lot more to me than a spandex uniform and a competitive attitude. Although I have to admit, those were some pretty incredible years. I’ve spent most of my life in the fitness industry, from competing and training to inspiring others to become stronger and healthier. At 62, I stepped back onstage as a figure competitor, proving to myself that age doesn’t have to determine what we’re capable of. Today, at 63, I’m still evolving. I’m creating content, hosting podcasts, exploring new opportunities, and enjoying the freedom that comes with knowing exactly who I am. And here’s the funny part: I think I’m just getting started. 

What is one lifestyle change you’ve made this year that has completely transformed your life? Learning to slow down without feeling guilty about it. As a lifelong athlete, I’ve always been wired to push harder, train harder, and keep moving. But recovering from a serious knee injury forced me to approach life differently. It taught me that strength isn’t always about how much weight you can lift or how hard you can push yourself. Sometimes strength is having the patience to heal, adapt, and accept that you can’t control everything. I’m still working on that patience part, by the way. 

What does being featured in a magazine in 2026 represent for you at this stage of your journey? I absolutely love it because I’m 63. There’s something incredibly empowering about being featured in a magazine at an age when society sometimes expects women to become less visible. I don’t believe confidence, beauty, or sex appeal comes with an expiration date. If anything, I’ve become more comfortable in my own skin as I’ve gotten older. Being featured in FHM isn’t about trying to look 30 again. It’s about celebrating the woman I’ve become at 63. And if that challenges a few outdated ideas about aging, even better. 

If you could write a letter to your younger self, what advice or words of encouragement would you share? Stop worrying so much about what other people think. You’re going to make mistakes, trust the wrong people, experience heartbreak, and have moments when you question yourself. But every one of those experiences will teach you something. Don’t shrink yourself to make someone else comfortable. Know your worth, protect your independence, and never be afraid to reinvent yourself. Oh, and one more thing: wear the bikini, take the pictures, and enjoy that body. Someday you’ll look back and wonder why you were ever so critical of yourself. 

How would you describe your personal style, and what inspires your fashion choices? I’d describe my style as sexy tomboy with a little edge. I love a great pair of fitted jeans, a simple tank top, sneakers, and a leather jacket. But I can just as easily throw on a fitted dress and heels and feel completely at home. I’ve always had a muscular, athletic physique, so I gravitate toward clothes that complement my body rather than hide it. I don’t really follow fashion rules. I wear what makes me feel confident, comfortable, and sexy. Sometimes that’s a bikini, sometimes it’s jeans and a T-shirt. And I still think confidence is the best thing a woman can wear. 

What is the best place you’ve ever visited in the world, and what made it so memorable? I’ve been fortunate to travel and experience some wonderful places throughout my career, but what makes a destination memorable to me isn’t necessarily how luxurious it is. It’s the atmosphere, the people, the food, and the experiences you have while you’re there. I love places where I can slow down, explore, sit at a little café, enjoy a great meal, and just take in the surroundings. Those are the moments that stay with me. 

What is one thing about yourself that might surprise your fans? I’m probably a lot more down-to-earth than people expect. When people remember Ice from American Gladiators, they remember this strong, intimidating woman who was ready to take somebody out in the arena. But in everyday life, I’m pretty laid-back. I love being home, hanging out with my dogs, cooking, and enjoying the simple things. Don’t get me wrong, that competitive side is still there. It just doesn’t need to come out every time I walk into a room. 

If you could collaborate with any brand, photographer, celebrity, or creative in the world, who would you choose and why? I’d love to collaborate with a brand or creative team that celebrates strong, confident women without putting an age limit on beauty or sex appeal. I think there’s a huge opportunity to change how women over 50 and 60 are represented in fashion, fitness, and advertising. I’d love to be part of a campaign that makes people stop scrolling and say, “Wait, she’s HOW old?” Not because I’m trying to look younger, but because I want to challenge what people think aging is supposed to look like. 

What makes you feel most confident and empowered in your everyday life? Knowing that I can take care of myself. I’ve worked hard to build a strong body, but I’ve also worked hard to become a strong, independent woman. There’s a certain freedom that comes with age. You stop needing everyone to approve of your decisions. You become more selective about where you spend your energy and who gets access to your life. I know who I am, what I bring to the table, and what I’m willing to accept. That kind of confidence is pretty sexy. 

Do you enjoy cooking? What are some of your favourite recipes or meals to prepare at home? I actually love cooking. People sometimes assume because I’ve spent my life in fitness that I live on chicken breasts and broccoli. Trust me, I enjoy food. I love making a great steak, turkey burgers, stuffed peppers, and a good homemade meatloaf. I also love sweet potatoes. I believe in eating well and taking care of your body, but I don’t believe food should be a punishment. Life’s too short not to enjoy a good meal. 

Who has been the biggest influence or role model in your life, and what have you learned from them? I’ve learned from a lot of people throughout my life, but some of my greatest lessons have come from my own experiences. Being an athlete taught me discipline. Being in the entertainment industry taught me resilience. And getting older has taught me the importance of knowing my value. I’ve learned that you can admire and learn from others without trying to become them. Ultimately, you have to create your own path and be comfortable walking it. 

What is the biggest turn-off for you when it comes to a man? Arrogance. There’s a huge difference between confidence and arrogance. I love a confident man who knows who he is, has a great sense of humor, and doesn’t feel threatened by a strong woman. But if a man constantly needs to prove how important he is or tries to control everything, I’m immediately turned off. And please, have a sense of humor! If we can’t laugh together, we’re going to have a problem. 

Would you rather be loved, respected, or admired, and why? Respected. Without hesitation. Being loved is wonderful, and being admired is flattering, but respect is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. You can admire someone without really knowing them, and people sometimes confuse love with possession. But when someone genuinely respects you, they value your independence, your boundaries, your opinions, and who you are as a person. To me, that’s everything. 

What are your future goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally? Professionally, I want to continue expanding my brand beyond American Gladiators. I’m incredibly proud of that chapter of my life, but it doesn’t define everything I am today. I want to continue growing my platforms, creating meaningful content, developing partnerships with brands I believe in, and using my voice to change the conversation around aging, fitness, and confidence. Personally, I want to stay healthy, strong, independent, and curious. I want to travel more, experience new things, and continue challenging myself. I’m not interested in slowing down just because society thinks I should. I still have a lot of living to do. 

Where can our readers follow you to keep up with your latest news, projects, and upcoming events? You can find me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube under Lori “Ice” Fetrick. I share everything from fitness and healthy aging to lifestyle, behind-the-scenes moments, photoshoots, and a little bit of my playful side. You can also catch my podcast, Chillin with Ice, where I share stories and conversations about life, fitness, entertainment, and everything in between. Come say hello! I love connecting with people who have followed my journey, whether they’ve been around since my Gladiator days or just discovered me yesterday. 

Thank you for your time! Before we wrap up, do you have any final words of inspiration or motivation you’d like to share with our FHM readers? Stop letting a number dictate how you’re supposed to live your life. I’m 63. I still lift weights, wear bikinis, do photoshoots, chase new opportunities, and occasionally make people a little uncomfortable with how unapologetically I live my life. And you know what? I’m perfectly fine with that. You don’t have to dress a certain way, act a certain way, or give up the things you love just because you’ve reached a particular age. Take care of your body. Keep challenging yourself. Don’t lose your sense of humor. And never stop doing things that make you feel alive. Getting older is inevitable. Becoming invisible is optional. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m nowhere near finished.