Battle Under the Stars 3 – Event Recap
Battle Under The Stars Three took place at SMASH Gyms in Sunnyvale, CA on April 26, 2025.
Twenty-seven (27) athletes ranging from teen to masters showed up for one heck of a day. This two day event sold out in record time, just four months before it even began. The weekend officially kicked off Friday night with an in-person seminar led by the event’s professional judges. For those who couldn’t attend in person, the session was also live-streamed via Zoom. Over the course of two engaging hours, athletes asked thoughtful questions and the judges’ candid, down-to-earth answers made one thing clear: these pros are women just like the competitors—strong, relatable, and inspiring. Attendees enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to connect with the judges in an intimate setting, gaining valuable insights on event strategies, training techniques, nutrition, and more.
Each year the athletes who previously competed at the Inaugural Battle and returned to compete at Battle Two and Three receive special treats. This year it was breakfast with the pro judges before the event. They also received a tactical backpack with a custom Hydroflask, custom velcro Battle patch for their backpack, a custom color event shirt to wear proudly as well as a surprise shirt featuring, 3x World’s Strongest Woman, Erin Murray. These 6 ladies also got to register for the much anticipated event ahead of the general public. It was during breakfast that each of the ladies drew events from a hat to determine the event order for the day. It was even determined if the infamous Hercules Hold would have the rolling handles again for the third year or not. Photos were sent from breakfast back to the event area where they were posted on social media for all to see the order. Most of the ladies rejoiced when they found this would be the first year NOT using rolling handles on the Hercules Hold.
The biggest obstacle for the day was the weather. Battle was founded on the basis of the Goddess Nyx, Goddess of the night so this year we embodied the night with the 3:00 PM start time. We tested our luck against nature, with a forecast of rain, however in true California fashion, the day went from sunny to cloudy to rainy to “freezing” cold for us Californians. Before the event began, we had a presentation of this year’s poster which was created by Amenah (@araviimm on IG). She used Erin Murray as the muse for the poster and it turned out incredibly. Then it was go time!
Event #1 Nemesis load saw the ladies load 3 sandbags into a torque tank with a basket and then push the tank on the highest resistance for 50’. The heaviest bag was next to the basket so just a quick pick and load. The second sandbag was at the 25’ mark and the third at the 50’. The ladies had to run to the 25’ mark, grab the sandbag, run back to the tank and load it. This was repeated for the 50’ as well. This event started out with a little sun and then went to overcast and the last few ladies endured a bit of rain but they didn’t give up. Every single novice and teen completed the entire event! With judge Angelica Jardine there beside you, it wasn’t hard to get motivated to pick sandbags up and show off for her.
Event #2 was Carry Down to Hades aka farmers carry. The ladies lined up side by side to take those farmers 50’ as fast as they could. We had judges Erin Murray and newly crowned pro card recipient Ally Abbs making sure these athletes shuffled their feet as fast as they could to the finish. Some of these ladies went 50’ in a little over 6 seconds! Most moved their weight in 7-9 seconds. Holy moving event these ladies were quick!
Event #3 was Press to Olympus aka axle clean and press away. This event we toggled between 2 lanes with one athlete going at a time. Judges, Nancy Johnson and Carol Ambrozewicz, were there to yell support and give that down command. Carol has competed at Battle the past 2 years but due to an injury, couldn’t compete this year. She instead came out from Maryland to help judge and be part of the event any way she could. She is a favorite of everyone, especially the judges, and a staple of this event. Her and Nancy got a great arm workout with their down commands especially when one of our Masters ladies hit 21 reps in 60 seconds!
Event #4 was the Hercules Hold with NON rolling handles this year. Gabi Dixson, the World Record holder, returned to judge this event. The gleam in the athletes eyes when they walked up and took those handles and looked at Gabi is something you cannot forget. The athletes who have participated in this event at Battle before initially were thankful for the non rolling handles as they were seeking revenge on their time from previous years. All the athletes quickly expressed their displeasure with these handles too as their grip was gone by the end. Lots of hand cramping, callous tearing and painful looks when they stepped down. A few of the ladies read the rules and the small print about togas or dresses and chose to don one for this event. Despite the freezing cold, this was a highlight seeing these ladies. One athlete showed off her grip strength and held on for over over 3 minutes!
Event #5 was Bia aka silver dollar deadlift last woman standing event. Brittany Diamond was the amazing judge for this event. At the last minute, we added a second lane as the sun was setting and it was very cold so we brought Shannon Byrd (World’s Strongest Nail Tech) out to judge. Ally Abbs stepped up to help her, as this was Shannon’s first time judging. Despite the freezing cold, these ladies gave everything they had left and put up some amazing numbers. Our teen hit a PR of 305 and our last woman standing was a MW pulling 700! The crowd went absolutely crazy on the last pull to end the night.
Battle Under The Stars has turned into an event in which women are drawn too. Each year we welcome back returning faces and lots of new ones too. It’s an honor that these athletes have come to trust me. They share their journey into this sport and also bring with them their support and cheering squad. They welcome the unexpected, and look forward to the much anticipated amazing pro judges that so graciously give their time to the weekend. They pose for pictures, give tips and tricks for events, sign autographs and seem to enjoy the fangirling from the athletes, spectators and volunteers. This event would not happen if it wasn’t for the amazing volunteers who step up and tirelessly work for hours during all weather conditions (they are rewarded greatly for it).
The photographer (and my website designer and moderator) who comes out and donates her time to shoot thousands of photos and moves along with the athletes and judges during the event to get the best shots. To her, I am forever grateful and honored (www.marianamaya.com). DJ Danny has also been a participant at all three Battles. She comes out for hours playing music and trying to keep the day moving along and hyped.
If you have never hosted a competition, I encourage you to try it or at least give thought to all that goes into it. I had no idea what I was doing 3 years ago when I hosted the Inaugural Battle Under The Stars. I took inspiration from previous competitions I had competed in and incorporated the good into this event. I leaned into my community of ladies, some who knew about the sport as well as a few who didn’t, for guidance and to create this one of a kind all women empowering competition, that is much more: it is an experience. Every year has been a learning and growing experience, reviewing feedback and incorporating changes into this always evolving event. The amount of work it takes to do this is insane and the money needed is even more insane.
My goal for these Battles was to create an athlete experience of empowerment, inclusion, community and self fulfillment. I believe I have accomplished creating that the past 3 years. This event has been a labor of love and self-funded. Therefore, the help I do receive is so appreciated because until you’ve done this, you don’t have a clue how much goes into it…sleepless nights, excessive notes, checking and triple checking lists, making weight charts, picking events and making sure you have the equipment, doing things different and unexpected (like a coffee cart this year), emails, text etc. all takes a toll on the mind. After all is said and done, I am honored and proud to have been able to provide this for all the ladies to experience. I am truly thankful for everyone’s support and the athletes’ belief in me. I hope everyone who has been part of the past 3 years enjoyed themselves and will remember what an amazing event it was. You can check out all things Battle from the past 3 years @ www.distanceunlimited.com
