Sarah Page On Chyna’s Legacy, Bodybuilding Success and the Story Behind Chyna Syndrome
Sarah Page’s resemblance to Chyna is startling. With her muscular physique, black outfit and towering boots, the woman known as Chyna Syndrome brings back memories of one of wrestling’s most distinctive stars.
But behind the cosplay is a story of personal strength, a fierce dedication to the rigours of competitive bodybuilding and countless opportunities that Sarah never expected.
Appearing on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, the 2025 IBFA Miss Universe winner discussed honouring the life and legacy of Joanie Laurer, overcoming difficult past experiences and finding self confidence through strength training. She also shared stories of meeting wrestling legends and performing with rock band Creeper.
How Princess Jasmine Started Sarah’s Fitness Journey
Sarah’s remarkable and powerful physical transformation began with a costume rather than a bodybuilding competition: Page made a Princess Jasmine outfit from scratch and decided she wanted a more toned stomach to complete the look.
She began working out, and what started as a small goal gradually became something much bigger. Her friend John had repeatedly pointed out her resemblance to Chyna. Sarah had not grown up watching wrestling, so she initially knew little about the woman who would become such an important influence.
When she looked Chyna up, she was immediately impressed. “I want to look like that,” she remembered thinking. But she did not yet feel physically ready to portray her.
After beginning more focused gym training in 2022, Sarah decided to give it a try at a convention. The response helped launch Chyna Syndrome and opened the door to a growing audience of wrestling fans.
Sarah jokes that, at five-foot-five, she is the “action figure version” of Chyna. Her substantial boots help complete the illusion, although the resemblance goes far beyond height.
Honouring Chyna: The Ninth Wonder of the World
For Sarah, portraying Chyna is about remembering Joanie Laurer with affection and respect. She has developed relationships with people connected to Chyna’s estate and spoken with friends who knew her personally.
The description she hears repeatedly is of someone kind, caring and generous. Learning about that person has deepened Sarah’s connection to the character she portrays.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without her,” she said. “I owe her everything.”
Sarah particularly values connecting with fans who never had the opportunity to meet Chyna before the WWE star's untimely death in 2016.
“It’s nice to be able to bring back people’s childhood memories,” she explained.
She is also careful about the responsibility involved. Sarah said she would avoid doing anything she considered disrespectful to Chyna, recognising that portraying a person who has died requires sensitivity towards their friends, family and fans.
Why Sarah Relates to Chyna’s Challenging Story
Sarah’s connection to Chyna extends beyond their appearance. Opening up on Wrestling Life with Ben Veal, she spoke about experiencing domestic abuse and the long emotional aftermath of seeking help.
She described a process that remained unresolved for years and said the uncertainty affected her while she was competing. Bodybuilding gave her something constructive to focus on during a period she found deeply difficult.
Sarah also discussed the work she has done to rebuild her confidence and establish stronger boundaries. Looking back, she recognises how much she once wanted other people’s approval and how differently she approaches relationships now.
Her experiences have made her particularly conscious that a confident appearance does not reveal everything someone is carrying. “You don’t know what someone’s going through in life,” she said. “All you’re seeing is this. You’re not seeing the rest of the bigger picture.”
That awareness shapes how she treats other competitors, especially those who are nervous or struggling to believe they belong on stage.
Becoming IBFA Miss Universe
Bodybuilding has become central to Sarah’s life. She enjoys the training, the preparation and the challenge of seeing how much she can improve, as well as the friendships she has made through competing.
“Bodybuilding is my life,” she said. “It saved me.”
One of her proudest achievements came when she won the IBFA Miss Universe title in 2025. Sarah remembers competing on a stage near the beach in Italy at night, describing the setting as dreamlike.
After winning her class, she returned for the overall judging and was called out as the winner. Sharing that experience with someone close to her who also won a Mr Universe title made the occasion even more meaningful. The trophies represent more than changes to her physique. Sarah said bodybuilding has helped her become mentally stronger and less willing to accept people who undermine her.
The Work Behind Sarah’s Physique
Sarah’s daily routine during competition preparation is demanding. She described carefully planned meals, weight training and several periods of walking or cardio throughout the day.
She also spoke about being neurodivergent and how important structure is to her. Having a clear plan helps her manage the day, although unexpected changes can be difficult.
The discipline is something she enjoys, even when preparation becomes tiring. For Sarah, bodybuilding is a long-term commitment, with progress built through consistency rather than a quick transformation.
She knows that taking the first step can be intimidating. Before joining a gym, she put it off because she was anxious about being around other people. Now, she wants newcomers to feel welcome.
“No one judges you for trying,” she said.
Meeting Billy Gunn, X-Pac and Chris Jericho
Chyna Syndrome has brought Sarah into contact with many of the wrestlers she admires. One particularly memorable encounter came when Billy Gunn visited her convention stand while she was away having a gym photoshoot. He left a note: “Billy was here. You was not.”
Mortified that she had missed him, Sarah went to apologise. Gunn later returned for photographs, including one of him hugging her that carried a special meaning. “He’s like, ‘That’s going to go in my personal collection because I’ve got a picture hugging her like that,’” Sarah recalled.
She was also nervous about meeting Sean Waltman, given his personal history with Chyna, but said he greeted her warmly and already knew about her through the estate.
Chris Jericho, her favourite male wrestler, has taken an interest in her bodybuilding progress too. Sarah still finds it surreal to have conversations with him about training and competing.
Becoming Creeper’s Mistress of Death
Sarah’s performances have also taken her beyond wrestling conventions. Creeper frontman Will, a wrestling fan himself, saw her at For the Love of Wrestling and approached her about playing the band’s Mistress of Death character. The role led to artwork, videos and stage appearances, including a theatrical guillotine sequence at Download Festival.
Sarah loves the costume and the chance to become an intimidating character. White contact lenses and her imposing physique help create a very different presence from her Chyna cosplay.
She said the version of herself from ten years earlier would have struggled with the nerves of performing before such a large crowd. Today, she enjoys the rush.
“Not many people will get the opportunity to stand on stage at Download when they’re not a musician,” she said.
Sarah’s Goal of Reaching the Olympia Stage
Sarah’s next major bodybuilding ambition is to earn an IFBB Pro card and work towards competing at the Olympia. She recognises that it would require further development, time and dedication, but the goal has remained with her since she began competing.
More immediately, she takes pride in how her relationship with herself has changed. After spending much of her life disliking her reflection, she can now appreciate what she has built.
“I like how I look,” she said. “I feel confident in how I look, and for the longest time I didn’t.”
Chyna Syndrome began as a chance to dress up and enjoy a convention with a friend. It has since connected Sarah with fans, athletes and performers around the world, while giving her a way to celebrate the woman who inspired her.
Through it all, she remains someone who loves cosplay, enjoys encouraging others and wants to see how far she can go.
About Wrestling Life Online
Wrestling Life Online is a digital platform dedicated to celebrating the personalities, history and human stories behind professional wrestling. Through in-depth interviews, editorial features and the annual Wrestling Life Hall of Fame, it honours performers whose impact extends far beyond championship reigns.
Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. The show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names and is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's bestselling autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman and author of Good Journeys: 25 Inspiring People & 75 Lessons Learned.
Subscribe : Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music
