Sommer Ray

Sommer Ray began training in a basement gym at age 15 in 2012. Her parents, both competitive bodybuilders, introduced her to weight training and encouraged her to pursue bikini athletics.

Her family moved frequently while her parents traveled for bodybuilding competitions before settling in Lone Tree, Colorado. Ray grew up in a health-conscious household and developed her fitness routine under her parents' guidance.

Ray entered her first bikini competition at age 16, one year after beginning her fitness training. She competed in the same bodybuilding show as her mother, Shannon Ray.

At the 2015 NPC Colorado State Championships, Ray won first place in both the Bikini Teen and Bikini Class D categories. She also placed 16th at the 2015 NPC USA Championships.

Ray began documenting her workouts and lifestyle on Instagram in 2016. Her posts, which often featured her training and physique, quickly attracted a large audience and made her a prominent figure in online fitness culture.

She later used YouTube vlogs to show aspects of her personality beyond fitness photographs. Her videos helped her address criticism of her social-media image and connect with viewers through a more personal format.

Ray is particularly associated with lower-body and glute-focused workouts. Her training has included high-repetition sets, with exercises such as hack squats, leg presses, standing cable glute extensions, TRX jump squats, and jump rope.

During her bikini-athlete period, she followed a restrictive diet centered on lean proteins, green vegetables, and fruit, while limiting carbohydrates. She later advocated a more sustainable approach to eating and described nutrition and fitness as commitments that require consistent effort.

Ray joined the online group CloutGang in 2017, alongside Alissa Violet, RiceGum, Ricky Banks, and other creators. Her social-media following also led to television appearances, including MTV's Wild 'N Out and the series King Bachelor's Pad.

Her YouTube channel passed one million subscribers in December 2017. She has also used Linktree to direct followers to her products, music, beauty business, and social-media accounts.

Ray's business activities have included the Sommer Ray Shop, which sells activewear and accessories, as well as workout plans. She has also represented IMARAÏS BEAUTY, a plant-based skincare and wellness brand, as its Chief Innovation Officer.

Her online presence has supported work across fitness, fashion, and beauty. These projects have broadened her career beyond modeling and social-media publishing.

Ray began DJing live in 2023 and has performed at stages and festivals in the United States. Her music work has included both DJ performance and production, marking a new focus alongside her modeling and entrepreneurial activities.

She is associated with the electronic genre as a DJ and has promoted music and music-video projects through her online platforms.