Sydney Cummings is reshaping the world of fitness by making it accessible to everyone. As a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist, she is dedicated to her mission of providing high-quality, no-cost fitness resources. Sydney, alongside her fiancé, Dustin Houdyshell, founded and operates Royal Change, a digital fitness media company that is changing lives one workout at a time.
What sets Royal Change apart from other fitness platforms is its commitment to offering daily, high-quality workouts completely free of charge. Even more impressive is the fact that these videos are uninterrupted by ads. This unique approach has earned the company a massive following, with over 800,000 subscribers on YouTube and a thriving paid membership community called the Sydney Squad.
The Sydney Squad brings together thousands of people from all over the world, offering daily group coaching on fitness, nutrition, and mental health. Members benefit from tailored advice, motivation, accountability, and a supportive community. In addition to this coaching program, Royal Change also sells branded merchandise, including apparel and home fitness accessories, creating multiple ways to connect with their audience.
Sydney’s goal is clear: she wants to make fitness inclusive and accessible for everyone. “The greatest reward of this career is seeing the lives we’re able to help change,” she shares. Despite the company’s impressive growth, Sydney and Dustin are committed to keeping the core of their service—daily fitness videos—free of charge.
Although Royal Change was already two years into its journey before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the global crisis turned out to be a pivotal moment for the company. With gyms and businesses shutting down worldwide, many people turned to at-home fitness solutions. This increased demand helped Royal Change grow exponentially over the last few years.
Their YouTube subscriber count has quadrupled since the pandemic began, and the Sydney Squad has expanded rapidly. “Our workouts have helped students, parents, teachers, and others who suddenly had to spend all their time at home,” Sydney explains. “Fitness is both mental and physical. Through our videos, people tell us they’ve stayed strong and healthy, with some even saying we’ve saved their lives.”
Despite this rapid growth, Sydney and Dustin remain firm on their decision not to monetize their workout videos through advertisements. “Giving a product away for free can sometimes make people question its quality,” Sydney admits. “As humans, we tend to equate cost with value.” However, the duo refuses to compromise on their mission to provide fitness for everyone, no strings attached.
Running a business as unique as Royal Change comes with its own set of challenges. Sydney and Dustin admit there’s no playbook for what they’re doing. Without any established guidelines to follow, they have to rely on their own instincts and creativity to navigate the complexities of their business.
Both founders come from humble beginnings, which has fueled their determination to make fitness accessible to everyone. This commitment hasn’t wavered, even as the business has grown. “It’s tough figuring things out on our own, but we’re determined to keep our workouts free every single day,” says Sydney.
Sydney’s passion for fitness began early in life. Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, she excelled as an athlete, ranking nationally in high jump during high school. Her athletic talent earned her a full academic and athletic scholarship to West Virginia University, where she initially pursued nursing.
However, life took an unexpected turn when her nonprofit job was cut due to budget constraints. Unsure of her next steps, she decided to follow Dustin’s suggestion to move to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was working as a CPA. She took up a summer job as a personal trainer, planning to earn money for her second year of nursing school.
That summer job turned into her life’s calling. Sydney discovered she loved helping people improve their lives through fitness, and she never returned to nursing school. “The best part of this job is the positive impact I get to have on people’s lives,” she says.
In 2017, Sydney faced one of the hardest moments of her life. Her younger brother and only sibling, Zach, passed away in a tragic ATV accident. The loss was devastating, but after taking time to heal, Sydney emerged stronger and even more determined to help others transform their lives.
Dustin also found inspiration in tragedy. He quit his job as an accountant to fully support Sydney’s vision. Teaching himself photography and videography, Dustin quickly built a successful career, working with major brands like Nike and People magazine. However, after Zach’s passing, he decided to devote himself entirely to Royal Change. Today, Dustin is the creative force behind the company, producing all the fitness videos and taking photos for their brand.
“He’s pushed me to dig deeper than I ever thought I could,” Sydney says. “His support has been crucial in turning my passion into a thriving business.”
Sydney’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges, but her perseverance is a testament to the power of following your passion. Her advice for young people looking to find their purpose is simple yet profound: “Ignore the expectations of others and the traditions of the past. Dive into what sets your soul on fire.”
She acknowledges that chasing your dreams may not always make sense to others, but it’s worth it. “Your dreams and ambitions will likely be hard to achieve, but that doesn’t mean you should stop chasing them. You can’t put a monetary value on happiness and fulfillment.”
Sydney and Dustin’s partnership is the backbone of Royal Change. Together, they’ve created a platform that not only provides free resources but also fosters a global community of fitness enthusiasts. With nearly 100 million workouts completed online, their impact is undeniable.
The couple’s decision to prioritize accessibility over profit is what sets them apart. Whether through free workout videos, group coaching, or motivational merchandise, Royal Change is proving that fitness can be both inclusive and life-changing.
As Royal Change continues to grow, Sydney and Dustin are committed to staying true to their mission. They understand that their unique business model may be unconventional, but they believe in the value it brings to people’s lives.
Their journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always come from following the beaten path. By prioritizing passion, purpose, and community, Sydney Cummings and Dustin Houdyshell have built more than just a business. They’ve created a movement.
For anyone seeking inspiration, Sydney’s story is proof that with hard work, resilience, and a little bit of courage, it’s possible to turn your passion into something that makes a real difference. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Royal Change is here to support you every step of the way.