Sydney fitness influencer undergoes emergency brain surgery after casting controversy on Married At First Sight
Alicia Beveridge, known as Sweat with Leash, was hospitalized and prepared for immediate brain surgery after a last-minute casting decision on MAFS 2026.
A Sydney fitness influencer, Alicia Beveridge, known as Sweat with Leash and a Barry’s instructor, is undergoing emergency brain surgery after several days in hospital. Beveridge was admitted to Royal North Shore Hospital, where doctors advised immediate surgery. In a Thursday morning update on Instagram, she said she was going in for brain surgery that day and had been in hospital for days; she also expressed gratitude to the hospital team for their care.
Followers have filled Beveridge’s social channels with messages of support as she prepares for the procedure. Beveridge has built a large following in Sydney’s fitness scene, largely through Barry’s Red Room studio classes where she is known for high-energy routines and direct motivation. Her public brand emphasizes pushing through workouts and personal accountability, with a roster of online programs and in-person sessions for clients.
The health episode unfolds amid Beveridge’s brief association with reality television. The Daily Mail reported that Beveridge was initially cast for the 2026 season of Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight, with filming scheduled to begin within days. An industry source described that she was excited about the wedding and that news of her casting circulated ahead of formal agreements. The same account noted that Beveridge was told to adhere to a non-disclosure agreement, and that concerns over public comments led producers to cut her from the lineup and recast the role at the last minute.
Since the setback, Beveridge has remained active in the fitness scene and has used her platforms to stay connected with clients and followers as she navigates her medical situation. The specifics of the brain condition have not been disclosed publicly, and hospital officials have offered no further details while Beveridge remains under care. Friends and clients have expressed support on social media, underscoring the unpredictable nature of medical emergencies and the importance of rest and rehabilitation.
The incident highlights the intersection of health and entertainment, where public figures balancing professional commitments and private health concerns face abrupt changes to planned projects. Health authorities emphasize that brain surgery is a major procedure requiring careful evaluation and recovery time, and Beveridge’s medical team has not released a timeline for her recovery. In the meantime, supporters hope for a full and rapid recovery, and Beveridge has asked for privacy as she focuses on healing.