Payton Chandler began gymnastics at the age of four at WOGA Gymnastics and began competing at age six as a level 3. In her first year of competitive gymnastics, Payton placed second on vault and third on floor at the Texas North State Championships. Payton repeated level 3 during the 2015 season and went on to take second all around at the Texas Level 3 North State Meet with a huge 39.250.

Payton opened up her level 4 season at the 2016 WOGA Classic where she won the bars and all around titles. At the Texas Level 4 North State Championships, Payton scored a perfect 10.0 on bars and finished the meet with a second all around finish. At the Level 4 State Meet, Payton took home first on vault and second on bars, floor, and in the all around. Payton only competed two meets of level 5. At her first level 5 meet, she won the bars and all around titles.

Payton began her 2018 level 7 season at the California Grand Invitational winning the beam and all around titles. At the 2018 Texas State Championships, Payton finished first on beam with a 9.850 and second all around with a 38.600, and qualified to regionals. At regionals, Payton had a great meet in a tough age division. She finished second on vault and seventh all around with a 38.075.

Following a solid level 7 season, Payton began her level 8 season at the Kurt Thomas Invitational where she took fourth on bars and beam. Payton continued to improve throughout the season and had a fantastic meet at the Texas State Championships where she won the bars, floor, and all around titles with a huge 38.950. Payton then advanced to the Region 3 Championships where she closed out her season, finishing third on bars and fourth all around.

After her 2019 season, Payton began training at Metroplex Gymnastics. Payton began her 2020 season competing level 9 at the Alamo Classic. Here, Payton had a fantastic meet winning the beam, floor, and all around titles. Two weeks later, Payton competed at the Metroplex National Elite Qualifier where she earned her Hopes 12-13 Compulsory score. In February at the Brestyan's Las Vegas National Elite Qualifier, Payton earned her Hopes optional score to advance to the Hopes Classic in April. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Payton's season was cut short as the remainder of the season was canceled.

Due to the remainder of the 2020 season being canceled, USAG allowed for all Hopes and Elite Qualifiers to retain their qualifying score for the 2021 season. With this, Payton qualified to the 2021 Hopes Classic in the 13-14 division.

Currently, Payton trains 23 hours per week at Metroplex Gymnastics.