Cara Castronuova is a multifaceted individual, with a background in acting, reality TV, hosting, and boxing. She studied acting at the Stella Adler Studio in Los Angeles and gained recognition for her work as a celebrity fitness trainer on NBC's "The Biggest Loser", as well as for her own stunt work and choreographing fight scenes.
Castronuova is the founder and current Executive Director of the non-profit organization "Knockout Obesity Foundation", which aims to help young children lose weight by sending them to summer camps and year-long programs. She is a two-time Golden Gloves winner and certified trainer, who was once ranked nationally by USA Boxing.
Born and raised in Elmont, New York, Castronuova began boxing at the age of five in her family garage with her father, a former Marine. She wrestled in high school and college, and graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications.
Castronuova started her boxing career as a youth boxing trainer and later began competing locally, winning her first fight in 2002 at the NY Empire State Games in Syracuse. She also volunteered for a government-funded program for troubled youth to teach them the virtues of boxing and keep them off the streets.
As a personal fitness and boxing trainer, Castronuova used fighting and boxing to encourage clients to "find their warrior within". She continued to train clients while competing in boxing, winning a pair of "Silver Gloves" in 2004 and her first New York Golden Gloves championship at Madison Square Garden in 2005.
Castronuova has been a fighter her whole life, facing adversity competitively and personally. Her father's death from obesity when she was a teenager and her mother's death in a car accident four years ago fueled her ambition and motivated her to become a role model and strong foundation for her family.
She has also trained extensively in martial arts and other fighting techniques, leading to acting opportunities as a stunt woman and stunt coordinator. Castronuova has worked as a reporter and fitness writer for NY and boxing press outlets, and as an announcer and sports commentator for various boxing venues in NYC.
Castronuova founded the "Knockout Obesity Foundation", where she is the current spokesperson. She creates and operates extensive summer camps for young children to lose unhealthy weight. She trains both male and female champion boxers, operates Women's Empowerment Bootcamps, and appears as a fitness contributor/writer on various programs and media outlets.
Castronuova has learned that in boxing and life, "a comeback is important", and that fighting spirit and drive has served her well, professionally and personally. After her success as a trainer on "The Biggest Loser", she became a brand ambassador for Everlast and Puma. She is working on her own, unique weight-loss/health show with some twists that are specific to her unique abilities and creativity.
