From Politics to Protein: How Lara Built a Fitness Empire & Found Her Purpose 💪🇺🇸

Lara is the hype queen and nutrition guru at Real Fitness Naples. Originally a vegetarian marathon runner, Lara found CrossFit when she decided it was time for a new way to test her fitness. 10 years later she's a meat-eating CrossFit addict and feels stronger and faster than ever!  Lara's favorite workouts are DT & Hotshots 19, and she loves embracing her patriotism and working out to Lenny Kravitz's rendition of 'American Woman.' Lara loves helping folks find balance both in and out of the gym and offers nutrition coaching, small group classes, and personal training for those looking to target smaller muscle groups and/or get a good pre/post workout pump 💪!  TIMESTAMPS1. Intro to Lara and fitness mindset: 00:00 2. The impact of gym love story on life: 01:37 3. Lara’s early salon chat & braid talent: 02:40 4. Unconditional love & personal transformation: 03:42 5. How fitness coaching began for Lara: 04:45 6. The $5,000 Biden bet to lose body fat: 05:16 7. Using stakes and community for motivation: 06:20 8. Grace for imperfection & sustainable habits: 07:24 9. Lara’s 90/10 rule on health indulgence: 07:56 10. Protein intake and physique transformation: 08:27 11. Family influence: boxer dad and fitness mom: 09:29 12. The marathon race with her dad post-keg stand: 11:04 13. Fitness, family bonding, and competitive edge: 11:35 14. How her parents still support her journey: 12:07 15. From Louis Vuitton to fitness coach: 14:12 16. Fitness in lockdown → nutrition certification: 15:17 17. Leaving politics and refocusing on people: 17:20 18. Meeting Congressman Byron Donalds: 20:27 19. Leaving politics for coaching full time: 21:30 20. Fear, faith, and launching her fitness business: 22:32 21. Helping others step out of the “Rat Race”: 25:06 22. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “go all in” influence: 26:08 23. Why passion beats the college path: 26:39 24. Food as fuel: Challenger muscle car metaphor: 39:04 25. First 3 steps: Walk, affirm, eat protein: 41:06PART 21. Why calorie counting may not be ideal: 42:42 2. What a sample starter day looks like: 43:14 3. Recommended breakfast & protein sources: 43:45 4. Wraps, turkey, salmon & healthy fats: 44:18 5. Guacamole and veggie snacks vs junk food: 44:51 6. Carrots, hummus, and shashido peppers: 45:22 7. How tea can curb nighttime cravings: 46:24 8. 30 days to create lasting change: 46:57 9. Meal cutoff time: 7:30 PM tip: 47:27 10. Ginger tea & digestion at night: 47:58 11. Veterans bootcamp: giving back: 48:29 12. Take a Soldier Fishing program: 49:00 13. Hotel experience for military members: 49:30 14. Boot camp with sandbag workouts: 50:03 15. Helicopter flag drop and hell week vibes: 50:33 16. Cold plunges and recovery drinks: 51:06 17. Veterans bootcamp planned for Veterans Day: 52:09 18. Veterans’ service and lack of recognition: 52:40 19. Real-life examples of helping struggling veterans: 53:10 20. Gold Star wives honored with salon makeovers: 54:12 21. Stories of sacrifice and gratitude: 54:43 22. Salon event for military widows and community effort: 55:45 23. Veteran fitness day recap & next event plans: 56:15 24. Philly pronunciation challenge: “Schuylkill”: 57:48 25. Heartfelt thank you and final reflections: 59:21Got someone in mind who deserves the spotlight? Shoot us a text and let us know! We’d love to hear from you!