MARIA GARGIULO

Hometown: Springfield, Mo

Favorite Food: Nutella - Yes, that is a food group.

Favorite Athlete or Fitness Inspiration:Jenna Fail - she’s an amazing human and so funny! She is genuinely a good person and very down to earth. I love that she acts the same in person as she does on social media.

Other Hobbies: I love to bake! I am a huge fan of turning unhealthy desserts into macro friendly treats! Most of the time the first try is a flop. I either burn them ,forget the egg, or set the kitchen on fire... but the second time around they turn out pretty darn good! I also really to travel. Even if it’s a weekend trip somewhere close, getting out of town really excites me!

What’s your go-to pump up song at the gym? BOOM by Tiësto He is by far my favorite artist. I like any music that is upbeat like trap, edm, trance, dubstep, or house. Pretty much anything that grandma wouldn't understand.

What are three interesting facts about you? 1. I was born in London, England and raised in Sicily, Italy. We moved to the US when I was 11. I still consider Italy to be my home. 2. I was a very hairy child. My dad said I came out looking like a Gorilla. That’s probably why I became a waxing specialist. 3. I have an obsession with baby animals. The cuter they are the more I want to squeeze them to pieces. In a very loving way of course.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Microwaved a boiled egg...on purpose. Go ahead...try it.

What is one thing you’ve always wanted to try? I’ve always wanted to snorkel in a beautiful coral reef!

If you could have one super power, what would it be and how would you use it? If I could have one superpower, I would love to have the power of healing. I would use it to heal both physical wounds and mental ones. For a less Miss America / “I want world peace” answer, I would have to say the power of talking to animals. I would ask wild animals permission to interact with them, or ask them for rides to different places around the earth.