Barbara "Bee" Cardinale

Connect What fuels your passion for health and fitness?

My passion for health and fitness was fueled by reclaiming my life. Training gave me clarity when I stepped away from medication and took ownership of my health. Nutrition rooted in whole, animal-based foods became central to my healing. I adopted four children from foster care, and fitness gives me the strength to endure single motherhood, especially on the tougher days. I want women to know their goals are possible at any stage of life. That's real passion: helping other women see their worth!

What’s your favorite way to train or stay fit?

My favorite way to exercise is CrossFit-style training that blends lifting heavy with cardio conditioning. I enjoy powerlifting, Olympic lifts, jump rope work, and traditional gym movements, and I’ve recently expanded into machines for balance and longevity. I hold my CrossFit Level 2 certification and previously worked as a trainer. I’ve competed in events like a 24-hour Green Beret fitness challenge and the Barbell Beatdown, and I hope to compete in powerlifting in the future.

What would you do with $20,000?

I would use the $20,000 to launch a women-focused wellness and empowerment business designed to help women overcome trauma by reconnecting with their passions and rebuilding confidence through nutrition, movement, and purposeful work. Many women lose touch with what they love after trauma. My goal is to help them rediscover that passion—whether it’s fitness, art, entrepreneurship, caregiving, or a career change—and give them the physical and mental foundation to pursue it successfully!