Coach Cara is a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army Reserves with 18 years of dedicated service as a Combat Medic, including deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. She currently serves as the Operations NCO for the Army Reserve Medical Command Division Headquarters in Pinellas Park, Florida.

Off-duty, Coach Cara brings her extensive medical background to her civilian career. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology from Harding University and works full-time as the Point of Care Testing Coordinator for BayCare, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of vital diagnostic testing.

Coach Cara’s passion for health, community, and service naturally guided her toward fitness coaching. A CrossFit Level 1 Trainer since 2020, she has spent the last six years coaching at a local gym, specializing in CrossFit workouts, running, and hybrid training. She proudly joined the Catch A Lift (CAL) Fund coaching team in 2025 after connecting with a fellow CAL member at her gym. Driven by a desire to help others become the healthiest, strongest versions of themselves, Coach Cara is also certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Mental Health First Aid.

Coach Cara lives in Clearwater, Florida, with her spouse and their beloved pets: Oliver the cat, and their two dogs, Smokey and Benny.