Meet Fabiola Castro. After moving to the U.S. at a young age, Fabiola found refuge in sports and athletics, igniting her passion for fitness and understanding how the body works. She initially chose to attend UCF to serve as a graduate assistant in fitness at the Recreation and Wellness Center. However, her journey took an exciting turn when she transitioned to a graduate assistantship in the Division of Kinesiology, where she worked in the Kinesiology Teaching Lab. These experiences deepened her love for exercise science and reaffirmed her commitment to the field of kinesiology. After graduation, she plans on pursuing her National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) certificate to support her long-term goal of opening an all-female gym focused on empowering minority women through fitness.
Hometown: Degollado, Mexico
Degree: Master of Science in Kinesiology
What will you be doing after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work temporarily at Iron Mountain in Fort Wayne, IN, while dedicating time to studying for and earning my NSCA certificate. Once certified, I’ll be pursuing opportunities in my chosen field of kinesiology, where I can apply my skills and passion to make a meaningful impact.
What are your long-term career plans?
My long-term career goal is to open an all-female gym focused on empowering minority women, particularly Latina women, who are among the least physically active groups. I want to create a space where Latinas can embrace the benefits of resistance training and build confidence through fitness. Additionally, I hope to facilitate research at my future facility to contribute to the body of knowledge on minority groups and physical activity, addressing gaps in representation within exercise science. This mission is close to my heart, and I’m passionate about making a lasting impact.
What accomplishment from your time at UCF are you most proud of?
The accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at UCF is my 14-week internship at BioFit Performance. This experience was a pivotal moment in my career, solidifying my passion for my long-term goals. It significantly boosted my confidence in coaching strength and conditioning group classes and empowered me to fully embrace my identity in this field. Surrounded by supportive coaches and an incredible preceptor, I developed the skills and assurance I needed to turn my dreams into reality.
What did you love the most about your time at UCF?
What I loved most about my time at UCF was the incredible people I met—professors, peers, and mentors—who genuinely wanted to see me succeed. I’m so grateful for the support, challenges, friendships, and experiences that have shaped me into the professional I am today. Being away from home wasn’t easy, but UCF truly became a home away from home, and I’ll always cherish my time here.
What was your favorite class, professor, or experience at CHPS, and why?
My two favorite professors at CHPS are Clinical Assistant Professor Caitlin Cheruka and Clinical Assistant Professor Sarah Fretti, who were incredible support systems during a challenging time in my journey. Dr. Fretti provided me with the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant in the Kinesiology Teaching Lab, which allowed me to connect with talented master’s and Ph.D. students who inspired me. Dr. Cheruka has been an invaluable mentor, especially during my final semester. Her genuine care, affirmations, and kindness are truly contagious, and she has been a role model in showing me the importance of perseverance and staying true to my beliefs. I am deeply grateful for their guidance.
