Giada Folcia, is an Italian model, athlete, artist, and certified personal trainer. She is currently Miss Universe Emilia-Romagna 2025 and 1st Runner-Up at Miss Universe Italy 2024.
Strong is the new beautiful. Meet the personal trainer who’s redefining what a Miss Universe looks like. “Sculpting bodies, chasing crowns, and breaking molds. Giada Folcia isn’t just a model—she’s an athlete with a mission.”
She has a background in fine arts, and she combines fitness, creativity, and self-expression, using movement and art to empower women both physically and mentally. She actively compete in HYROX and long-distance running events, embracing discipline, resilience, and consistency as core values in her lifestyle and training.
Beyond her professional work, she is deeply committed to giving back through her charitable project “Supereroi per voi,” where she visits pediatric hospitals dressed as Wonder Woman, bringing moments of courage, joy, and hope to children and their families.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Giada Folcia – an exceptionally talented and accomplished Italian professional model, athlete, artist, and certified personal trainer. Here she talks about her fitness and beauty pageant journey.
Namita Nayyar:
As someone who seamlessly blends the worlds of fine arts, athletic competition, and public service, how do you define your personal mission? What core message do you hope to convey through your multifaceted career?
Giada Folcia:
My personal mission is to inspire people to recognize and cultivate their inner strength, beauty, and authenticity. Through art, sport, and public service, I aim to show that determination and creativity can coexist, and that it’s possible to live a full and meaningful life without compromising on oneself.
Namita Nayyar:
Your journey includes being crowned Miss Universe Emilia-Romagna 2025 and achieving 1st Runner-Up at Miss Universe Italy 2024. How has the pageant experience influenced your advocacy and personal growth?
Giada Folcia:
Participating in Miss Universe Emilia-Romagna and Miss Universe Italy has been transformative. These experiences taught me how to manage pressure, communicate confidently, and use my visibility to support meaningful causes. They strengthened my resilience and provided a platform to promote female empowerment and holistic well-being.
Namita Nayyar:
Having a background in fine arts, how do you see creativity intersecting with discipline, especially in the realms of fitness and competition?
Giada Folcia:
Creativity and discipline are two sides of the same coin. In art, I follow techniques and rules to express a vision; in sport, I follow structured training programs. Both require focus and consistency, while creativity allows me to find innovative solutions and approach challenges with enthusiasm.
Namita Nayyar:
You actively compete in HYROX and long-distance running. How do you balance the demanding training for these distinct challenges? Could you walk us through a typical training week?
Giada Folcia:
Balancing HYROX, CrossFit, and long-distance running requires careful planning and almost daily commitment. My typical week includes:
- 2–3 HYROX sessions focusing on functional high-intensity training and endurance
- 2–3 CrossFit sessions combining weightlifting, functional movements, and varied circuits
- 2–3 runs of different intensities (long, medium, and interval sessions)
Dedicated mobility, stretching, and active recovery sessions
The key is to listen to my body, distribute training load intelligently, and balance intense days with active recovery. The variety keeps me motivated, challenged, and mentally focused.
Namita Nayyar:
As a certified personal trainer, what is your foundational philosophy when helping clients, especially women, build sustainable fitness habits?
Giada Folcia:
I believe in sustainable, personalized fitness. For women, it’s important to build habits that are realistic, enjoyable, and maintainable. The goal is not only physical transformation but also increased confidence and mental well-being.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
HYROX combines functional fitness with running. What mental and physical adaptations did you find most challenging, and how did you overcome them?
Giada Folcia:
Combining HYROX, CrossFit, and running requires strong mental focus and physical versatility. Each modality challenges different aspects: endurance, strength, coordination, and mental resilience. I overcome challenges by progressing gradually, focusing on proper technique, and using consistency and discipline as guiding principles.
Namita Nayyar:
Discipline, resilience, and consistency are your stated core values. How do you cultivate these on days when motivation is low?
Giada Folcia:
On days when motivation is low, I rely on routine. A morning workout, a short training session, or a creative practice helps me maintain momentum. Discipline is built through consistent effort, not fleeting bursts of motivation.
Namita Nayyar:
How does your nutritional approach support your dual goals of athletic performance and overall well-being? Do you follow a specific dietary framework? How do you adjust your diet during intense training blocks versus recovery periods or off-season?
Giada Folcia:
My nutrition is balanced and flexible. During intense training, I emphasize complex carbohydrates and protein to sustain energy and recovery. During recovery or off-season periods, I focus on vegetables, healthy fats, and lighter proteins. Listening to my body and remaining flexible is essential to long-term health and performance.
Namita Nayyar:
What are your non-negotiable wellness practices for maintaining physical and mental balance?
Giada Folcia:
Adequate sleep, stretching, meditation, and creative activities are essential for my physical and mental balance. These practices allow me to maintain energy, focus, and overall well-being.
Namita Nayyar:
With a schedule that includes intense workouts, public appearances, and photo shoots, what does your daily skincare routine look like? Are there key products or ingredients you swear by? How do you protect and care for your skin and hair against the potential stressors of frequent sweating, sun exposure, and styling? Do you have a minimalist or maximalist approach to beauty? How does it align with your athletic and artistic lifestyles?
Giada Folcia:
With a busy schedule, my skincare routine is simple yet effective: cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen. I favor lightweight, nourishing products for hair and skin. My beauty approach is minimalistic and functional, perfectly aligned with my active, artistic lifestyle.
Namita Nayyar:
You use movement and art to empower women. Can you share a specific example of how you combine these elements, perhaps in a workshop or personal project? Does your artistic practice influence how you view your body as an athlete and model?
Giada Folcia:
Through workshops and artistic projects, I encourage women to move and express themselves. For example, in a dance and painting workshop, participants use their bodies as creative tools, boosting self-confidence and awareness. Art also shapes how I view my body as both an athlete and a model—a tool for expression, not only performance.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the origin of your charitable project, “Supereroi per voi.” What inspired you to visit pediatric hospitals as Wonder Woman? What has been the most impactful or memorable moment from your visits with the children and their families? How has this philanthropic work changed your perspective on strength, courage, and the role of public figures?
Giada Folcia:
“Supereroi per voi” was born from a desire to bring joy to children in hospitals. Dressing as Wonder Woman is symbolic: a reminder of hope, strength, and fun. Every smile and hug leaves an unforgettable impact and reinforces the idea that courage and resilience can exist even in the toughest circumstances.
Namita Nayyar:
You have built a significant and engaged community on Instagram. What do you believe is the key to authentically connecting with your audience in the crowded wellness and lifestyle space? As an influencer, how do you navigate the pressure to present a “perfect” image while promoting a message of authenticity and holistic well-being? What has been your biggest lesson learned in building your personal brand online? Is there a strategic post or campaign you consider a turning point?
Giada Folcia:
Authenticity and consistency are crucial. I share successes but also challenges and real moments on Instagram. Posts that convey genuine experiences create deeper connections than perfectly curated content. The most important lesson is that building a brand is about creating value and trust, not only aesthetics.
Namita Nayyar:
Looking ahead, what is a dream project that would fully integrate your passions for art, fitness, and empowerment? What is your ultimate definition of empowerment for the women you inspire?
Giada Folcia:
My dream is to create an integrated project combining art, fitness, and female empowerment, offering spaces for physical and creative growth. Empowerment, for me, means recognizing your value, making conscious choices, and feeling capable of overcoming fears and limits.
Namita Nayyar:
Finally, what would you like your legacy to be—how do you hope people will remember the impact of Giada Folcia?
Giada Folcia:
I hope to be remembered as someone who inspired strength, authenticity, and positivity, encouraging people to believe in themselves and embrace their uniqueness. Thank you again for the opportunity to share my journey.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness