NBC has announced the cast of STRONG, a new reality fitness competition series that will premiere Wednesday, April 13 at 9PM ET/PT.
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The network will first air back-to-back episodes of STRONG on April 13 from 9-11PM ET/PT preceded by a live The Voice broadcast. STRONG will then move to its regular timeslot of 8-9PM ET/PT beginning Thursday, April 14.
STRONG -- which NBC spelling in all capital letters -- will feature 10 experienced trainers paired with 10 worthy trainees from around the country.
As previously announced, sports announcer, model and actress Gabrielle Reece will serve as host.
STRONG will be about contestants looking to achieve a healthy balance between mind and body all the while getting into shape physically and emotionally. In every episode, each team -- one trainer and one contestant -- will work together and compete in epic physical challenges.
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After a series of challenges, two teams will head to the "Elimination Tower," where they must battle in a giant four-story monolith, putting muscle strength and determination to the test. Each week, one team will be eliminated until one winning team remains, who will walk away with a cash prize of up to $500,000 based on their overall performance as well as a drastic physical transformation.
STRONG is being produced by 25/7 Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television. Dave Broome from The Biggest Loser, actor Sylvester Stallone, Kevin King Templeton, and Holly Wofford from American Ninja Warrior are serving as executive producers.
The team pairings won't be revealed until the show's April 13 broadcast, however, below is a list of the STRONG's individual trainers and trainees as well as their NBC-supplied descriptions:
TRAINERS
- Leyon Azubuike, a 29-year-old from Santa Monica, CA
Azubuike is a professional strength and conditioning coach based at Gloveworx. His unique training style incorporates his boxing expertise, which he believes creates lean muscle that is especially effective for women.
- Todd Durkin, a 44-year-old from San Diego, CA
Durkin is an internationally recognized personal trainer; strength, speed and conditioning coach; author and speaker. He currently owns and operators Fitness Quest 10, a nationally recognized gym.
- Ky Evans, a 43-year-old from Marina del Rey, CA
Evans is a trained ballet dancer-turned-scientist. He has built an impressive clientele that includes television and film personalities, professional athletes and Olympians and has been featured in more than 40 fitness publications.
- Drew Logan, a 41-year-old from Manhattan Beach, CA
Logan is a 21-year fitness veteran, nutrition expert, celebrity trainer and spokesperson for the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. His personal training business includes well-known names in pop and country music, pro sports, television and modeling.
- Mathew Miller, a 34-year-old from Las Vegas, NV
Miller has been the strength and conditioning coach for the acclaimed Las Vegas acrobatic water show "Le Reve" for the past eight years. His job is to keep the performers in top shape and show ready all year long for two performances per night five nights a week.
- Wesley Okerson, a 37-year-old from Los Angeles, CA
A 20-year fitness veteran, Okerson is a busy personal trainer with a high-profile client roster that has included Gerard Butler and Katie Holmes.
- Adam Von Rothfelder, a 33-year-old from Milwaukee, WI
A former MMA fighter, Rothfelder currently owns CoMo, Wisconsin's first strength training and indoor Parkour facility.
- Chris Ryan, a 35-year-old from New York, NY
Ryan is one of New York's most sought-after personal trainers, whose clients are top business leaders. As an international fitness model, Ryan has also graced the covers of several fitness magazines, including Men's Health, Men's Fitness, GQ and others.
- Dan Wells, a 41-year-old from Studio City, CA
Wells is the owner of the popular CrossFit Horsepower gyms throughout Los Angeles. He has been at the forefront of this new wave of fitness training and his gyms are now home to hundreds of clients, including many well-known celebrities.
- Bennie Wylie, a 39-year-old from Tuscola, TX
As a former strength and conditioning coach at Texas Tech University and the University of Tennessee, Wylie has worked with some of the best and brightest athletes in the country. Currently, he is a strength and conditioning coach based on Abilene, TX.
TRAINEES
- Nicole Bentley, a 25-year-old from Los Angeles, CA
After having watched her mother battle cancer, Bentley is motivated to start fresh, become as strong as her mother and be a positive role model for her younger sister.
- Devon Cassidy, a 24-year-old from Allston, MA
Cassidy is a determined young professional who is looking to get her life on track through fitness.
- Victoria Castillo, a 32-year-old from Santa Ana, CA
As a wedding photographer, Castillo has become inspired by taking photos of beautiful brides and is determined to look as fit as the women she photographs.
- Giovanna Cicerchia, a 38-year-old from Wyckoff, NJ
A stay-at-home mom with three beautiful children, Cicerchia is looking to take control of her health and make a big change in her routine.
- Claudia "CC" Collazo, a 40-year-old from Teaneck, NJ
Collazo is a devoted wife and mom of two teenage daughters who is looking for this opportunity to get in the best shape possible.
- Brittany Harrell-Miller, a 25-year-old from Lawrence, KS
Harrell is a high-energy eighth grade algebra teacher with a passion for numbers, power tumbling and trampoline, as well as competitive cheerleading.
- Jasmine Loveless,a 30-year-old from West Hollywood, CA
A busy professional bookkeeper who also cares for her mother, Loveless recently turned 30 and is looking to get in shape, build her confidence and find love for the first time.
- Jill May, a 35-year-old from Willmar, MN
May is an energetic mother of four children whose life has been focused around her family. She is striving to get back on track and become an inspiration for her children and other busy moms, demonstrating there is always time to change and improve, no matter the circumstances.
- Sarah Miller, a 29-year-old from Chicago, IL
Miller is a freelance writer looking forward to getting strong for herself to reach her true potential and be an independent woman.
- Mahogany Brown Roberts, a 38-year-old from Nashville, TN
Roberts is a young mom who plans to regain her healthy physique and positive attitude.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski