Tara Costa first caught our hearts during The Biggest Loser season 7, and she’s gone on to do some great things, including training for her first Ironman. Her favorite part of the grueling race? “It’s definitely the camaraderie amongst the athletes. Ever since the first race I participated in, I realized how giving and inspiring all the athletes are,” Costa said. “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to participate and be pushed by elite athletes.”
If you would have told her a few years ago she’d be competing with world class athletes, Costa wouldn’t have believed it. She sees the race as a testament to how far she’s come. “I also love when I see the finish line. Each time I have the finish line in sight, I realize that I am doing something that I would never have been able to do years back. The finish line reminds me of how far I have come and how you can do anything you set your mind to do.”
Aside from continuing to push herself physically, Costa’s been hard at work creating her own foundation Kicks4Kids. This program, designed to supply under privileged children with new sneakers and a playbook, will provide the child different exercise games/activities to help them achieve the daily 60 minutes of exercise that is currently recommended. Kicks4Kids is set to launch in Hawaii in October, coinciding with the Ford Ironman World Championship that Costa will run.
When asked about the foundation, Costa told me, “As a way to give back and to keep my passion for helping others alive – the foundation was born. The Inspire Change Foundation allows me to encourage others in the fight with the same battles I fought. I am privileged to have the opportunity to inspire others and wish to continue being a resource and advocate for living a healthy lifestyle.”
She continued, “I’d like my foundation to be the source of inspiration that anyone can seek. When someone tells me that I was able to inspire them, it is the greatest feeling in the world and I want to use the foundation as a vehicle to continue to inspire others.”
In order to grow the Kicks4Kids program, Tara has created the Inspire Change! Raffle. This fantastic raffle of just 10,000 tickets will close on September 23. Each $25 raffle ticket enters you into seven drawings for prizes. The prize list is full of great items. The grand prize alone is worth buying at least one raffle ticket for.
The Grand Prize winner will be awarded a VIP trip for 2 to Austin, TX for the Ride for the Roses event hosted by Lance Armstrong himself and his LiveSTRONG Foundation. Ride for the Roses weekend takes place October 15th-17th, 2024. The Grand Prize winner will receive airfare and accommodations for the race, all entrance fees, private rides and special meetings with both Lance Armstrong and Tara Costa.
“I cannot wait to give someone the LiveSTRONG Grand Prize,” Costa gushed. “The opportunity to meet Lance Armstrong and have a private ride with him is an incredible gift. Lance Armstrong is known for his dedication and perseverance and I am sure that the individual who wins this package will leave this trip feeling inspired and ready to accomplish any goal that they might have!”
Supporting prizes include entry into the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, a week at The Biggest Loser’s California or Utah ranch, an Orlando vacation, a Trek bike package or gym and kickboxing memberships.
Purchasing one raffle ticket enters you into a drawing for all seven prizes. For more information on the raffle, visit www.tararaffle.com. The Inspire Change Foundation Raffle closes at 11am CST on September 23, 2024.