Faced with her first diagnosis of breast cancer, fitness leader Ilaria Montagnani must embody her philosophy that Exercise Makes You Stronger For Life as never before.
THE FILM
STRONGER FOR LIFE TRAILER
An internationally-recognized fitness expert in peak physical condition, Ilaria Montagnani was trained to conquer the challenges she faced in life.
In August 2016, Ilaria Montagnani was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, for most victims, breast cancer is no longer a fatal disease. For an athlete such as Ilaria, it was threatening to not only her ability to work and her livelihood, but also her passion and the motivation of her life.
Stronger for Life documents Ilaria’s fight against this disease and how she embodies her philosophy that has been the inspiration for so many – how a disciplined commitment to strengthening our bodies fortifies our hearts and minds, too; one that reminds us that while life can be hard, we can be strong.
WATCH THE FILM
ABOUT ILARIA
Ilaria Montagnani is an internationally acclaimed fitness expert and martial artist, trained in Karate and laido, Japanese sword training.
Her fitness philosophy: push physical limits to build mental and physical strength, is based on her martial arts background and love of strength training.
Born and raised in Florence, Italy, Ilaria developed a passion for fitness from a young age. Her journey led her to New York City, where she pursued her first black belt in Shorinjiryu Karate. Demonstrating her commitment to martial arts, she continued to train Iaido, Japanese sword training, while developing her passion for strength training.
Ilaria found a creative way to bridge the gap between martial arts and group fitness by creating programs such as Powerstrike Kickboxing, Atletica and Forza – a sword training class aptly named after the Italian word for ‘strength’.
In an industry where fitness trends come and go, her programs have remained successful over the years because they are more than just a series of exercises. They teach physical discipline that inspires mental strength, inspiring and training people to become STRONGER FOR LIFE.
Ilaria’s breast cancer returned in 2024, but she once again was able to recover and return to what she loves the most – being physical. Now a two-time cancer survivor, Ilaria continues her 25+ year commitment to health and fitness and the mission to train and inspire people all over the world to push themselves beyond what they think possible.
Learn more about Ilaria.
“When you develop the discipline to train your body and find the determination to do it even when it’s hard, when it’s uncomfortable, and you push past that, you develop the mental strength to face life’s challenges. Exercise makes you stronger for life.”
Ilaria Montagnani
FILMMAKERS
STEPHANIE GAWEDA
EDITOR
Stephanie Gaweda is a cinematographer, producer, editor, bonafide camera junkie, admirer of waterfalls. She received her first camera at the age of nine, and from floppy disks to film, her passion grew from there. Stephanie has worked on commercials, music videos, and narrative films but her real passion is in documentary and video journalism.
She loves to create change through her camera lens.
FEDERICO ROZENVIT
CONSULTING EDITOR
Federico G. Rosenzvit is a multi Emmy nominated and award winning editor. His work has screened in festivals like Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Telluride and Sundance. He has worked on Features, Documentaries and Doc series for outlets like National Geographic, BBC, HBO, Showtime, CNN Films, Sundance Selects, Amazon and Netflix. He has worked with Oscar winning and Oscar nominated directors Louie Psihoyos (The Cove), Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim (The Square), Steven Cantor (What Remains) and his work has been produced by Hollywood heavy-weights like James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger and David Gordon Green.
VICKI SUFIAN
CONSULTING PRODUCER
Emmy award winner Vicki Sufian worked as a writer, director, producer, senior producer and executive producer of documentaries, magazine shows and studio programs at CBS News, NBC News, ABC News, CNN and PBS. In addition, she was senior producer of documentaries at MSNBC for over 14 years. Her awards include an Emmy for outstanding documentary, three Emmy nominations, a Ciné Golden Eagle, a duPont Columbia Silver Baton and a Gracie award.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Noriko Sugiura is an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in New York. As a filmmaker, Noriko has worked on projects for such distinguished organizations at The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice, Autism Speaks and the Ministry of Education in Japan.
CAMERA PERSONS
To our dedicated cameramen and camerawomen: Giovanni Ferlito, Erika Hearn, Benjamin Sidney, Uladzimir Taukachou, Delphine Batier and Nicola Ciccarelli
SPECIAL THANKS
COMMUNITY
We would not have made it this far without the Powerstrike community as well as family and friends who have given such generous support.
CONTACT
If you’d like to learn more about the film please contact us.
