In a world where strength is often measured by how much we can endure, Victoria Cuore’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. Once a survivor of unimaginable trauma, her journey has blossomed into a beacon of hope. What began as one woman’s fight to reclaim her life from the clutches of domestic violence has evolved into A Contagious Smile, an online sanctuary where people from all walks of life come to heal, grow, and rebuild. This platform is driven by a mission to support people through compassion, empathy, and lived experience.
The journey to creating A Contagious Smile was born from real pain. Victoria Cuore, a woman left physically scarred after more than 100 surgeries and the amputation of her left arm, could have let the brutality of her past define her. But instead, she chose to redefine herself — not only for her own sake but for the countless others suffering in silence, just as she had. What could have been the end of her story became the beginning of something much greater.
Her experience led her to create a space for others who were trying to find their way back from trauma, grief, addiction, or loss. From that vision emerged A Contagious Smile, a platform dedicated to helping people heal with the tools, support, and understanding they need. “You have survived 100% of your worst days. That tiny light within you, it can start a wildfire. And we are here to walk with you every step of the way,” Victoria says. This philosophy is woven into every course, every lesson, and every interaction at A Contagious Smile.
From Survival to Service
A Contagious Smile was not built out of a desire for recognition or financial gain. It was born from the deep, personal experience of someone who has walked through the fire and emerged stronger. Every course offered through the A Contagious Smile Academy is crafted by someone who has experienced the hardships they teach about, not by someone reading from a textbook. The academy’s trauma-informed curriculum offers practical, real-world tools for healing, whether it’s for survivors of abuse, veterans, special needs families, or those recovering from addiction, trauma, or grief.
The Safe Haven Phoenix collection, for example, was designed to help survivors of abuse find their strength and reclaim their lives. Similarly, Valor Circle offers a dedicated space for veterans adjusting to civilian life, providing them with tools to rebuild their sense of purpose. Limitless Recovery is an inclusive program for anyone healing from addiction, trauma, or loss, including young people who may feel invisible in their pain.
At the heart of A Contagious Smile is a deeply compassionate approach that permeates everything they do. For those raising children with special needs, the Stucco Squad offers not only resources but also pride and connection for both kids and parents alike. “After years of feeling invisible and exhausted as the parent of a medically complex child, Victoria gave me something I forgot I deserved, hope,” says Lisa, the mother of a special needs child. “The Stucco Squad didn’t just help my son feel proud of who he is; it helped me feel like I wasn’t failing him.”
An Academy for All, A Family at Its Core
At the very core of A Contagious Smile and its Academy is our family, not just in name, but in the heartbeat of everything we stand for. This journey began with Faith and me, and over a decade later, it has evolved to include my husband, Michael, a proud veteran and former law enforcement officer, and our fearless daughter, Faith, whose strength and spirit inspire everything we do. Born with special needs and a warrior’s heart, Faith has not only endured more than most, but she has also given back more than many. She’s authored and published five heartfelt books to comfort and empower other children facing hospital stays, surgeries, and the unknown. Her courage lights the way for so many.
We’ve lived through trauma. We’ve faced more surgeries than we can count. But through every storm, we stood hand in hand — not just surviving, but rising together. This isn’t a business, and it’s not just how we live — it’s our calling. Every lesson we teach, every course we create, comes straight from our lived experience. We’re here because we know what it’s like to feel alone — and we’re determined to make sure no one else ever has to. Because at the heart of everything we do… is family.
One of the things that sets A Contagious Smile apart is its focus on meeting people where they are. Unlike other platforms offering generic advice or resources, every course and lesson is based on real, lived experience. “We don’t teach from textbooks, we teach from the trenches,” says Victoria. “Every course in this academy is soaked in lived experience and built with empathy.”
Impact Over Income: A Mission Without Boundaries
The success of A Contagious Smile has never come from financial gain—it’s come from grit, heart, and an unshakable commitment to making a difference. Every course, podcast episode, and outreach effort has been personally funded by Victoria and Michael. They’ve scraped by, often sacrificing their own comfort just to keep the doors open and the mission alive—because walking away simply isn’t an option when lives are on the line.
A Contagious Smile offers free and low-cost courses because healing should never come with a price tag. No one is ever turned away, regardless of their financial situation. This isn’t just a program—it’s a lifeline for those who’ve been overlooked, unheard, or forgotten. The community they’ve built stands united in compassion, strength, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance.
But to keep going, they need help.
If this mission speaks to you, we ask for your support, whether through sponsorships, donations, or simply sharing our message. Every dollar helps us reach one more person who desperately needs hope, healing, and a reason to keep going. Together, we can make sure A Contagious Smile continues to change lives—one heart at a time.
Victoria and Michael Cuore host the globally ranked podcast, A Contagious Smile, where millions of listeners gather to hear the raw, unfiltered truths behind survival, resilience, and triumph. With deeply personal stories, candid interviews, and moments of powerful vulnerability, this isn’t just a podcast—it’s a lifeline for survivors, special needs families, veterans, and anyone facing life’s toughest battles.
A Contagious Smile has also caught the attention of Hollywood. Many of entertainment’s most beloved names have appeared on the show, standing in solidarity with its mission. Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton recently appeared on Teen Talk, the teen-led segment hosted by Faith Cuore—Victoria and Michael’s inspiring daughter—where young voices are heard, valued, and uplifted. In an unforgettable moment, Faith interviewed Blue Bloods star Abigail Hawk from her ICU hospital bed, shortly after undergoing life-saving surgery.
The show has been supported by a remarkable lineup of guests including Carson Kressley, Ray Lewis, Lou Diamond Phillips, Malcolm Goodwin, Bellamy Young, Lisa Leslie, and many more. Each brings their heart, their support, and their voice to this global movement of healing, strength, and unstoppable hope.
“I’ve been through years of therapy, but it was Victoria’s voice, her honesty, her story, her books, OMG, HER BOOKS, that actually reached me,” says Sasha, a survivor of domestic violence. “She didn’t talk down to me. She didn’t offer fluff. She walked beside me, lesson by lesson, like someone who knew what this pain felt like. She changed my life. Full stop.”
A Contagious Smile has been recognized by major media outlets such as FOX, NBC, CBS, Women’s Week, and Insider Weekly. In 2025, Victoria Cuore was honored with an award for her work as a Transformative Trauma Advocate for Domestic Violence. But the true measure of the organization’s success isn’t in the accolades; it’s in the lives that have been changed. Every day, the academy empowers people to rebuild their lives, reclaim their voices, and step into a future filled with possibility.
A Legacy of Hope
The story of A Contagious Smile is not just about survival; it’s about transformation. Victoria’s painful past has fueled a movement that has already touched thousands of lives. Her voice, forged in the depths of struggle, has become a beacon of hope for those who need it most.
At A Contagious Smile, the message is clear: “Healing isn’t linear. Sometimes, it begins with a tear. Other times, with laughter. But it always begins with knowing you’re not alone.” This message resonates through everything Victoria and her team create, reminding every person that no matter how dark their past, their future can be filled with light.
As Victoria puts it, “People don’t need to be saved. They need to be seen, heard, and empowered. That’s what A Contagious Smile is.”
If you or someone you know is on a journey of healing, transformation, or empowerment, A Contagious Smile offers more than just resources. It offers a community, a family, and a powerful reminder that hope is never out of reach.
For more information about A Contagious Smile and A Contagious Smile Academy, visit their website, or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
