When Washington native Hannah Davis left North Carolina for New York City, she didn’t know that her two passions — fitness and acting — would catapult her onto the national fitness stage.

But seven years later, the Washington High School graduate is one of five contestants vying to be the next fitness star on the online show “Fit or Flop.”

Davis is the owner of Gotham Personal Training, an independent personal-training company with a staff of trainers and a list of places where they train in New York City, from clients’ homes to fitness centers that welcome independent trainers. She’s also a contributor to publications and books like Women’s Health Magazine, Cosmopolitan and the book “Shape Up Shortcuts.”

While Davis earned a drama degree from University of North Carolina-Greensboro, her natural affinity for healthful living led her to just as many nutrition and sports-science classes in college. Since graduating, fitness has turned into a vocation.

“I never really thought I would make a career out of it,” Davis said. “When I got to New York and got my first 9-to-5 desk job, which was really all day — nine-to-fivers are usually 12- to 15-hour jobs — I saw my quality of life diminish so quickly because I wasn’t having time to work out myself.”

So Davis quit her job and took a three-month personal training course at New York City’s Academy of Personal Training. She hasn’t looked back since. When recruiters for “Flip or Flop” contacted her, she decided to sign on and is now a contestant in Episode 3 of the online reality series that features people with a passion for fitness and a dream to reach higher.

“It’s gone full circle — my drama degree has really come in handy,” she said.

After several rounds of auditions, Davis is poised to make it to the show’s finals, but audience support is part of that bump up to the next level. As with televised reality contests, viewers of the online broadcast are asked to cast their votes for the next fitness star. Davis said she’s counting on support from her hometown — and it’s not unwarranted, as she has five years of full-time training under her belt, a large New York City following and a seat on Cosmopolitan magazine’s advisory panel as its fitness expert.

“I do think I’m the most knowledgeable,” Davis said, of the “Fit or Flop” competition.

Davis is hoping to parlay that knowledge to a win on the show and a broader audience, allowing her to market her brand, Body by Hannah.

“The more of a following I can get, the more interest there will be in having me on television shows. I want to have a big platform to preach what I believe in so strongly: good health through exercise and nutrition improves your quality of life substantially. Just in a nutshell,” Davis laughed.

As for those who made fitness and weight-loss resolutions for the new year, Davis has this advice: “One day at a time. … It’s about making small changes. Choose one small thing to master, master it, then move on to something else.”

Viewers can watch and vote for their favorite contestants on Episode 3 of “Fit or Flop” through the month of January at www.fitorflop.com. Viewers are allowed to vote up to one time per day.