Member Spotlight — Hannah Bangel

Tell us a little about yourself and what got you on the path to CrossFit and Nutrition…

After eating and drinking my way through Australia for 9 months after undergrad, I came back to the states a tad heavier than I was when I left, so I needed something to whip me back into shape. A friend of mine was a CrossFit coach at the time, so I started doing private sessions with her, and finally she convinced me to start going to classes. I’ve been going on and off ever since. While trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I became interested in fitness and nutrition. I took a course through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, which started my own journey into diet and exercise. I took a break from CrossFit and got into Pilates. I wanted to learn more about how the body works and moves so I took a comprehensive Pilates teacher training. Half my class were Physical Therapists and that got me intrigued, so I looked into going back to school for Physical Therapy and 4 years later, here I am!

What keeps you coming back each day?

I’m not a competitive person but when I’m able to push myself further than I think I can, that keeps me coming back for more.

How has your lifestyle changed since starting at CFJI?

I’ve always focused on one thing at a time, nutrition or exercise, and since starting CFJI and doing the Life Challenges I’m finally putting the 2 together.

How does CrossFit help with Physical Therapy and vice versa?

CrossFit has shown me that lifting heavy things can be for everyone.

What is your favorite thing about working out with your fiancé, Matt, and how have you bonded at the gym?

Seeing Matt progress and able to do things one day that he couldn’t before. Matt gets so stoked about the small things as much as the bigs things and that makes me smile. Being able to push ourselves together has helped us bond in the gym and outside the gym.