Meet Trainer Hattie!

Here’s some fun facts about Trainer Hattie-

How did you know you wanted to become a personal trainer?

In my early 30’s I noticed my body changing from 10 years of desk work. I had constant back pain, my hip flexors were overactive and tight, my glutes were weak, my dominant arm and shoulder were in constant tension and pain, and I felt unhealthy and out of shape. I started to receive bodywork to help with my aches and pains and I began my yoga teacher training program, which quickly spurred me into my personal training program. I had a complete career change and haven’t looked back since!

What is one exercise you can’t live without?

I love single-leg or double-leg reclined leg downs. When done correctly, by keeping the low back grounded, this exercise is amazing for strengthening the iliopsoas, rectus abdominus, and deeper, corseting core muscles.

What’s your favorite thing to coach a client through?

I love coaching Turkish Get Ups! I learned the proper way to complete this total body exercise in my personal training program, and I was in love right away. The level of detail required to complete the TGU with good form and posture makes my heart just melt (for those of you who know me well, that might be the thing I focus on the most in my training)!

What is your best advice for someone just starting their fitness journey?

Consistency! Consistency is the best thing you can do. Trying to do a little something everyday or at least one round of your workout routine is better than not doing anything at all. When you start to find your body and mind enjoying the habit of movement you will naturally want to seek out more - it’s just a chemical thing :) So remind yourself to be consistent in small ways until you get over the hard hurdle of the first few weeks of habit formation.

What hobbies do you enjoy outside of the gym?

I like the typical PNW activities of hiking and backpacking during the summer, yoga as much as possible, and ideally I’d love to swim in the ocean everyday (maybe just a warmer ocean with the sun always shinning). I grew up in a small coastal town in Maryland, so I feel deeply connected to the water!

What would you be doing if you weren’t a personal trainer?

I would most likely continue in my past career of children’s mental health research, but perhaps take on a different role that doesn’t require as much sitting. I love to talk to people in person and be out in the community. When I was growing up I wanted to be a pediatrician - I really loved kids - so I would want to do something related to helping children.

What’s the main thing you miss about being in the gym during quarantine?

I miss seeing everyone’s faces as they come in and out of the gym. I love talking to people at the desk and getting to know our BHC community members. I can’t wait to be able to smile at everyone again :)

What has been your favorite quarantine activity?

I’ve recently stumbled on some great entertainment for myself and my cats. I have two older cats and I felt like they needed a bit more stimulation so I started to play these cat videos of birds and squirrels eating seeds in nature. There are some great ones that are 8 hours long on YouTube, and the relaxing nature sounds have been nice to have on in the background. I’m loving watching them track the animals and then get close to the screen and walk behind the tv to try and find them - it is so cute and quickly filling up my camera space :)