Hannah Withers: Personal Training and Foundations

Education & Certifications

Bachelor’s & Master’s Degree in Social Work
ISSA Certified Personal Trainer
ISSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor
ISSA Certified Powerlifting Instructor
First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified

Bio & Experience

As a childhood cancer survivor and social worker, I am very passionate about health and wellness, particularly when it comes to finding holistic ways to live a long and healthy life and finding natural forms of stress and emotional relief. I began my fitness journey as a dancer, which I did full-force from the age of two through my Junior year of college, and I am now an avid powerlifter, CrossFiter, and yogi, all of which I discovered during high school. These particular practices have stuck with me for so long for the very reason that they have helped me realize my true strength, power, and potential, and to grow and transform into the the person I am today, all of which was possible because of how these practices challenged me to look past my own fears and anxieties around doing things that I wasn’t comfortable with so that I could access all of the unlimited potential within me, and it is my goal in life to help others realize their true potential just as Powerlifting, CrossFit, Yoga, and dance have done for me!

Since starting my journey as a Personal Trainer in April of 2021, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals and clients, from those who are just looking to improve their general fitness to trained athletes looking to improve their strength and endurance for a specific sport, as well as to obtain additional certifications in both Powerlifting and Group Exercise Instruction.

Your Certifications

About Me

When I’m not in the gym or training clients, I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling to new places, camping, hiking, watching movies and my favorite TV show Impractical Jokers with my husband, and spending time with my two cats Sage and Taz!

Which superhero character would you be?

Wonder Woman because she draws her power from her love for humanity and the belief that there is still good in this world!

What is your favorite Holiday?

It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and Christmas because they both provide me with the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends!

What song(s) can you listen to on repeat?

Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat! (I may be biased since this is my wedding song ha ha)

What would be your last meal?

Annie’s White Cheddar Shells Mac n’ Cheese!

What are you unusually good at doing?

Coming up with catchy names and titles for things!

Education & Fitness Certifications

Bachelor’s of Science – Political Science from East Stroudsburg University
Master of Art- Higher Education Administration from Rowan University
CrossFit Level 1 Certification
First Aid, CPR, and AED Certified

As a self proclaimed life long learner, I strive to reach greater levels of understanding of the benefits of functional movement. All in efforts to best serve the needs of my clients. My greatest joy is having a positive influence on my community through helping others improve their strength, mobility, and self-confidence. Therefore, I will always be learning and doing my part within this community.

My Passion: I aspire to help my clients channel their stress, anxiety, or general frustration into productive applications of force; resulting in improved strength, power, and mobility. And ultimately, adding longevity to their lives.

My Experience:
I am a Higher Education Professional with 10 years of experience working in college and university settings. Working in education can be stressful at times and it wasn’t until I was transitioning out of my first professional job that I noticed the toll that stress was taking on my body. I found that I was eating and drinking in excess to avoid dealing with stress and anxiety. I had reached my heaviest weight of 315lbs and was feeling lost. I didn’t want to carry the stress and anxiety from my former position into my new one.

Thankfully, a very good friend recommended CrossFit; it was love at first lift! In the first 2 years, I lost over 100lbs and gained a new community of support. Please know, weight-loss has never been my goal rather relieving stress and anxiety and feeling comfortable in my body was always at the forefront. I encourage my clients to embrace body neutrality and the concept that you can have your favorite foods and still meet your health and wellness goals.

You may or may not consider yourself athlete, but that is okay because I will always design and utilize the best programming and modalities for you.

Your Certifications

About Me

Which superhero character would you be?

Wonder Woman. She’s strong AF and always trusts her instincts.

What is your favorite Holiday?

Christmas! In Italian families we celebrate Christmas ”Natale” the day before with a traditional 7 fish dinner called Festa dei sette pesci. My entire family gathers at my parent’s house and celebrates with lots of food and there’s always a contest to see who made the best wine that year- My father & brother always tie for first place.

What song(s) can you listen to on repeat?

”I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from the Mulan soundtrack.

My family does not subscribe to traditional gender norms. My mother was the breadwinner & my dad was a stay at home father. Together, they had three children (one son and two daughters). Even though they had two daughters, my father raised three men.

”We must be swift as the coursing river
With all the force of a great typhoon
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon”

What would be your last meal?

My Dad’s homemade chili!

What are you unusually good at doing?

Soothing anxious dogs; I rescued my anxious dog (Shorty) from a kill shelter in Suffolk, VA 7 years ago and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We’ve had lots of time to figure out his quirks & triggers and once he warms up to you he’s such a sweet boy!

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