Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Hanson.
Stephanie, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My journey began when I was 10 years old. I was always small and I wanted to be strong so I asked for weights for my birthday. During high school I would go to aerobic classes before school and weight train after school. At 17 I got my first job teaching water aerobics and circuit training at a women’s only facility, I made $5 a class! I should say it was more a labor of love than a actual
Job.. a year later I had the opportunity to travel to power lifting competitions with John Inzer and Anthony Clark, 2 record holders. John Inzer in the dead lift and Anthony 805lb reverse grip bench press. They taught me a lot about the mindset behind power lifting. It’s all about strength….
I soon moved to Dallas and began coordinating fitness programs while attending UNT. In the aerobics world I worked with individuals that just wanted to relieve stress after work and just sweat.. Most were professionals or house wives striving to live a healthy balanced life. A few years later I met Paul Gardner, Owner and founder of Muscle Tech. I traveled to Body building competitions such as Arnold Classic, which again was an eye-opening experience. This world is pure looks orientated. Everything they do revolves around how vascular or developed they can be..During each opportunity I learned a lot about what and why people choose to follow a certain pattern or what they perceive as health and fitness.
During the last 10 years I’ve had the opportunity to work with 2 different NFL Team Owners as well as Professional NFL , Soccer and Hockey players. That as well is a entirely different world as far as the perception of what health and fitness means.
All of these opportunities have made it possible for me to have my company Innergy Inc. for over a decade and I still feel like I’ve just begun…
I have always been a huge advocate of education. I have done over 20 certifications and numerous continuing education courses.. I have also created a certification for a company called Xbar and presented for Sara City Conventions and Continuing Education.. My passion to serve others is what sparked IF by Innergy. A non-profit that serves communities thru education and sports currently in Nicaragua.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
For Innergy I would say my art is equipping bodies for the long haul. I work with a few doctors and try to assist in getting their patients in a balanced state. It’s been my favorite so far on this journey. I’m a problem solver so I enjoy seeing a positive change once someone learns how to tweak their diet or exercise properly… There isn’t a one size fits all so II use a combination of methods like Pilates, yoga, spinning, free weights, slide, you name it and I may incorporate parts in a program. It really depends on the client’s needs – goals- desires. My training method is to prepare people for the race of life. It’s is an endurance event, not a sprint.
Working out gave me confidence growing up. It’s also my go to stress reliever.! So many people have to take antidepressants and other life coping substances but I think health and fitness have been my saving grace. I don’t care how fast you can run or how much weight you can lift, I care about how you feel at the end of each season and how you feel when you wake up in the morning. The whole no pain no gain was never a motivating Moto for me. I think life throws enough at you that workouts shouldn’t be painful. Health to me means a positive mind, pain free body, having a full range of motion, eating an overall healthy diet, and remembering everything in moderation…
For IF my art would be developing opportunities for growth. Vision for community and connecting others. Anything you can do to make another’s life easier is a gift. I get inspired by the individuals I work with. We have a sewing school in Nicaragua named after my mother, . Escuela de Costura Mary Beth. Currently we have 22 women attending. They are making aprons which I bring back and sell here in Dallas. We work with the Las Salinas men’s baseball team. Under armor and Nokona have sponsored us with tons and tons of baseball shoes, clothing and the most amazing BASEBALL GLOVES!! One of the other super fun adventures this has lead to is working with Fenisurf. The National Surf Organization for Nicaragua. Keller’s Burger (the absolute BEST Burger in Dallas) is sponsoring one of our surfers Joel Chavez to compete in the ISA competition hoping to secure a spot in the 2020 Olympics. It will be the first time ever Surfing is recognized as a Olympic Sport. My career and friends in the fitness industry have really supported these efforts. City Surf held a fundraiser for us, Water Rower has sponsored us with Rowers, And so many other amazing people in Dallas have came along and supported these efforts . If any of you have started or ran a Non profit you know there are many many challenges yet I can’t stop…. your health is with you till your last breath, but what you do for others goes on long after…
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what quality do you feel is most helpful?
As my father told me “Do what you love and you will always SUCCEED”
Value I feel is the most helpful quality. For me I value others. Therefore, when I know I’ve helped make a positive difference in someone’s life either thru fitness or service or both then that’s SUCCESS to me!!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can come visit the studio in Dallas, or come on a trip with us to Nicaragua and participant in community events. Or you can go to www.innergyfitness.com or www.ifmoves.org
You can donate to support or start a sewing school or sponsor the National Surf Fenisurf. We are also planning to build a Dental Clinic and a new Baseball field. So, there’s a lot of things to do please join us!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.innergyfitness.com
- Phone: 214-842-9623
- Email: steph@innergyfitness.com
- Instagram: Innergyfitness
- Facebook: Inneryfitness
Image Credit:
Shana Anderson
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
