RACHEL HENNECK
(She/They)
CLASS INSTRUCTOR
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WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
I just moved to Portland to build a great life with my partner, having spent the last 15 years in Seattle. I was born and grew up in Olympia and Port Angeles, WA.
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WHAT MAKES YOUR CLASS SO AWESOME?
I believe I can make hard things accessible, and a lot of that comes from an understanding of the body that balances individualization and "softer" things like mobility work as much as key strength-based exercises and the power of a group of people doing something cool together!
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WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE?
Straightforward, supportive, responsive - and we will laugh together.
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WHAT'S THAT EXTRA SPECIAL SAUCE YOU POUR ON ALL OF YOUR CLASSES!?Hmmmm...is it my unexpected playlist choices? Or trivial knowledge about physiological processes that inform why we're doing what we're doing?
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IS THERE A SPECIFIC MOMENT THAT GOT YOU INTO FITNESS? GUSH ABOUT IT PLEASE!
Never a sports kid, I zoomed through school, and upon hitting age 19 with my bachelor's degree and getting a job in a medical setting, I saw one possible path for my future in my coworkers: doctors and nurses making lifestyle choices that set them up for chronic health problems, fully and admittedly knowing better. I decided to try going to the gym, and chose the least intimidating group fitness option, which gradually led to me trying all the classes and being recruited to teach step aerobics myself, and gradually led to me being full-time in personal training and group fitness by age 30.
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WHEN YOU'RE NOT FITNESSING, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
Trying to nap, gorging on mental and physical health podcasts during long walks, being an auntie, being a partner, camping, backpacking, going to local shows, mining for precious quality time with my friends.
WHEN YOU'RE FEELING DOWN, WHAT'S ONE THING YOU SAY TO YOURSELF TO GET YOU GOING? "I know you're tired, but let's just do a little bit right."
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WHAT QUOTE IS MOST LIKELY TO COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH DURING A CLASS?
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Or: "Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should."