20 Questions with Cover Model Hanna Hallman

Hanna Hallman

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Hanna Hallman? 

I'm 22 years old and I was born and raised in Georgia. I've only been competing since August of this year, so becoming a pro so soon all still seems so much like a dream to me, which I feel like has helped me push forward in my fitness career. Those qualities have also helped me stay consistent and positive despite all the negativity in this world.   Knowing that I inspire other people is beyond heartwarming and means more to me that any trophy or title ever will. 

2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?

My mom is, without a doubt, my #1 fan. Never in my life has she even came close to doubting me and I could never thank her enough for that. She really is a living, breathing angel. I have a little sister, who has my heart wrapped around her finger. I would do absolutely anything in this world for her. My two chihuahuas, Nacho and Loui, are my sunshines. I also have three of the best friends and supporters I could ever hope for. Aleysha, Domenic and Jeramy play a huge role in who I am and where I am today. Their unconditional love and support means more to me than words can express. My posing coach, Steve Payne, has probably made more of an impact on my life than he or anyone else knows. This man, without a doubt, believed in me just as much if not more than I believed in myself from the moment we met. Any time I started to doubt myself whatsoever, he was there to wake me up and make me remember I was on a mission and that giving up or losing faith was and never will be an option. Not only can he pose better than any competitor ever to step on a stage, but he's also one of the most caring and amazing friends I could ever hoped to have had the pleasure meet.

3) How did you start competing in physique?

My first show ever was the NPC Coastal in August 2013, where I actually competed in the figure division. I ended up still placing in the top 5, but the judges told me I was crazy for not going with physique from the start. I was new to all of this at that time, so I didn't know which division I was fit for. Steve Payne found me for the first time at that show and turned me into a physique competitor not even a week later. It was the best decision I ever made!


4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?

I love the hard, chiseled look while still maintaining a feminine physique when it comes to muscularity and conditioning for the women's physique division. In my opinion, conditioning wins shows at the national level. 


5)  What is your idea of what judges want in a physique competitor? Do you think judges are clear enough with competitors about how they want you on stage? It seems in Europe they are very clear unlike in the USA and now in Canada things are confusing.

I think the judges want a feminine, muscular, yet still appealing to the eye, physique in a physique competitor. Often times, women in this division get so focused on getting big and then they get too big and appear to belong in the body building class. There is a fine line between the two divisions, yet there is still a line. I feel like the judges make it more clear in what they want in a women's physique competitor in the US more so than the other divisions such as bikini and figure, which seem to differ from state to state. 


6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!

I am definitely focusing on my back, biceps, and quads during my off season.  I'm the type of person who isn't easily satisfied and believes there is ALWAYS room for improvement. The moment you stop improving or making yourself better is the very moment you give someone the opportunity to catch up to you. I never settle. 

Hanna Hallman

7) What is your typical training routine in the gym (per day, include sets and reps!) How much cardio do you do before a show?

I try to train legs and back twice a week, since those are the biggest muscle groups in the body. My sets and reps differ, based on if I'm going heavy or focusing on the squeeze. I probably do too much cardio before a show, so I will probably tone that down this coming up season. My favorite type of cardio is the stair master or the bike. 


8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)

Believe it or not, I eat A LOT of food. My metabolism is super fast. My diet changes by the day 1 week before a show, based on how I am looking and filling out at that point. 


9) How do you go about dropping your water before the day of the show? How much water do you drink the day of the show. Please be specific.

I slowly taper down my water intake throughout the week, 1 week before the show. I start with 2 and a half gallons and drop it all the way down to 8 oz. 


10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?
The person staring back at me when I look I the mirror is what motivates me to train, diet and compete. I am in constant competition with no one but myself. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone in any way, shape or form. I just aim to improve and to be better than I was yesterday. I've always looked up to Dana Linn Bailey and I still can't believe I will be sharing the stage with her in the near future. 

11) Please tell us an interesting experience you had at a show recently, be it a fun thing or something rather not so fun?

When I went on stage at Nationals this year to do my posing routine, my music didn't play. It was all scratchy and I could barely hear it, but I started and went through my routine anyway. The crowd went along with it and applauded and yelled throughout the whole thing, which was an amazing feeling. The music decided to start playing as soon as I hit my back double biceps and it was smooth sailing from then on. 

12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed? 

I wish it was more affordable. Between the cost of the food for the proper diet, the competition suit, the tan before the show, registration fees, travel fees, supplement cost, etc. It really adds up. 

Hanna Hallman

13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?

The hardest challenge for me to overcome has been learning (the hard way) that if helping or loving someone brings negativity to my life, it's okay to help them by praying for them and loving them from a distance. Sometimes people are brought into your life only to teach you a lesson, not to stay for long. I've learned to associate myself with people that inspire me, challenge me to rise higher and those who make me better. Time is too valuable to waste on people who don't add to your growth. 


14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...

Nope. What I had been doing in the past worked for me, so I just stuck with the same prep I used for my previous contests. 

15) What do you think of bikini division?
I personally think the bikini division is the most difficult division for female competitors. What the judges look for in bikini competitors changes so frequently, it's very difficult to figure out if they are looking for a hard or soft look. 


16) What are your favorite foods to eat right after you compete on a Saturday night?

I'm normally exhausted the night after I compete, so I usually curve my cravings with a Quest bar and save my huge blowout meal for Ihop the morning after. Stacks and stacks of pancakes! 

17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?

I was raised to work hard but always remain humble and that has carried me very far in life so far. 


18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?

In high school I played every sport available to me: softball, basketball, tennis, golf, cheerleading and track. 

Hanna Hallman

19) What is a typical day in the life of Hanna Hallman? From waking up to until going to bed?
Wake up at 5 am for cardio, come back home and eat breakfast, shower and get ready to go to my daily class (with all my meals packed for the day), hit the weights, go to the grocery store, come back home to meal prep for the next few days, go to work at Taco Mac for 6-8 hours, come home and go to sleep to wake up and do it all over again. 


20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?

I am currently finishing up my Exercise Science degree at Kennesaw State University.  I also work at Taco Mac Sports Grill as a waitress. 

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