Ray Hansen was hand-picked by Six Degrees’ owner Emily Easton to design and teach Six° Strength. Maybe that’s all you really need to know (Emily’s a heck of a reference!) but I reached out with a few more questions all the same!
What brought you to—and keeps you at—Six Degrees?
I’d done Pilates with Emily and trained with her in the past, and so when she reached out to me to come serve the community at Six Degrees, I was excited for the opportunity. I really appreciate how seriously Emily takes her role as an educator, and we share a commitment to putting our clients first. Now that I’ve been at the studio for a few months, I feel like that’s a connection all of us share: we want the best for this community, and we work hard to educate as we train.
How has your experience as a student translated into being a teacher?
Going from trainee to teacher is invaluable. I can relate to insecurities, to trying to understand what the trainer is asking me and my body to do, and to trying to find trust with my trainer. I still go to a trainer myself. It helps remind me to listen to clients carefully and effectively explain what I’m asking and teaching them to do.
What are three goals you have right now?
I discovered years ago that my happiness is contingent on my relationships, not my bank account. So, my goals in life are to enhance others’ quality of life with fitness, humor, and heart-to-heart communications. I want to enjoy every moment and keep becoming a more understanding and giving person every day. I want to dedicate time to my wife, my two children, and my friends.
How do you incorporate “wellness” into your daily life?
For me, spirituality comes first. I can’t give away something I don’t possess. I’m constantly working on being a better husband, father, friend, and trainer.
Next, I value nutrition. If I want my body to perform, I must fuel it properly. I still bathe in the glory of pizza, just not every day!
Third, I pay attention to my physical well-being. I want to be able to do everything I can with my wife and kids for as long as I can, so a healthy body is important.