Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Hetzel.
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi! Thank you for your interest. I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Team USA Athlete. My event for Team USA is the Duathlon, a multisport event that involves a 10K run/40K bike/5K run. I also compete in the Long Distance Duathlon for the United States, which involves a 10K run/150K bike/30K run. I have been on the U.S. Team since 2012 and absolutely love representing Team USA!
I am fortunate to be able to blend my two careers: working with patients as a Physical Therapist and Personal Trainer, and being an Elite Athlete. I get to work with the human body on a daily basis, helping patients recover from injury, surgery, and setbacks while increasing their strength, fitness, mobility, and improving their overall quality of life. I have the clinical knowledge and expertise, but I also live it every day with my own training, fitness programs, and recovery that are required to compete at the highest level.
I worked in the outpatient clinic and hospital settings for many years, which was a wonderful experience. However, I realized I only worked with individuals after they were already in pain, or were injured, or were needing rehabilitation post-surgery.
I started thinking, ‘What if I could work with people before they were in pain or got injured? What if I could have met this person 5 years ago and trained them…would they be in pain or need surgery?’
That is where the concept of Team Hetzel and The Hetzel Elite Method was born. I wanted to shift the paradigm, and instead of just rehabilitating people after injuries or surgeries, I wanted to create a model based on prevention. Assess a person’s weak areas, tight areas, postural or gait abnormalities and create a training program to address these impairments and thereby prevent pain and injury.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building Team Hetzel has been a truly rewarding journey. The growth and expansion of the business have required me to improve my entrepreneurial skills. It has caused me to step outside of my comfort zone of solely being a clinician and athlete and learn business and marketing skills. However, it has been so worth it! It has been an exciting journey of growth and evolution.
Team Hetzel has built a solid reputation in Los Angeles with our clients and patients, as well as with the Doctors who trust us and refer us their patients.
My Team USA career is also intimately tied to Team Hetzel as a foundational element of the business. I have been on Team USA since 2012 for the Duathlon. I have 4 Silver Medals, 2 Bronze Medals, am a 12-time All-American, and a 12-time World Championship qualifier. However, this did not come without challenges. I had a dream ever since I was a little girl to be on the U.S. Team and despite the naysayers, despite adversity, injuries, bike crashes, concussions, I persevered against all odds. I believed in myself, I believed in my ability, and I believed in my goal.
I put in the work of the 4-hour training days and 2-a-day training sessions and worked toward my goals while navigating family, career, life, and relationships.
Adversities and setbacks have made me stronger, more resilient, and more focused to create a life and a business that was meaningful.
We’ve been impressed with Team Hetzel LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Team Hetzel provides concierge mobile Physical Therapy and Personal Training services in the Los Angeles area. Our team of licensed professionals possess the rare combination of both Physical Therapy and Personal Training expertise. Our licensed therapists perform a thorough evaluation assessing the individual’s overall strength, posture, mobility, balance, and gait. From that, we design a customized fitness and training program to meet their needs.
At Team Hetzel, we understand your time is valuable and, therefore, bring our expertise directly to you. We are a concierge mobile practice which allows us to bring the highest level of care and training right to your doorstep. Whether you’re seeking personalized fitness training to achieve your health goals or need assistance with any physical discomfort or injury, our team is here to serve you.
Our services include weight loss, strength training, injury rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation, gait analysis and training, postural analysis and correction, balance assessment and training, and rehabilitation for chronic conditions.
What makes you happy?
I absolutely love what I do as a Physical Therapist and Trainer! It brings me great joy to work with motivated individuals who are invested in their health and well-being. It is so rewarding to see the changes in how our patients feel and look and to be a part of that journey. This is where the name Team Hetzel originated. I believe a team approach is the most effective way. We are all invested in the process of helping our patients reach their goals.
I also LOVE competing for the United States of America! Being able to compete at the highest level of sport, in the sport that I love, for the country that I love is the highest honor I can imagine. The joy and pride it brings me is truly incredible, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent our country in competition.
Contact Info:
- Email: kristen@teamhetzel.com
- Other: Phone: 310-270-5560
- Website: www.teamhetzel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamhetzel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHetzel/
