Meet Rhiannon Hansen

We recently connected with Rhiannon Hansen and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhiannon, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

From a very young age, I always knew I wanted to be an actress. There was something about stepping into a new role that just felt right, like it was in my DNA. I started dancing at five, then moved into singing and performed in many country music competitions. Eventually, I found musical theater in high school, and it clicked—it felt like home.

I went on to study musical theater at AMDA in Los Angeles, and right after graduating, I ended up on Legally Blonde the Musical: The Search for the Next Elle Woods. Coming in third was a wild experience, and it led to an amazing two-year run as Margot/US Elle on the Broadway First National Tour. After that, I moved to New York City and performed regionally across the country- some of my favorite roles include Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Amber in Hairspray, and Patty in Grease. I also had the privilege to work behind the scenes on Broadway as an Assistant Production Supervisor, which gave me a whole new perspective on live theater.

There’s something magical about live performance that really solidified this passion for me. It’s not just the applause—it’s the raw emotion, the energy that flows between the actors and the audience, and how a performance can take you to another world. I find the same magic in film and TV—the way well-crafted stories can reach you in ways you never expected, make you feel something deep inside, or give you comfort when you need it most.

After years of performing, I became a mom—and honestly, motherhood completely flipped my world upside down. There’s so much about motherhood I wasn’t prepared for, and dealing with postpartum depression after my first child really changed me. I had this tiny little human to care for and protect, but in the process, I kind of lost myself. I knew I needed to do something to get back to me, but I wasn’t sure where to start. That’s when I found fitness classes for moms, and it completely transformed my life. I found a new passion, and for the first time in a while, I started to love moving my body again, not as punishment, but as a way to feel strong and empowered.

A year later, I became a fitness instructor, and it felt like I’d found my groove again. I loved seeing women discover the joy of movement, and watching them make huge changes in their lives—it was incredibly rewarding. That’s when I realized my true passion: inspiration. Whether through fitness or acting, I want to inspire people to believe in themselves, achieve their goals, and feel confident along the way.

Once I regained my confidence in my body and my kids were back in school, I decided it was time to dive back into performing. Over this past year, I’ve been surrounded by so much inspiration—both from others and within myself. I decided to pursue acting again and start my own fitness business. What I’ve come to realize is that my purpose is all about inspiring others to be the best versions of themselves, whether that’s through movement or through the roles I play. I want to help people feel strong, capable, and connected to their own potential. At the end of the day, my goal is to inspire people to go after their dreams and feel something real—whether it’s joy, empowerment, or just a moment of escape. That’s what truly drives me.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I truly feel like I have the coolest jobs in the world! As an actor, I love stepping into new worlds and bringing completely different characters to life. There have been so many surreal moments, whether filming or performing on stage, where I still can’t believe I’m lucky enough to get to do this for a living. This past year has been all about getting back into the business of acting—updating my headshots (it had been over 10 years!), creating new content for my reel, learning the ins and outs of self-tapes, and submitting auditions left and right. Even though I didn’t land every role, I’ve learned so much from each character I’ve had the chance to audition for. And I’m beyond excited for some of the projects I’ve been part of that will be coming out soon! The roles I’ve taken on since returning have not only been fun but have changed me as a person in ways I didn’t expect.

On the fitness side, a big part of what I do is showing up and making it fun. I absolutely love bringing energy, smiles, and laughter into every class I teach. It’s all about finding joy in movement, and that’s what I strive to share with others. Last year, I started my own fitness business, Rhi Inspired Fitness, and it’s been such an exciting journey. When I created my fitness company, I wanted to make sure the focus was on inspiring people to move their bodies in ways that feel good and fun—not as a form of punishment or shame. It’s about fueling your body to feel energized and joyful, and that’s something I’m passionate about teaching. I’m certified to teach High Fitness, Bungee Fitness, and I’m also a certified personal trainer and running coach. One of the most rewarding parts of what I do is watching people crush their goals and achieve things they never thought possible. There’s nothing like seeing others succeed and knowing I played a small part in that.

Looking ahead, I’m super excited about some upcoming acting premieres and seeing my work on screen. For Rhi Inspired Fitness, I’m looking forward to expanding my class offerings and introducing new options, including live classes available via Zoom to reach even more people. I can’t wait to continue growing my community and inspiring others to embrace movement and feel empowered while doing it!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are a positive outlook, a solid self-care routine, and goal-setting with accountability. First and foremost, having a positive attitude has been essential. I’m the type of person who believes in the “never give up” mindset and always looking on the bright side, and that mindset has been my anchor on the tough days. As an actor, rejection is part of the job, and it can be hard not to let it wear you down. But staying positive and resilient has kept me moving forward and focused on the bigger picture.

Next, finding my self-care routine has been a game-changer. It’s not just about taking care of my body; it’s about staying grounded and centered. I’ve learned the importance of having a daily routine that helps me stay on track without burning out. Especially when it comes to being a fitness instructor! I am sometimes working out multiple times a day, and its really important to keep my body happy and healthy. A 5-10 minute stretch and a minimum of five minutes of meditation each day keeps me balanced, and I’ve learned to listen to my body—when I need rest, I take it without guilt. It’s about creating a routine that feels nourishing and sustainable.

Finally, goal-setting and accountability are key. Writing down my goals and breaking them into smaller, manageable steps helps me stay focused and motivated. I like to write down my weekly accomplishments based on my bigger goals and then find people who can help keep me accountable. Celebrating those small wins, no matter how minor they seem, reminds me of how much progress I’m making and keeps me moving forward.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice would be to keep a positive attitude, build habits that support your well-being, and set clear, actionable goals. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from others who can keep you accountable. This combination has helped me stay on track and continue to grow, and I believe it can do the same for anyone starting their own journey.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has definitely been my confidence. At the start of 2024, I was just beginning to truly reconnect with who I am and find the confidence I had been missing. A trip to Ireland with a very close friend was a turning point for me. Being with someone who can tell you the hard truths in the kindest way and remind you of your core strengths is so rare and special. She reminded me to get back to the things I’m passionate about and let go of things that didn’t serve me. It was clear that big, sometimes scary changes were needed, but I knew they were necessary for my growth.

I enrolled in a program to jump back into acting and committed to giving it everything I had. The journey was overwhelming, but the program included mindset coaching with the incredible Natalie Roy. The process was grueling, as it challenged me to face my fears head-on. There were times when the fear of not being enough felt blinding, and I questioned whether I could keep going. But Natalie became my anchor, she always believed in me and helped me push through the tough moments. Each step forward led to bigger accomplishments than I ever imagined.

As I pushed myself through those fears, I discovered new levels of confidence. I realized that when I break through a fear in one area of my life, other areas start to elevate as well. I gained confidence in myself, in my body (especially after hitting a personal record in my 4th marathon), and in my ability to walk into auditions and truly enjoy the process—not just focusing on booking the role, but simply getting to perform again after so many years away while raising my kids.

This newfound confidence was the driving force behind launching my own fitness brand, Rhi Inspired Fitness, and stepping into my role as a fitness instructor and personal trainer without letting imposter syndrome hold me back. The growth I’ve experienced over the past year has been life-changing, and I feel like this year has been the most transformative period of my entire adult life. I’m incredibly grateful to Natalie and to everyone who has believed in me and helped me level up. The support along the way has been invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RhiannonHansen.com and www.rhiinspiredfitness.com
• Instagram: @rhihan88 and @rhi.inspiredfitness

Image Credits

Adam Hendershott
Griffin Montgomery