Meet Beth Hansen

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Hansen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Greensboro, NC. Deciding to live in the place I grew upwasn’t a conscious choice – I just never left and Greensboro never gave me a reason to leave.

Most personal trainers or gym owners have a story of pursuing excellence in sports at a young age. That is not my story.

I made daisy chains in the soccer field instead of chasing the ball.
Ballet wasn’t for me.
I was more interested in the pizza party after the softball game than anything else.

In short, sports and I decided we weren’t a good match.

Then I discovered the world of physical pursuits that didn’t involve chasing around a silly ball. Backpacking, kayaking, cycling – if it was outside, I was in! The outdoor activities that Greensboro boasts kept me engaged and wanting more.

Cycling became a true passion of mine. I spent as much time as I could riding roads + trails all over North Carolina – until I suffered a life changing spinal fracture the summer I turned 16. My left leg was numb. I was in constant pain with daily activity and in even worse spirits.

The constant pain led me to physical therapy and eventually a surgeon. The surgeon told me I’d never run or ride again and that I needed an incredibly invasive surgery with questionable outcomes. I declined.

Cut to summer of 2009. I’m 18 and a freshman in college. I’m in near constant pain but have somehow figured out how to ride through it. I decide to ride my bike cross country.

Spoiler: I fell and broke my back. Again. I made it though. All 4000+ miles.

This time it was different. I knew what was important to me: my physical freedom. Being able to say YES when someone asks me if I want to go for a bike ride. Being able to move my laundry from the washer to the dryer without help. Being able to go for a hike with a friend if I feel like it.

I didn’t want surgery to be the only option, despite every professional I trusted telling me it was. So I muddled through my recovery on my own. And I got better.

I have dedicated my career to helping others achieve their own version of physical freedom because I know what it’s like when it’s threatened. I know what it feels like to have a trusted professional tell you that you’re broken.

In creating Lark, my mission was to provide committed people the opportunity for physical freedom through professional coaches that educate and foster an inclusive and curious community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
It started with a long, meandering walk during COVID. My partner, Margaret and I walked from our home in Lindley Park toward Downtown (a 2 1/2 or 3 mile trip) to grab a cocktail and a bite. This was just after peak COVID, masking indoors was very much a thing and I was training 100% virtually…from the hallway in our 1500 square foot house that we share with 4 dogs.

We happened upon a building for rent and she asked me if I would consider opening my own space.

Full disclosure: I said for years I would never open my own space. “I’m a good Coach, not a business owner”, was my line.

For whatever reason, that day I said yes. Just like that. Suddenly I was writing a business plan and securing funding.

And that’s how Lark came to be. It was very much ‘on a lark’.

If you’re not familiar with the phrase, it means, “a journey or quest for excitement or fun” – which is very in line with both the way I live my life and the ethos with which I train my clients.

Lark had to be a gym that was designed for people who didn’t want to spend time at the gym: they were the people that wanted to do stuff OUTSIDE the gym. Whether that’s getting up and down off the floor to play with their grandkids, or being able to complete an adventure race well into their 60s – I was and am uniquely positioned to help people achieve their version of physical freedom.

I knew that I wasn’t the only one who felt intimidated in the gym. I wasn’t the only one who needed someone to educate them so they could be autonomous in the gym and take their life back – without surgery, injections or other invasive procedures. In short, there are more people who want to live their lives with gusto than there are who want to lift 400 lbs and then put it back down. No offense to the meat heads of the world – but you have plenty of spaces to go!

Niching down has allowed us to serve exactly the kind of person we are uniquely equipped to help. We can’t help everyone, nor do we want to. We want to completely change the lives of those who we are most equipped to help.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend were visiting me for the weekend, we’d surely spend Friday night having dinner at drinks at 1618 Midtown, On Saturday, we’d hit the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and then stroll around downtown; grabbing coffee at Lawn Service and maybe taking a walk on the downtown greenway. Hopefully there would be a show happening at The Tanger Center and then end up at Undercurrent for dinner. Sunday is perfect for a paddle at Lake Brandt – or maybe a hike on one of the watershed trails.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner, Margaret, deserves a Nobel Prize for the amount of patience and grace she’s given me. In addition to her, Mary Banks & The team at Active Life have been absolutely instrumental in Lark’s strong start. Lastly, my Grandfather who’ taught me a ‘get sh*t done’ attitude can get you a long way.

Website: Www.larkfitnessco.com

Instagram: Larkfitnessco

Image Credits
Carolyn de Berry Photography