Meet Hannah Linzay | Professional Strongwoman & and Scottish Highlands Games Athlete

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

Hi Hannah, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Throughout my whole strength career, I think the most important factor that has influenced my success is grit. I’ve battled through many obstacles with injuries, relationships, working a very physically demanding job, amongst many other trials and tribulations. But I’ve always been able to follow through with prep and compete while showing up on comp day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I currently work for Nucor Steel Towers and Structures as a Receiving Lead in Decatur, Alabama. I’ve been employed there since August of this year. Previously I worked at Nucor Steel Decatur, which is the sheet mill located there. I was a Strand Tender in Casting. I used to work 4-12 hour shifts and they were also swing shift. So rotating between night and day every 4 day work turn. That job was very physically demanding and very, very hot. Summer it could reach up to 160 degrees. I worked there for a little over 4 years before moving to Towers and Structures. Working a manual labor job while trying to pursue your passion as a strength athlete can very challenging. Sleep is deprived, training after work is very hard, trying to get all your meals in can be difficult, but you do what you can to get it done. It really just shows you if you want something bad enough, it can be done. I won’t lie and say it’s been easy, at times it’s been very hard to do my job and train to compete in the largest contest in the world held for women, The Arnold Pro and now the Rogue Invitational. Having a great support system really can help you get through hard times in life and I am very thankful for mine. I’ve been competing in Strongwoman since 2017 and started as an amateur then got my Pro card in 2019 then been competing as a Professional since then. I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel the world and compete alongside with friends while doing the sport I love. I also compete in Professional Scottish Highland Games and in natural stone lifting, like the Jan Todd Games over Scotland. The Jan Todd Games is a contest that all the events involve natural stones and has 5 separate events. I happen to also be the 2nd woman to lift the Dinnie Stones without straps back in 2023.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not from the area, but my ideal trip would be with my friend, Mel, and preferably not in a city. We like to be out in the country and finding a mom and pop bar and just enjoying the simple things. We really just like to travel around and do dumb stuff together. When we’re both done competing in Strongwomen we plan to do alot of traveling and seeing the world, and I can’t wait for that.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my success to my husband Thomas Wade, my parents, brother and his family along with my grandparents, My coach, Liefia Ingalls, my friends, especially Melissa Peacock, and my sponsors (Cerberus Strength USA, Strengthlete Collective, Depth Before Dishonor) who have all supported me in anything I put my mind to.

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Image Credits
Sarah Furman
The butler boys
Kehsports