DANIELLA MEANS is an international Elite powerlifter, a strongwoman and former rugby player at the women’s national team who grew up in, what she describes as the safest place on earth, Hong Kong. She moved to LA with her partner, and together they opened Hybrid Gym. One morning, Daniella is out for a walk with her dog when a man viciously attacks her with a hammer. Only two months after the attack Daniella competed in her first US National championship – the USPA Power National Championship – and came in 3rd!

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IN THIS EPISODE Daniella talks us through the day a man, in broad daylight, came up to her and attacked her with a hammer because she wouldn’t let him have her bag. While Daniella still deals with trauma and the fear of walking the streets alone, she explains us how her daily routine and training in the gym helped her through this difficult time.

Daniella and I also share experiences from the gym, and we talk about how body ideals are slowly changing for women. In the 90s women had to be stick skinny, but today female fighters of the UFC and other organizations are changing the image thus allowing for women to be big and strong. Yet, Daniella still has to face comments about her figure from both friends and family because Asian women are expected to be petite – and Daniella is NOT. 

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Find out more about Daniella’s gym: www.hybridgymlosangeles.com 

Follow her and her gym

Instagram: @daniellameans, @hybridgymla, @hybridgymhk

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This Interview was recorded Wednesday, July 22nd 2021

Created and hosted by: Louise Brix Andersen

Find out more about the work of Louise: www.louisebrix.com 

Instagram: @louisebrixa

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WATCH ON: https://xotv.me/channels/473-changing-the-narrative