Danielle Brandon is one of America’s most prominent functional fitness athletes. Hailing from the US, Danielle made her Games debut in 2019 after finishing 16th overall in the worldwide Open, although her first Open was in 2014. She has qualified for The Games three times, finishing 9th in 2019, 15th in 2020, and 11th in 2021.
Danielle has a background in track and field, diving and gymnastics; she was part of four state championship teams in track throughout high school, where she competed in the pole vault and 4×400, as well as two in gymnastics, and placed among the top five in the state in diving each season. She continued to compete in the pole vault throughout college with great success, including advancing to the NCAA West Preliminary in 2016 and finishing on the podium at multiple Big Sky Championships.
Questions:
How has your background in track and field impacted your transition to functional fitness?
"It allowed me to come in with sprint, power, and long distance running work already in my arsenal. It also helps you to learn to compete as you are literally racing on foot, or trying to out jump each other. It's competition in its simplest form."
Why are you so passionate about functional fitness?
"Because I am super competitive, I love working out, and putting in work and reaping the rewards is an incredible feeling!!"
What are your main hobbies or interests outside of fitness?
"Walking my dog Cash, hiking, traveling, coffee, being in the sun, music, etc."
What is your greatest source of motivation or inspiration?
"To not be a basic ass human being. I want to feel like I went out there and went for it."
What do you enjoy most about training with AIRWAAV?
"That it helps me focus on my breathing and also provides some protection for the heavier lifts. Lately I have been working on my aerobic capacity on multiple machines and it only helps me get there faster!"