20 Questions With Your Author

Hey, y’all! Remember me? I’m just now looking at the last time I posted on here… somehow, I blinked and over 1.5 years went by in the blogosphere. How did that happen?!

First off, I feel the need to thank everyone (friends, family, my wonderful sponsors, and even strangers) who read my blog and supported me during my triathlon racing years. Whether I’ve personally met you or not, your kind words and encouragement have meant the world to me!

Next, I’m excited to announce that I will be reincarnating my blog! As I was in the midst of my master's program in Internet Marketing (which I'm now done with woohoo!), I kept thinking that a lot of the information that I was learning was just too good not to share. So, this time around, my blog will be dedicated to sharing branding and marketing tips and tricks with you. I’ll also be using examples from my own life that I think you may be able to relate to. My hope is that you’ll be able to take these helpful hints and apply them to your own personal brand or a business you’re associated with. If you have any questions at all about the information I post, please feel free to reach out in the comments or via email: mandy.hahn7@gmail.com.

Now, it dawned on me that even though I’ve been blogging on here for nearly a decade now, I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. What I mean is that (from what I’ve revealed) you may only know me as Amanda the athlete and not much else. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share some fun facts with you to let you get to know your author (a.k.a. yours truly!) a little bit better. I hope you enjoy this Q&A below and be on the lookout for your first branding tip next week!


What are your nicknames? Mandy, Manders, Panda, Han Solo.

Are you right or left handed? Left (writing), right (cutting, golfing, texting, driving, etc.) …

What are your secret talents? I’d tell you, but then they wouldn’t be a secret now would they?!

What was your first job? Data entry at the local blood bank when I was in high school.

What are your favorite sports to spectate? 3-way tie between gymnastics, ice skating, and basketball.

What is your favorite podcast? Hidden Brain.

Who are your favorite artists? This is a tough one but the artists with the most songs in my iTunes library include: One Republic, Coldplay, Goo Goo Dolls, Taylor Swift, and Celine Dion.

Do you have any pets? Yes! I have a 2-year-old ragdoll Siamese cat named Merlin and a 30-40-year-old desert tortoise named Maxi. Random fact: Maxi the tortoise was found in the middle of the street by my husband’s grandma a few decades ago and we thought she was a “Max” until just a few years ago…

What is your favorite way to spend free time? I enjoy reading, traveling, cycling, and playing the piano.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show? Say Yes to the Dress (don’t judge!) and Cash Cab is a close second.

What is your favorite color? Cerulean (blue).

Who are your favorite authors? Jodi Picoult, JK Rowling, and Malcolm Gladwell.

What is your favorite food? This one is a toss-up between steak and ice cream.I heart them both equally!


What is one beverage you could drink every day for the rest of your life if needed? Tea, tea, tea! Southern sweet tea (cold) or English Breakfast tea with honey (hot).

How many places have you lived? 4.

What is your favorite place you’ve traveled? Queenstown, New Zealand. I visited this gorgeous country in 2003 and have daydreamed of going back ever since!

Name one fun fact about yourself: Legendary musician Tom Petty and I are both Gainesville High School alums.

I never leave home without? My Timex sports watch and a scrunchie.

What is your favorite dish to cook? I’m famous (or infamous) for my quick and easy “Mandy’s 5 minute meals” which include simple and easy to make meals like pasta.

Who would I want to have dinner with (dead or alive)? Princess Diana, Maya Angelou, and (last but not least) Jesus to name a few…

That's all for now, folks!