Hannah Deal

Coach Hannah Deal is a Charlottesville native who spent her formative years navigating the chaos of being the youngest of four siblings, while contending with the constant tug-of-war between her love for music and passion for sports. She began summer swim team at the age of four and continued to compete casually through high school.

After trying several other sports throughout her childhood, Coach Deal found her calling in volleyball and began to play competitively year-round. She spent several years as a head coach at Sutherland Middle School, during which she mentored young athletes and watched them blossom into caring teammates and formidable competitors. Faced with her own challenging decision between pursuing a varsity volleyball career or dedicating herself to a violin performance degree, Coach Deal chose a third course of action and majored in Business Management at James Madison University, leaving herself time to discover new hobbies. In 2016, Coach Deal’s brother introduced her to the world of triathlon and she dove headfirst into the sport, completing her first triathlon just one month later and instantly falling in love with it. Her dedication led her to take on the role of Vice President at JMU’s Triathlon Club.

Somewhere north of ten triathlons later and with more on the calendar, Coach Deal dedicates an average of 9-10 hours per week to rigorous training, guided by a personal coach. Immersed in the world of triathlons and with a professional triathlete for a brother, she stays well-informed about the latest developments in the sport. She loves to test her limits and continually searches for ways to improve and get stronger, all while having a blast! Coach Deal’s training philosophy mirrors her coaching approach—she firmly believes that fun is the essential foundation of any successful training plan. Furthermore, she places paramount importance on maintaining one’s well-being, even if it means adjusting a workout or taking an unwanted rest day. Above all, Hannah recognizes the significance of setting ambitious yet personalized goals, respecting each athlete’s unique journey and never imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Alongside coaching, Coach Deal works full-time at the Community Investment Collaborative, a local nonprofit that empowers under-resourced small businesses and entrepreneurs. Beyond her athletic pursuits, she finds solace and happiness in the kitchen, enjoys playing violin on the downtown mall, and frequently indulges in her love for reading fantasy and listening to neuroscience podcasts.