Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah De Groot.
Hi Hannah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been an athlete for as long as I can remember. I started swimming at age four and began competing more seriously around 12. Swimming became a big part of my identity growing up. When I got to college, stepping away from being a varsity athlete was a tough transition, so I turned to running as a way to stay connected to that part of myself.
At the same time, I was studying nutrition at Penn State, which stemmed from my interest in performance, health, and how to fuel the body effectively. I struggled with the black-and-white nature of nutrition, which led me to examine my own relationship with food and exercise. My personal struggles with food and exercise, as well as my interest in psychology, led me to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at Temple University. At Temple, I gained hands-on experience through internships with the athletics departments at both the University of Pennsylvania and Temple. Now, I own Stride Counseling, a private practice serving athletes with eating disorders and OCD.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth roads are boring! As I mentioned, nutrition can seem black-and-white. I’m also very competitive, and I struggled with losing my identity as an athlete. These life transitions led to challenges with my relationships to exercise and food. In retrospect, these obstacles shaped who I am today, both as a person and as a counselor.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Stride Counseling is a therapy private practice serving athletes with eating disorders and OCD. I blend evidence-based care with a grounded, compassionate approach to provide an authentic, engaging therapeutic environment. I draw on my own background as a lifelong athlete and recovered person to help clients feel seen, supported and understood. I’m proud to be listed on the US Olympic and Paralympic Registry.
My clients are dedicated athletes struggling with eating disorders, RED-S, or OCD, facing the dual challenges of their mental health and a desire to perform at their peak. Stride works with athletes of all levels. We are now accepting new clients in FL, PA, NJ, DE, VT and OR!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’m a huge believer in karma, and that most things are not that serious! A lot of my success is the product of privilege and right place/right time, but I also believe in working hard to make the most of a lucky situation. Everyone is capable of being lucky. It’s all about perspective!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stridecounseling.co
- Instagram: @stride_counseling
- Other: @stridecounseling on TikTok
