Hannatu Abbas was born in Ghana and raised locally in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties before graduating from Penn State with a degree in Journalism and Sociology. After a gap year working for AmeriCorps, she decided to pursue a career as an educator. Hannatu has taught students in K-8, but especially enjoys teaching fifth and eighth graders.
Hannatu began competitive sports in elementary school as a sprinter, jumper, and hurdler on an AAU/USATF track and field team and later remained active playing rugby, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. Through it all, she has always loved lifting. During the Covid shutdown, Hannatu was looking for a workout aside from her kettlebell and neighborhood walks, attended a free trial class at PG CrossFit and despite the workout involving the assault bike, was hooked.
Hannatu is drawn to the camaraderie of the CrossFit community, the drive to push herself in each WOD, and the ability to see personal growth – all which led to her latest stretch goal – to improve through coaching others in their own strength and fitness pursuits. As a coach, Hannatu is especially passionate about encouraging Muslim women to get into the gym to take time for themselves both physically and mentally.
Outside the gym, Hannatu remains active by playing basketball weekly, walking with the African American women’s hiking group GirlTrek, and as an organizer of She’s Got Grit, a monthly Muslim women’s excursion group. When not working out, you can often find her hanging out with her two kids who followed in her competitive footsteps in lacrosse and trampoline or enjoying her “old lady activities” sewing, crocheting, and listening to NPR.