A Professional Athlete, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Celebrity Trainer, actress, model, and motivational speaker, Hetzel is a well-rounded woman who plies her passions and positive energy to uplift, empower and inspire. Regarded as one of the top two Duathletes in the World, Hetzel earned her way onto the national and global stages while fearlessly overcoming setbacks and obstacles, fending off challenges along the way with her tenacious will and fiery spirit.
The Los Angeles-based, West Virginia native is a four-time Silver Medalist, two-time Bronze Medalist, and eleven-time All-American who races on Team USA. After running track and cross country in high school, Hetzel earned a full scholarship for her undergrad studies at Wheeling Jesuit University, matriculating as a pre-med student. However, she soon realized that her passion was physical therapy, which she felt paired beautifully with her desire to continue her athletic pursuits. Hetzel selected Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, one of the top physical therapy doctorate programs in the country.
Soon after receiving her Doctorate, Hetzel discovered cycling. She spent three years racing professionally on an elite women’s team. When Hetzel heard about Duathlon, she leapt at the opportunity to compete in the run-bike-run events consisting of her two favorite athletic activities. Her first Duathlon was the 2012 Duathlon National Championships in which she placed 3rd, earning her a spot on Team USA for the World Championships in France a few months later. She has represented the stars and stripes contingent at the World Championships for eleven consecutive years. 2022 was Hetzel’s best year yet. She earned the Silver Medal at the National Championships, two Silver Medals at the World Championships, the Powerman Duathlon World Championships and the Olympic Distance Duathlon World Championships, received All-American honors, was Duathlete of the Year Hon Mention, and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Residing near the beach, Hetzel lives a quiet and disciplined lifestyle yet makes time to pursue acting roles in commercials, television and film. A bevy of brands have been enchanted by Hetzel’s wholesome, radiant beauty, casting her in commercials for Oakley, Tempur-Pedic, Under Armour, Nike, Reebok, Apple, Copper Fit, Smirnoff, BMW, Scott’s Liquid Gold, and Canadamark Diamonds. In print, she has appeared in ads as a fitness, athletic and bikini model, as well as landing glamour and lifestyle modeling assignments.
Hetzel owns and operates TeamHetzel LLC, a boutique Concierge Physical Therapy & Personal Training mobile practice in Los Angeles. The Hetzel Elite Method takes on a global body approach, blending the clinical knowledge of a physical therapist while guiding them on the path to achieving improved strength, fitness, and enriching their quality of life. She has her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, as well as certifications as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer.
In addition to pursuing acting, modeling and hosting opportunities, something Hetzel is eager to do more of is motivational speaking. She is especially fond of inspiring youth. “I love inspiring young kids to reach for whatever it is that they want to be and not listen to the naysayers that try to hinder or limit them,” said Hetzel. “The message that I impart whenever I speak publicly is based on what I apply in my own life. I keep moving forward despite any challenges in pursuit of the things in life that give me joy.”
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