Meet Andrea Hammer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Hammer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I LOVE PEOPLE! I want to make a difference in the lives of others. I realized that if people are not well, they cannot go out there and DO the unique, magical thing that each of us are born with. If you are sick, tired or your spirit is broken- your gift is locked under your covers, or stuck in a doctor’s office. Hammer Health and Fitness, Inc. is a woman owned and operated Health, Fitness, Well-Being and Life Coaching company with a track record of over 20 years in providing personalized training to create and sustain “THRIVING” Lives! for individuals and communities. The power to change your life, and the lives of others, is ALWAYS within us! Our Passion and Purpose is to assist in finding, developing and utilizing the very best in people – Body, Mind, and Spirit! In pursuit of these goals, I created a unique, effective, and safe multi-use strength and fitness training product that is an alternative solution to conventional metal dumbbells, weight plates and kettlebells. It is called : The MaxPAC! “Maximum Power And Core! Strength and Fitness Training System. The MaxPAC provides a safe and effective way to increase over all body strength, gain lean muscle mass and definition, improve balance & stability, build core strength, improve cardiovascular ability and burn fat! Due to its immediate multiple-muscle activation, users can workout in less time -with greater results! Strong, Fit, Healthy people become Empowered – and can go out with Confidence to contribute to the Uplifting of Humanity!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Though I have been training and exercising all my life, my company, “Hammer Health and Fitness, Inc.” was officially incorporated in 2011. I wanted to provide a unique experience in the Health & Wellness industry where people can be truly understood and appreciated for being who they are, the struggles they have, and the dreams they desire. That takes an awareness of the total person: Body, Mind and Spirit, to be able to inspire the willingness to do the work that is necessary to make the lasting changes they want in their lives. Theirs is a journey (together with me) to Radiant Health, Strength, Vitality and Happiness. They learn how to “Live Intentionally Fabulous Everyday! All my knowledge, skills and methodologies are focused on that level of Success! My signature protocols combine science-based education, physical action, and Self-Awareness in my 3 key areas of “Fitness, Food, and Feeling Good”. This allows the individual “a deep dive” into the grand discovery of just how AWESOME they really are! People are way more capable than they think, or believe they can be. It is my unwavering and total belief in them, that sets the positive tone for Courage, Open-Mindedness, and Self-Esteem. All my Fitness, Nutrition, Life Coaching Certifications and years of experience listening to and learning about people, how they feel and what they truly want- have prepared me to be able show them how to “Live YOUR Strongest, Healthiest, Most Joy-FULL Life!” There is something unique, beautiful, and purposeful within EACH person. It’s their “gift” from the Divine. I see that in everyone and “Speak to the Sparkles” that is the Light within (even if they don’t know it’s there). I believe it is that level of human connection that allows people to feel acknowledged and appreciated for WHO they are. It leads the way to a Thriving, (not just Surviving) Life! When you feel like that, you feel Amazing. And, amazing people DO great things! My Journey: After all my gym training, using machines and metal hand-held equipment (dumbbells, weight plates and kettle bells) I wanted a new way to workout with something as effective- but SAFER, more comfortable to hold, that utilized the power of the grip itself and that could have hundreds of variable exercises! So, I created and manufactured my own strength and fitness product! “The MaxPAC!” Maximum Power And Core Strength and Fitness Training System (Trademarked and Patent-Pending). They come in 3 sizes and weights -for hundreds of variable exercises. They are safe and effective across all demographics. The MaxPACs have been sold to gyms, schools, rehab center, doctor’s offices, yoga & Pilates, martial arts studios, military staff and personnel at THE PENTAGON, and to The Pentagon Athletic Center: (The PAC) The MaxPAC is in The PAC!! This was one of my greatest achievements! I am so proud, excited and humbled all at once! “Thank You” to my dear friend and creator of the “Soothie Cushion”, Claudia Rimoli for bringing me with her to The Pentagon. Together, we bring “Strength and Recovery” to our military servicemen and women. It is an incredible honor! I could never have gotten here without the help of many more people who believed in me and assisted me with their expertise. It truly does take a village! I started experimenting making weighted packs in my garage 10 years ago with plastic and duct tape, filling them with different kinds of sand (there are 40 varieties!!) kitty litters, rocks, gravel, dirt, potting soils, etc. I called my clumpy creation the “Hammer POWER Bag” (and actually Trademarked it) – but the name was rejected 11 months later by the US Patent and Trademark Office because someone in the UK owned the term: “Powerbag”. Come to find out it later- was a bag for power tools! Not even in the same classification! This was a huge disappointment! But that didn’t stop me. For the next 2 years there was more trial and error of leaking and tearing and investigating 27 other names! Then, I invested in professional design engineering with “The ProtoType House”(Matthew Bordy and his team) and graphics with “Create One For Me”. (Vicki Cortina) Finally, “The MaxPAC!” (Maximum Power And Core) was born! Now – how was I going to manufacture them? And, where was I going to get the money? Prayer time! I knew that if you really believe in yourself and want something bad enough, you will find a way. I had attended an amazing Women’s Empowerment Expo, created by a wonderful young woman named, Alexa Carlin. I met up with her and told her that one day, I wanted to be a Keynote speaker at her future events- when my dream of creating my fitness product was manifested. I told her that first I needed to find a way to get them professionally manufactured. (I had no idea how I was going to do this!) Her response was: “Call my DAD! That’s what he does. He’s fitness equipment manufacturer’s rep for 30 years!” I looked up at God with tears in my eyes! You always have my back! “Thank YOU!” I figured , if God could bring me someone to help me do this- I would find a way to get the money. I used ALL my own savings. I got a business line of credit, and even dipped into my home equity line. All this was incredibly scary! I was in my late 40’s starting a whole new path in my life. How was I going to do all this? Alexa’s Dad, Mitch, became my mentor, business advisor – as well as my manufacturer’s rep. He took all my design docs, spoke to his manufacturers and got one of them to make them for me! (This was a big challenge as they normally only take 100,000 minimum units!). Mitch asked them to do 3,000 to start me off (because this was all I could afford) and they graciously said, YES! YAYYY! A few months later, after all financing and logistics of shipping, customs, trucking and warehousing were completed, they finally arrived! I was so “to the moon and back” happy!! Tears streaming down my face as they unloaded the 18 crates of my MaxPACs!! OMG!! It’s really happening!! The MaxPAC is now REAL in the world! This has taught me that anyone at any age can change their life. My dream to create a safe and effective strength & fitness training product has been manifested! I’ve always wanted to leave a legacy of health (and indominable spirit of following your dreams) for my family, (I love You, David Hammer!) my friends, my clients and humanity! I am beyond grateful for ALL those who believe in me, guide and love me, and support my passion to empower others to live a Radiant Life!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in South Florida for almost all my life! I LOVE IT! Sun, Ocean, Palm trees!! There is much to see and do. Some of my favorite places and things to experience are: Of course, the beaches! From Palm Beach, to Fort Lauderdale to Miami to The Keys- there are all different vibes. Paddleboarding to Parasailing were some favorite things.. Concerts at Broward Performing Arts Center, The Hard Rock in Hollywood, and the Ampitheater in WPB were always great! The shops and restaurants on Atlantic Ave in Delray, Las Olas Blvd, in Ft. Laud, and Bayside and Lincoln Rd. in Miami are all fun hangouts. However- since Covid, the music, shopping and dining experiences are very minimal or not at all. We all must have a sense of “Unity of Community” in keeping each other Safety, Healthy and Strong!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for many wonderful people in my life! 1. First and foremost is the LOVE of my LIFE- my hubby, David- who has loved and supported me since the day we met! 2. My Wonderful sons Alex and Adam, and my daughter-in-law, my Beautiful Bianca! You all make me so Proud to be your MOM! 3. My Brilliant Business and Social Media Strategist, Barbara Gobbi, “Barbara Gobbi Marketing Solutions”. 4. My Creative Graphic Artist, Vicki Cortina, “Create One For Me” 5. My Fabulous Friend and Fitness Colleague, the Amazing, Linzi Martinez – who is The Brand Ambassador for “The MaxPAC!” 6. All my Loving Supportive Bestie friends and family!

Website: www.themaxpac.com and www.hammerhealthandfitness.com
Instagram: Hammer Health and Fitness, and The MaxPAC
Linkedin: Andrea Hammer
Twitter: Andrea Z Hammer
Facebook: Andrea Hammer, Hammer Health and Fitness and The MaxPAC
Youtube: Andrea Hammer Hammer Health and Fitness , The MaxPAC
Other: My Women’s Empowerment Radio Show: “Your LIFE Program!” (Live Intentionally Fabulous Everyday!) on: Radio Ear Network, Spreaker, SOB RadioNetwork, SocietyBytes Radio, iHeart Radio, iTUNES, Spotify http://www.RadioEarNetwork.com https://www.spreaker.com/show/your-life-programs-tracks https://www.spreaker.com/show/your-life-programs-tracks https://www.societybytesradio.com/health–fitness.html https://www.sobradionetwork.com https://open.spotify.com/show/1lxVq3TvcWzj2SKPF9aKgL?si=T4zbY5P2Q-el8RHjEWs-uQ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/your-life-programs-tracks-29133026/ https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/your-life-program/id1081596225?mt=2

Image Credits
Mindy Kerr Vicki Cortina