‘Women can look muscular and be feminine at the same time’: Vietnamese-Canadian CrossFit coach on flexing some muscle
- Coach and business owner in Canada Valerie Hoang excited to represent her birth country at the 2020 CrossFit Games
Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Valerie Hoang moved to Canada in 1992 at the age of four, however it wasn’t until five years later her life got truly turned upside down.
Hoang’s mother, sister and some of her extended family were involved in a terrible car accident in Texas. Hoang said the crash drastically changed her new life in Ottawa, Ontario.
“My mom passed away due to the injuries sustained so my dad raised my sister and I as a single father with some help from our extended family,” the 31-year-old said. “He was strict and I think that just came from him being protective of his two daughters.”
Hoang’s life as a youngster revolved around getting good grades in preparation for university and sports: high school basketball and touch football. She said growing up under the watchful eye of a widowed father wasn’t the easiest, but she is grateful for the work ethic her dad instilled in her and her sister as he expected excellence at all times.
“He worked endlessly to provide for us and I truly thank him for that.”
