Hanah Fjelddahl works at a company in Tokyo and leads an active lifestyle, regularly taking part in trail running races. But she wasn’t always into running. In fact, she once told her parents, “I’ll never run.”
What sparked the change in her mindset?
We also spoke with her about her favorite inner layer, the Elemental Layer, which she proudly calls herself a huge fan of.
A Life Driven by Passion: Hanah’s All-In Approach
Hanah Fjelddahl has been dedicated and disciplined from a young age, building a career as a professional ballet dancer. One day, however, something she saw sparked a deep fascination with the mountains, and she found herself drawn into mountain life.
After graduating from university, she left her hometown of Hong Kong and began working for a company in Japan. Living in Japan had always been a dream of hers. Now, she puts her full effort into her work during the week, while making the most of her lunch breaks and evenings to train. On weekends, she heads out to the mountains she loves, running through the trails.
A Life-Changing Moment in Zermatt That Moved Her from “I’ll Never Run” to Hitting the Trails
Q: How did you first get into trail running?
Hanah: My mom was a trail runner, and my dad enjoyed adventure racing, so ever since I was little, most of our family trips were hiking trips. At the time, I was usually dragged along and didn’t enjoy it much, to be honest! [laughs]
In 2019, we took a family trip to Zermatt in Switzerland. While we were out hiking in the town known for the Matterhorn, we happened to come across a skyrunning race. I had always thought those kinds of competitions were for people in their 30s or 40s, like my parents. But what I saw that day was completely different. The race was full of runners around my age, and seeing them gave me the feeling, “I want to try this too.” That was the moment everything changed for me.
A snapshot from a hike in the mountains near the Matterhorn, featuring Hanah’s family.
Q: It sounds like that scene really left a strong impression on you.
Hanah: My parents used to take part in all kinds of trail running races, but I had never actually gone with them to see one. So when I saw that race, I was like, “Wait, this is actually really cool. My mom’s been part of this world?” The start and finish areas felt like a festival, and the whole atmosphere was so much fun.
After that, I decided to give trail running a try myself, and before I knew it, I was completely hooked. [laughs]
Q: So after that, you began heading into the mountains because you genuinely wanted to?
Hanah: That’s right. At first, I just joined my parents on their runs. In Hong Kong, the mountains are so close that a regular run often means heading into the hills right behind the city. I started out running about once a week, but over time, it became part of my daily routine.
What I love most about the mountains in Hong Kong is how easily accessible they are from the city center.
On a trail on Lantau Island, the largest outlying island in Hong Kong. Despite being an island, it’s easily accessible thanks to trains and roads that connect it to the city. She told us she camped overnight at the summit during this trip, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Q: How did it feel when you ran in the mountains for the first time?
Hanah: It felt incredibly freeing. With hiking, you don’t really get that sense of speed, so the feeling of running downhill was so much fun.
I wasn’t scared at all. Instead, I thought, “I want to climb more mountains. I want to run faster.”
At the time, it was during the height of the COVID pandemic, and ballet studios were closed, so I found myself escaping to the mountains more and more.
On a trail on Lantau Island, the largest outlying island in Hong Kong. Despite being an island, it’s easily accessible thanks to trains and roads that connect it to the city. She told us she camped overnight at the summit during this trip, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Q: Ballet has played a big role in your life since you were a child, hasn’t it?
Hanah: Yes. I started when I was three years old, and since I wanted to become a ballerina, my days were completely immersed in ballet. With trail running, it was a totally different story. I used to tell my parents, “There’s no way I’m ever going to run.” [laughs]
Q: Do you find any similarities in the way you use your body in trail running and ballet?
Hanah: I don’t really notice it myself, but people often tell me I have a strong core. I guess that’s something I developed through ballet, and it’s probably helping me in trail running as well.
At a ballet competition held in Hong Kong in 2014. Hanah won the Grand Prix at this event, which became a turning point that solidified her decision to pursue a future in ballet.
The biggest lesson from a 100-mile race: never give up.
Q: Since moving to Japan, you’ve taken part in many trail races. Is there one that stands out to you the most?
Hanah: One race that really stands out in my memory is the KAI 69km at ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI in 2023. The atmosphere was incredible. The cheers and support along the course never stopped, and it felt like a three-day festival. It reminded me of the excitement I experienced at the skyrunning race in Zermatt. Just being there is fun, even as a spectator, and it definitely made me want to take part again.
Hanah on the course at ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI.
Q: You also completed a 100-mile race in 2023, didn’t you?
Hanah: In 2023, I decided to focus on fewer races and ended up entering a race called BAMBI 100, which was held in Osaka. Ever since I got into trail running, I had always admired the idea of running a 100-miler. But I figured it was something I might try in my late 30s or 40s—someday, not soon.
Then one day, an athlete I really look up to invited me to give it a try. I spent a week thinking it over, and in the end, I said, “I’m in!”
Q: What was it like to take on a 160-kilometer journey?
Hanah: It just felt incredibly long. [laughs]
It was more of a walk than a run, really. By the second half, I was totally wrecked, and the race turned out very differently from what I had imagined. I definitely want to go back and try again someday.
Q: What did you take away from that experience?
Hanah: I learned not to give up. Now, even when things get tough out on the trails, I remind myself, “Well, it’s nothing compared to 100 miles.” That race really helped build my mental strength.
Hanah says she ran the ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI race simply to enjoy herself. She still managed to finish 7th out of 152 women, an impressive result.
Q: Hasn’t your mom been surprised to see how passionate you’ve become about running in just the last few years?
Hanah: Yes, she definitely was. [laughs] My mom still lives in Hong Kong, but when I ran the 100-mile race, she flew to Japan to support me. She even helped crew and paced me during the race.
I used to say I would never run, and now I’m doing the same sport as my mom and even going on runs with her. I think that must make her really happy.
“This is amazing!” — A moment the whole family shared, impressed by the performance of the Elemental Layer.
Q: I heard you’ve got six Elemental Layers in rotation. How did you first discover them?
Hanah: That also goes back to our hiking trip in Zermatt. My mom had packed Elemental Layer tank tops for the whole family and handed one to me, saying, “Here, wear this.” That was my first encounter with it.
She told me to wear it underneath my sports bra, so for the first two days, I did just that while hiking. But on the third day, I accidentally wore it over my sports bra. The sweat chilled so quickly, and I got really cold around my chest. It was a totally different experience, and that’s when I realized the Elemental Layer had been helping me during those first two days.Q: The padding in sports bras tends to trap sweat, so you really feel the cold, don’t you?
Hanah: Exactly. At first, I was like, “What difference does this really make?” But when I wore it in the wrong order with my sports bra, I truly felt how effective the Elemental Layer was.
It was summer in Zermatt, but because of the altitude, it was still really cold. At the same time, you work up a sweat when you’re hiking. My dad and I both sweat a lot, so we were especially sensitive to that. I still remember the moment we looked at each other and said, “This is amazing!” That was when I became a huge fan of the Elemental Layer.
Q: And you’ve been spreading the word to your friends too, right?
Hanah: I recommend it to my running friends and coworkers who love hiking, and I even talk about it when I’m out snowboarding. Actually, more than recommending it, I’ve just been giving it to people as a gift. [laughs]
One reason is that I’ve experienced how good the Elemental Layer is for myself. But what really makes me happy is when friends come back and say, “This is amazing! Where can I buy it?” Hearing that makes me think, “See? It really works.”
My absolute favorite is the Elemental Layer tank top and short-sleeve shirt.
Q: There are a few types of Elemental Layers. Which one do you usually go for?
Hanah: For both the mountains and everyday life, I rotate between three types depending on the season: the Elemental Layer Tank Top, the Elemental Layer Short-Sleeve, and the Elemental Layer Cool Tank Top.
When I go snowboarding, I add a few more pieces such as the Elemental Layer Tights, Inner Gloves, and Inner Socks.
Q: Among them, do you have a favorite model?
Hanah: The two I use the most are the Elemental Layer Tank Top and the Elemental Layer Short-Sleeve. I’m actually wearing the short-sleeve one right now under a knit top. I wear them all the time, even with my everyday outfits!
Q: What makes you choose to wear the Elemental Layer even with your everyday outfits?
Hanah: I take the train to work, and it gets so warm and crowded that I often end up sweating. That’s what led me to start wearing the Elemental Layer in my daily life as well. I tend to sweat a lot, so it’s such a relief not to feel that uncomfortable chill afterward.
Q: You mentioned that you have both the Regular and Cool versions of the tank top. How do you use them differently?
Hanah: I don’t really have a strict way of using them differently. I first got the Regular Elemental Layer Tank Top from my mom and really liked it, so I decided to try the Cool version as well.
I usually wear the Cool one under my everyday clothes in the summer, and in winter, I go with the warmer Regular version.
Q: When you think about it, you actually wear the Elemental Layer quite frequently—on the trails, while hiking, snowboarding, and even during your daily commute.
Hanah: That’s right. I wear it on the weekends when I’m out in the mountains, and I also wear it to work during the week. So on busy weeks, I might end up wearing it three or four days out of the week. [laughs]
Wearing the Elemental Layer improves everything—comfort, performance, and how much I enjoy the activity. It allows me to focus less on discomfort and more on the experience itself. That’s how much I love it.
“I Don’t Push Too Hard Right Now” — To Keep Enjoying the Mountains for the Next 10 or 20 Years
Q: What are you aiming for going forward?
Hanah: I don’t have a specific race I want to enter or a time I’m aiming for. More than anything, I just want to keep having fun with trail running for years to come. When I think about it over the next 10 or 20 years, I don’t feel the need to push myself to the limit right now. So for now, my focus is simply to not overdo it and keep having fun.
Q: At what moments do you enjoy trail running the most?
Hanah: Even during races, the moments I enjoy most are when I’m moving at my own pace, soaking in the mountain scenery, stopping at aid stations, and chatting with other runners or people cheering along the course.
I think I enjoy it most when I feel free from any pressure. Even in a race setting, I try to embrace everything around me and simply enjoy the whole experience.
Q: The ability to keep having fun really is powerful. Is there anything you’d like to take on outside of trail running?
Hanah: Lately, I’ve been really interested in road biking. I feel like it offers the same kind of enjoyment as trail running. There’s the thrill of moving fast and the excitement of covering long distances. It seems like something that could bring a similar sense of adventure.
Q: Finally, is there anything you’d like to share with all the women out there who love outdoor activities or are thinking of getting into the mountains?
Hanah: This message isn’t just for women. I want everyone to experience how amazing the mountains can be. And when you do, I truly recommend trying the Elemental Layer. It helps reduce physical and mental stress, stay comfortable, and fully enjoy the outdoor adventure.
[Featured Guest]
Hanah Fjelddahl
Born in 1997. With roots in Hong Kong, Norway, and Japan, Hanah has been based in Japan since 2022. She competes in trail running races both domestically and internationally, earning podium finishes at numerous events. Her home mountain is Mt. Kintoki in Hakone, and her favorite post-run treat is a cold beer. Drawing on her years of ballet training, she shares tips for building a strong, graceful body on YouTube and continues to lead an active, adventurous lifestyle.
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