Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Dante Hancock of Henry County

We recently had the chance to connect with Dante Hancock and have shared our conversation below.

Dante, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
“Early bird gets the worm.”

Though it may be one of the oldest phrases; it always holds weight.

My role as an Insurance Specialist for Progressive comes with its own twists and turns. To prepare for my work day; I’m out of bed one hour before my shift followed by ten minutes of Stretching, Calisthenics and a warm shower.

Following that routine makes me feel mentally and physically prepared as it gives me the sense that I’ve taken control of my day and didn’t let it take control of me. It also wakes me up and gets me more prepared for work.

The next 30 minutes are composed of starting my work shift off on the right path by checking my work email and any vital updates from my team and supervisor.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a member of the U.S. Navy and Personal Trainer/Amateur Boxer; I emphasize good health by taking care of your body through exercise.

What made my journey difficult towards achieving those goals was my childhood of growing up with Epilepsy; a neurological disorder causing me to suffer from seizures. This disorder made even the simplest tasks a challenge as my seizures were easily triggered by stress or fatigue.

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at age nine and trying to have a normal life as a young boy was very difficult.

My condition worsened at age 13 as the disorder became more aggressive and I suffered from seizure episodes almost everyday; sometimes fainting and needing overnight hospital stays to monitor my brain. Though I tried dozens of medications; nothing was preventing the seizure spells.

After years of trial and error with no success; my Neurologist decided that I undergo a brain operation as the last and only other option. The operation happened three weeks before my seventeenth birthday in January of 2007.

Thankfully, the number of seizures that occurred greatly reduced and finally stopped at age 22.

I enjoy telling my story because most would never guess I was in the U.S. Navy let alone a competitive Boxer as growing up with such a difficult disorder would prevent most from achieving one let alone both goals.

It also sets me apart from most trainers as I truly know what it’s like to struggle and I take pride in trying to motivate others looking to improve their health.

As the Owner and Founder of Inferno Fitness; my goal is to help those looking for motivation to stay in shape through Boxing.

The most beautiful thing about Boxing is that it’s not only an exciting sport; but also great for exercise and releasing stress in one of the most healthiest ways possible.

To make my story even more motivational; I have competed at the Amateur level of Boxing and won my second fight after losing my very first one.

“Tough times are meant to build a tougher you.”

A phrase I always repeated as a child to stay optimistic and it could not be more accurate now that I am an adult reflecting on the challenges I have overcame.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Whether it was speaking properly or dressing professionally; Donald Hancock, my dad, taught me how important both self-respect and proper etiquette are. He served his full twenty year term as a member of the United States Air Force and seeing him wear the uniform gave me inspiration to also serve this country.

His father John Hancock Sr., who is of course my grandfather; served twenty years in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War. Before his passing in 2023 at the age of 90; he was a Deacon of my childhood church and married to my grandmother for almost 70 years.

His son who is my Uncle, John Hancock Jr., also served in the United States Air Force for five years.

My Grandfather, Father and Uncle with their background as Military Service Members gave me inspiration to keep the tradition going. Growing up, I looked at them as examples of self-respect, and confidence. Voluntarily joining the United States Military takes a lot of courage in which they displayed and also motivated me to do the same despite the difficulties I had with signing up.

Their levels of discipline also taught me how important following rules and respecting others truly are and I also continue to participate in the sport of Boxing as an honor of my grandfather.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Diagnosed up with Epilepsy at age nine and suffering from it for eight years; my childhood was opposite from normal. I was on over ten different medications, visiting my doctor multiple times per year and consistently had brain scans for monitoring.

Being epileptic caused me to have seizure episodes everyday and sometimes passing out from them. They would sometimes occur at school and I would faint during class in front of the teachers and students.

Suffering from Epilepsy made it hard to fit in at times. My childhood was a never ending cycle and I would constantly wonder why am I experiencing these hardships and why.

I also felt like a burden to my family as I was the only one who suffered from the disorder.

There were several times when I contemplated giving up and was hoping that I’d one day fall asleep and never wake up; at least my suffering would stop in that scenario. But coming from a strong minded family; never quitting and pushing through every struggle was always the mindset.

Suicide is never the answer.

The suffering it causes to others is irreversible as one life is gone and many others are permanently damaged.

When moments of giving up came; I thought about my family and the aftermath of it all. Helping me deal with my disorder was tough for them; but it would’ve made it so much tougher and almost impossible to recover from had I ended my own life due to built up pain and helplessness. The guilt from it all would have been impossible for them to heal from.

Your life is much more vital than you think of and there are people out there who love you.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
“Keep your marriage private.”

In an era where social media posts for likes and engagement is almost a priority to most; I believe the exact opposite especially when married.

Perception is always different depending on the viewer which what makes social media both good and also bad. When you are married; you fall asleep at night and wake up the next morning to each other. You make decisions based off the possible effects on the marriage as well.

Do everything to protect the bond within that marriage.

Marriage isn’t the fairy tale posts we often see on social media and most are pressured to share their married life to portray that same fairly tale. I believe falling for that trap can display a false narrative of what is truly going on and even may force us to keep living that faux image to avoid disappointing the audience instead of fixing the underlying issues.

Being married is not a TV show and what the viewers think is truly irrelevant. The only opinions that ultimately matter are those of my wife and I.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“He was a fighter, service member and advocate…….”

“Dante endured the struggles of being Epileptic during a time of growth and adaption to the phases of everyday life; his resilience shapes the way you face challenges and use them to build a strong character.”

“He always believed in using challenges and doubt as fuel to keep pushing for more.”

Those are some of the phrases I want to be used to remember me.

From surviving Epilepsy, which makes any level of fitness impossible to being accepted into the Military though I was already permanently disqualified; my sequence of persistence and fortitude will help motivate anyone.

Overcoming my Epilepsy, joining the Military followed by becoming an Amateur Boxer at the toughest weight class is a great example of fighting back. I don’t let challenges stop me from my goals and believe each obstacle is a test to become stronger in preparation for the next one.

My story resembles a person who does not quit nor let past struggles shape his future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://infernofitnessboxing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inferno_fitness_training?igsh=MWdqc2Zrb21hczljMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aQN2fyPaZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@infernofitnesstraining9245?si=cxSecHEdMzLlIHkk

Image Credits
In the Mix Media LLC