GROUNDED with Connor Hollenbeck![]() GROUNDED with Connor Hollenbeck In March, the Iowa Barnstormers players and coaches were traveling to their first game on the road while the staff was busy in Des Moines finalizing details to welcome fans to Wells Fargo Arena for the home opener the following week. Reports of Covid-19’s rapid spread were covering the news channels, causing worry for what was to come of the 2020 season. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, businesses began closing their doors and concerts and sporting events were postponed or canceled. The Indoor Football League was given no choice but to halt the season for the safety of the teams, staffs, and fans. The Iowa Barnstormers were not able to take off, the season was grounded, and as quarantine swept across the nation so were the players, coaches, and staff. Gearing up for his second season with the Iowa Barnstormers and his first season as an official Veteran of the Indoor Football League, Connor Hollenbeck was en route to the first game of 2020 when the season came to an abrupt end. With so much uncertainty about what would come of sports in 2020, Hollenbeck and his teammates headed home and into quarantine. Not letting the loss of the season or the lockdown get in the way of his goals, Hollenbeck continued training in sunny Florida. “I mainly focused on my diet and staying healthy,” said Hollenbeck. “I learned what foods and drinks work best for my performance and the right times to take them based on how I feel or what I’m looking to accomplish.” Like all athletes, Hollenbeck had to find new ways to stay active and stay in shape without access to a gym. “I have been getting creative with my home workouts and have bought some equipment such as resistance bands. I also was able to run, bike, and play catch in my yard daily. I stepped up my diet even more during the pandemic and I am in the best shape I have ever been in.” Focusing on diet and exercise has only contributed to Hollenbeck’s preparation for the 2021 season. “I got lighter and stronger at the same time. I have also caught a lot of footballs daily so it has just become even more second nature. I have stayed on a steady routine throughout the whole pandemic.” While Hollenbeck has not taken his sights off of football, he has picked up some new hobbies in his spare time. "I learned how to disc golf during quarantine and it has actually become one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy the competitiveness of disc golf and also the nature aspect, I've gotten to go to many nice places and play. I've also been learning about cars and doing my own work on my SUV. Working on cars teaches me patience and appreciating my own hard work. It is very satisfying fixing the problem or seeing the hard work you put in pay off. I also save a lot of money working on it myself." Hollenbeck has been able to keep himself busy throughout quarantine, but like many has also had his struggles. He noted that he has missed face to face human interaction the most. "The most difficult thing was not being able to see my family as much as I usually do. I have a big family and now two nephews who I can't wait to see again." So what is the first thing he plans to do when things get back to the new normal? "First thing I would like to do is visit family and friends, but most likely it will either be going bowling, to the movies, or to a restaurant. I would also like to get a workout in with some teammates to start getting back into the football routine." Hollenbeck is eager to return to Des Moines for the 2021 season, stating that he is ready to have a great camp and start the season 1-0. QUICKFIRE: QUARANTINE EDITION
What shows did you binge?
How is your Animal Crossing Island?
What are your favorite quarantine snacks?
Did you bake any kind of bread in quarantine?
Did you learn any TikTok dances?
Did you go to a drive-in movie or concert?
What is the most creative workout you did?
Did you build anything during quarantine?
Share your favorite quarantine meme. ### Written by: Juli Pettit |
![]()
Browse by Month »
December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 |