Executive Profiles
Q&A: Christine McHugh, Chief Strategy Officer of Tangelo Manual Therapy + Movement
"I grew up in a family of politicians and there was hope that I would follow in the family footsteps."
By John Levesque October 23, 2018
This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the October 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription.
Tell us what your company does and what attracted you to this business.
We are a hybrid manual therapy and movement business, primarily focused on helping people get out of pain and back to what they love. I joined the company a year ago, leaving behind my big corporate job at Starbucks Coffee as I wanted to get into an industry that was close to my passion being active. And, I love helping people and that is the core of our business. Plus, we do it in a high-energy environment with pumping music, fresh colors and an open concept with over-the-top service, which makes it fun to come in.
What book/TV show/podcast are you reading/watching/listening to and why?
Podcast: The Rich Roll Podcast. He’s a great interviewer of people, really getting at the heart of the matter. I also learn a lot about health and wellness (physical and mental). I also like Finding Mastery by Michael Gervais due to the breadth of guests. They get underneath how individuals have mastered/excelled in certain aspects of their lives. Book: I recently read How Bad Do You Want It?, which is about athletes who have overcome obstacles through mindset. Great stories and great insights. Can you tell what topics are hot with me right now?
Whats your favorite spot in Seattle?
Discovery Park with my family or running around Lake Union.
What kind of car do you drive and why?
Audi A6. When I got promoted to VP at Starbucks, I felt I needed an “executive car” and the Audi is the first brand new car I ever owned. It feels kind of shallow when I look back at it, but I do love the car!
Tell us something people dont know about you.
I grew up in a family of politicians and there was hope that I would follow in the family footsteps. My paternal grandfather, Charlie Parr, was an Alaska state senator and was a huge civil rights activist. My maternal grandmother, Helen Fischer, was in the House of Representatives, fought for Alaska statehood and ended up in the Alaska Womens Hall of Fame. I carried their legacy forward in my own way of serving my community but I never wanted to be in politics myself.
What are you passionate about outside of work?
I love the mountains! I love hiking and being in nature in the summer and I spend a lot of time in Mount Rainier National Park. In the last few years, I’ve also turned into an avid runner and really love my running community. I’m training for my third marathon later this year.