Biography
Courtney Hansen is an American television host, syndicated columnist, author, and former fashion model.
Born on October 2, 1974, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Gerald John "Jerry" Hansen and Constance (Walker) Hansen, Courtney grew up immersed in the automotive world. Her father was a 27-time SCCA national racing champion, and the family owned Brainerd International Raceway from 1973 to 2006. Raised in Orono, Minnesota, she spent much of her childhood around racing pits and garages, fueling her passion for automobiles.
After earning a marketing degree from Florida State University, Hansen began a corporate marketing career. She later transitioned to television, hosting the Jack Nicklaus pilot Killer Golf and segments on the Travel Channel, while also working as a fashion and fitness model featured on covers such as Hot Rod Magazine and Muscle & Fitness.
Her breakout TV role was co-hosting the car makeover series Overhaulin'. She subsequently hosted Spike TV's Powerblock—a lineup of four automotive shows—for eight seasons. Hansen also led the Spike TV special Great Builds, the Fox Sports Net travel-adventure series Destination Wild, which earned a Telly Award, and automotive programs on TLC including Rides and Million Dollar Motors. She has served as a spokesmodel for Matco Tools, Dodge, and Rolls-Royce. Notably, her role on Overhaulin' included hands-on work disassembling and assembling vehicles.
Since 2005, Hansen has penned the nationally syndicated automotive column "Courtney Hansen: Full Throttle" and contributed to FHM. She authored The Garage Girl's Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Your Car, a book aimed at helping women and first-time car buyers maintain their vehicles.
Hansen also hosted Autoweek’s Vinsetta Garage on the Discovery Channel's Velocity network, named after the historic Detroit garage preserved by Autoweek Magazine. The garage serviced everything from horse-drawn carriages to classic cars like the Ford Model T and Chevrolet Corvette.
In January 2014, she began hosting PowerNation on NBC Sports, Spike TV, and CBS Sports, and became the spokesperson for Endurance Warranty Services, LLC.
On July 5, 2014, Hansen welcomed her daughter, Holland Marysia Walker Hartington, with entrepreneur Jay Hartington, owner of Rumbatime and MarissaCollections.com.
She previously dated "Idiotest" host Ben Gleib during 2006 and 2007.
Courtney Hansen announced her departure from PowerNation at the end of 2015 to pursue new opportunities.
