I am following some amazing footsteps. My mom was a fitness instructor when I was growing up. She would bring me to the gym with her and I would watch the women and men strive to be their best selves daily. It inspired me, even at the age of 5. I would join my mom’s classes to the point where I think I could have taught for her.

Growing up I have always been into fitness. I was a competitive cheerleader, played basketball, softball, and field hockey. I also learned at a young age that movement was the best gift we could give to our bodies!

I went to Salem State University for Athletic Training and really found my love for nutrition and exercise. I learned how important the proper nutrition was to be able to perform and feel our best daily. I knew I loved being around the fitness/wellness community and was lucky enough to land a job coaching bootcamp and personal training clients in the morning before classes. How cool is that to be able to do what you love and make a little extra cash! We all know what being a broke college student feels like! After graduating from Salem State I decided it was back to school for nursing. I wanted to learn more about the human body and help people recover from illnesses and injuries.

While in nursing school I started competing in fitness competitions. This is where I dove deep into nutrition and how to get my body to peak performance. I learned what macro and micronutrients were and how the timing of certain foods can affect the body differently. I competed in fitness competitions for 5 years. I learned so much and got to meet so many amazing people. During this time I learned the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON… the meaning of living a balanced lifestyle.

Those five years were a health roller coaster, yo-yo dieting at its finest. My marriage, my relationship with my family and friends were struggling. I sacrificed a lot to stand on that stage in a little bikini and high heels. At that time it was worth it, I had goals that I wanted to achieve. However, those sacrifices led to losing my menstrual cycle, fertility treatments, and fighting to find the happiness and love for my body again. It has taken many years and FOUR babies to fall in love with my body again.

I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t go through that chapter in my life. I am happy that I did because I learned, I grew as a person, I met the most amazing humans that are still in my life today, and those experiences lead me to helping people learn the meaning of living a healthy, happy lifestyle without making extreme sacrifices.

Amanda with her husband Damen and four daughters Cece, Mila, Matti, and Mazi.