Amanda keeps her running technique in check!

June’s BAMF (Best, Amazing, Male or Female) is Amanda Ruley. I am always amazed by all you mothers who crush it at the gym. It’s usually a woman with incredible tenacity that can get through a pregnancy, give birth, and then get even stronger physically. Amanda if often bringing her young daughter to the gym. Since coming to MBS she has really begun to shine! This girl is a gymnastics natural, linking toes to bar and chest to bar pullups like a pro!

Age: 27
Height: 5ft 1
Weight: 115.6
How long xfitting: off and on for 4 years
Career: full time student, and part time customer service associate at Shane co.
Family: just me and my Aylah girl.

What was your fitness background before coming to MBS? What has made you stick with it?
My entire fitness background started at a CrossFit facility in Washington. When I moved back to Colorado, I started working out at 24 hour fitness and it was really boring. I really missed not only CrossFit WODS, but the entire camaraderie that comes with it. So I looked up the closest place I could start doing CrossFit again and it led me to MBS. And for me it’s easy to stick with it because I actually love the way I feel after a really tough WOD, it’s very addicting. And I also know what it feels like to be overweight and unhealthy and I NEVER want to go back!

What changes have you seen physically, mentally, spiritually?
The changes I have seen are dramatic! I was at 165lbs after I had Aylah and hung out at about 145lbs for over a year after she was born. I also couldn’t lift a 45lb barbell without really struggling. I was extremely tired all of the time and hated seeing myself in the mirror. Since CrossFit I am stronger happier, and I love the way I feel in my own skin! I have more energy than I have ever had, it’s amazing!

Favorite/least favorite WODs/movements?
I love doing pull ups and more recently toes to bar. I really am struggling with my deadlifts and other oly lifts. However, I can’t say I don’t like them I just need to practice.

Tell us how your Whole 9 journey is going…have you experienced any change?
It has been extremely difficult and I have given up and started over twice, still on my second try. I’m about 2 weeks into it and the changes are starting to prove worth the struggle. I’m seeing definition where I didn’t know I had muscles and my energy level is finally up. I’m sleeping better and no longer craving the foods that were making me unhealthy… Except chocolate, but I haven’t given in!

You are a single mom and student. How do you manage it all?
Commitment seems to be one of the hardest things to overcome on the road to fitness. I don’t feel like I have any other choice but to keep on going. My genetics are against me in all directions and I want to be as healthy as I can for my little girl. I am never going to say it isn’t hard, because it is. But no matter how hard it gets I constantly remind myself how far I have come already, it would be silly to give up now. I always like to set tiny goals for myself so that I always am working for something. That way I get that sense of accomplishment and it keeps me motivated.

What benefits have you seen from the strength class?
My new pr’s have recently happened during strength class. I get so excited and can’t wait to try again the next week. My form is also beginning to improve which is one of my main goals right now.

Advice to new CrossFitters?
Don’t give up, and try really hard to get the “can’t” in your head to shut up. Until the can’t is gone you will never be able to truly experience what you can do. This was/is my daily struggle and it’s amazing how fast things change when you believe you can.

Favorite thing to do in the summer?
I love everything about summer, but at the top of my list would be concerts at Red Rocks, so much fun!

Favorite place you have traveled to?
I really enjoyed the botanical gardens in Victoria Canada, breathtakingly beautiful!

Who is your hero?
I actually can’t say I have a hero, just very enspired by other female athletes in general. What punctuation mark best describes your personality? Why?
Probably a ? Because sometimes even I don’t know why I do certain things. I like to live in the moment, rarely plan out things. I am extremely easy going, and who knows what is next… I sure don’t!

If I wasn’t afraid I would _________ (What?) go rock climbing… Me and heights do not mix!