Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Miller.
Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I’m Amanda, once shy girl turned WILD, and I’m going to tell you a little bit about my journey to loving myself and how I took what I learned and started my own dance fitness brand to help other women do the same.
I used to hate my body and constantly judge and compare it to others. I used to resent other women and struggled building relationships out of fear that I wasn’t cool enough or “pretty” enough for people to stick around. I used to constantly wonder, “Why not me?” and felt trapped, wondering if I’d always feel this way.
So, I decided that it was time for a change. I didn’t know what kind of change, but something had to happen because there was no way that I was going to continue living my life feeling like I wasn’t enough. I started researching fitness studios and workouts, thinking that maybe if I lost some weight that it would make me love myself more…maybe that would make me feel more confident in who I am…but when I lost the weight, I still wasn’t as happy as I’d hoped to be.
What I know now that I didn’t know then was that I was constantly trying to change everything about myself and seeking validation instead of learning to appreciate and admire the girl I saw in the mirror. It’s easy to pick apart and focus on every flaw, but it’s much harder to see all of the good parts ya, know? So that’s what I started focusing on the good parts!
Little by little, I stopped worrying about how many calories I burned. I stopped making myself feel bad when I missed a workout. I started wearing a sports bra and shorts to my workouts and letting it all hang out without caring what others saw or thought about me. I started having more fun and moving my body because I loved it, not because I hated it.
I finally started believing in myself, and that’s when I truly felt the shift in my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish there was a pivotal moment or lesson that could make someone re-learn how to love themselves and find confidence in who they are, but it really is just one of those things that takes time and practice.
I had days where I overcame my struggles and days where I let them consume me. It’s not easy trying to change the way you see yourself, and it’s definitely something that you have to work on every day.
I had days where I felt on top of the world and days where I didn’t get out of bed. I’d have moments of doubt and question every decision, every goal I had because what if I didn’t make it? What if I failed?
Failure isn’t the biggest obstacle you have to face in order to truly radiate confidence from within. It’s fear. I started leaning into my fears and doing things that were hard, things that didn’t come easy for me. I started doing things that made me uncomfortable. I started failing and learning more about myself each time.
The funny thing about society is that we are always so worried about failure and so easily focused on perfection and how things should look that we, in turn, don’t take those big risks that could potentially change our whole lives. My biggest failures lead me to where I am today, and I will be forever grateful for all of them.
As you know, we’re big fans of BootyMix Fitness. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
It shouldn’t be so hard to be loved, seen, accepted, and respected for who you are.
I know what it feels like to try so hard to be loved, seen, accepted, and respected for who you are. It makes you feel insecure in yourself, heavy and exhausted from all the negativity, and alone. You’ve tried watering yourself down, hiding from the spotlight, pretending to be someone that you’re not… all while just trying to fit in.
It took me 33 years to finally love myself. It took me 33 years to start choosing what I wanted for my life instead of constantly trying to prove something to someone. 33 years of pain, not understanding why I didn’t fit in or have many friends, and wondering how long I would continue to wait for validation from the world instead of accepting myself just as I am.
33 years was too long, and I don’t want you to go another day.
That’s why I created BootyMix. I finally had a breakthrough when I discovered the power of dance fitness and how it allowed me to let go of my insecurities and just be me. I found a new connection to my emotions through how the music moved my body. I felt free, liberated from pain and judgment, and seen just the way I was.
The only problem was that at most classes, women were most focused on getting the moves right because that’s what they thought success looked like. They would judge their abilities based on other women in the room and were afraid to stand out and move differently. They lost sight of the magical connection between their body, the music, and the women around them and just living as their best selves in the moment.
At BootyMix, rather than focusing on the moves, we allow ourselves to get lost in the music and express ourselves in whatever way feels freeing. The goal is to walk away from each class feeling more accepting of the women you see in the mirror and belief in your own ability and skill to conquer your biggest, boldest dreams. This fills you with confidence that you can take with you through your life and gives you permission to stand out unapologetically. It helps you realize that there’s so much more to you than how society has labeled you and that there are others that feel the same way you do.
We want to help create a world where there is no box. No labels. Just people. A world where it doesn’t always have to be pretty:
We’re releasing our pain and breaking through walls; we’re cursing, screaming, crying, laughing, doing whatever it takes to find ourselves. We’re taking up space. We’re wearing those short shorts; we’re ripping our shirts off and swinging them in the air cuz we really don’t care! We’re giving ourselves permission to be free, messy, vulnerable, loud, obnoxious, crazy. Permission to do whatever we need to do to find ourselves. Permission to be.
Our mascara is runny, our hair is ridiculous, our moves are outrageous, and we love it!
How do you define success?
Success is always choosing to continue. There will always be another mountain to climb, just as there will be another misstep that takes you for a tumble, but success is knowing that regardless of what happens, you still believe in yourself and your ability to make it through.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bootymixfitness.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/bootymixfitness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bootymixfitness
