We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda Riley Ferree. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda Riley below.

Amanda Riley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents are a vital part of my success and inspiration. They really shaped and molded who I am today. Starting off in the early stages of my modeling career, my dad, not only was he my manager, but he was my number one fan, guide and mentor through all of the hurdles in such a challenging industry. My mom, th angel and powerhouse of a saint that she is, has been the person in my life who has taught me that I am capable of 100 times more than what I think I am. She taught me that there’s no limit, and that I can accomplish anything that I want. My dad taught me the three Ps, professional, polite, and punctual. My mom taught me leadership and why it’s important to be a contribution. Between the two of them, I owe them all of my success and unwavering commitment to wanting to make a difference in the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

This all started when I was 14 and got into modeling. At a young age I knew exactly what I wanted my life to look like. I had a one year plan, a five year plan, a 10 and 20 year plan. I knew I wanted to make a difference in the world and I knew that I was going to utilize the modeling industry to build a network and community of people to build a company that would make a difference and be a contribution. So that one day when I’m 4o years old, I’d sell ownership in my company to open up my pink bakery, have a few babies running around and live by the beach. I always had a really clear vision of what I wanted, and that has been my Northstar since I could remember.

I saw the gap in my friends and other kids around me at a young age with where they were in their life and what they wanted. I wanted to create a company that could not only give them support and confidence in their goals and their life, but also inspire them in a fun way where life didn’t have to seem so daunting and challenging, but rather exciting and full of adventure.

LOAR was originally an accountability coaching mobile app. With the commitment to transforming and inspiring generations, to living the life of their dreams with confidence and ease in a fun and creative way. We quickly learned that in order to make a difference, we would need to pivot and build a platform of creative community building events. That’s when BEST LIFE was born. BEST LIFE is a series of in person, workshops, events, and online community building calls to support members in accomplishing any goal. Our VISION THREADS workshop is a three hour community building experience where you get to turn your yearly bucket list into a wearable piece of clothing from second hand, graphics, and logos. Turning you into a walking vision board of your goals.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I think my resilience is a true testament to my success and overall outlook on life. Overcoming these hurdles and stereotypes in the modeling industry from a crippling eating disorder to the loss of my dad, my resilience showed up and kept me going. Six months after I left my agency in New York, and chose to focus on my health and overcome these eating disorders, I got rid of one of the most unhealthy and hardest habits to break and was able to not only gave my health back, but lose 40 pounds and maintain my mental and physical health. Six months after my dad passed away, we launched the LOAR app.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

During this massive pivot from a accountability coaching up to where we are now, is where my cofounder and business partner came in to play. Darren was originally one of the head LOAR coaches and a vital contribution to the company. One day I called Darren and said “Darren, I’m stuck I don’t know what to do…” He said “build a product that they want not what you think they need.”

I owe a lot of the success to Darren. His partnership, his flexibility and patience has been the key component to this series of transformation in the company.

Darren and I met in a program called team. A transformative self development course where you get support building a project of your choice. I quickly knew from the moment I met Darren, how powerful, smart, and wise of a human he is. His commitment to not only being a contribution for humanity but our planet is very evident and without him, I’m not sure where this company would be now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.loar.life
• Instagram: instagram.com/lifeofamandariley

Image Credits
Lexus Gallegos