We recently connected with Amanda Boike and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Before I landed in my profession as a Fitness Trainer, I was considering a career as a dancer. Fresh out of high school, I was quite shy and overall unsure of myself, and while I knew I loved dancing, auditioning was something that I wanted to nothing to do with. I couldn’t stand the thought of rejection.

During my first year of college, there was an audition that came up for a touring ensemble and three of my friends were going together. When they told me, I remember thinking to myself, “there is no way I would ever go to that. I am not good enough to be in the same room as them!” After what was essentially some peer pressure by my friends, I decided to go to the audition. Anxious and unsure, I showed up anyway; I danced with everything I had, and as it turned out, I was selected for their upcoming tour. I packed up my entire life and spent three months on the road experiencing the thrill of performing in front of thousands of people. Those days of my life were truly unforgettable, and I met some of my closest friends and most important mentors in those years to follow. Those relationships undoubtably influenced the trajectory of my career.

Showing up that day changed my life, and the big lesson I learned: Just get in the room! Even when the voice in your head tries to tell you that you don’t belong, allow yourself to be seen and be open to the possibilities that may be on the other side.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Amanda Boike Fitness blends science-backed training with compassionate coaching to help individuals build lean muscle, move with ease, and age with confidence- without the burnout.

Before founding my business, I worked as a group fitness instructor. I loved the energy and connection of group classes, but the one-size-fits-all approach left me wanting to do more. I became a personal trainer to offer the individualized support I knew people needed. My first client was an acquaintance who had recently left her trainer after feeling dismissed and judged- her workouts were actually making her aches and pains worse. Because we had an existing relationship, she decided to give it another shot with me. From there, my business grew through word-of-mouth referrals from clients, massage therapists, and fellow trainers.

Today, my approach is gentle yet results-driven, redefining what’s possible for those in midlife and beyond. As one client put it, “Amanda is changing my sense of what’s possible in terms of thriving as I get older.”

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea that workouts have to be intense to be effective. Early in my fitness journey- especially coming from a dance and group fitness background- I thought a workout only counted if I was drenched in sweat and completely exhausted. But I started to realize that what I thought was good for me wasn’t actually feeling good. I was constantly feeling depleted, dealt with chronic low back pain, and was stuck in a cycle of going hard for a few weeks, then needing time off to recover. And I was only in my mid-20s!

That mindset led to burnout and frustration, so I started exploring a gentler, more sustainable approach to my training. I discovered that smart, targeted movement can do far more for your body than just pushing to the max. Now, I help my clients build strength without wearing themselves down. And the results speak for themselves.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Believing in yourself is the key to success in any field. It might sound cliché, but building a strong relationship with yourself- knowing your values, trusting your instincts, and learning to be your own cheerleader- makes all the difference. Entrepreneurship comes with highs and lows, and being your own rock through it all is essential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amboike.com
• Facebook: Amanda Boike Fitness

Image Credits

Afterglo Studio
Gabriela Chavez
A. Deran Photography