We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Uhler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
In 2021, I stood at a crossroads—figuratively and quite literally. I was nearly 300 pounds, physically exhausted, emotionally depleted, and silently carrying around the weight of so many dreams I’d never dared to chase. But deep down, buried beneath layers of self-doubt and fear, was one dream that refused to die: I wanted to compete in a beauty pageant.
It sounded absurd even to me at the time. I had never seen someone who looked like me wear a crown. I wasn’t just battling societal standards—I was battling my own inner narrative that told me I was too far gone, too late, too much. But one day, standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I looked at myself not with criticism but with possibility. For the first time, I whispered to my reflection: “What if?”
That “what if” changed the course of my life.
I decided I was going to take the risk. Not just the risk of entering a pageant someday, but the risk of believing in a future version of myself that didn’t yet exist. I didn’t have a personal trainer. I didn’t have a big plan. All I had was a burning desire to prove to myself that I was worthy of transformation—and that I could finish what I started.
So I began. Small steps. Daily walks. Better food choices. Crying through workouts. Relearning discipline. Forgiving myself when I failed. Recommitting the next morning. Over and over and over again.
There was no instant gratification. No overnight success. This journey stretched over three and a half years. I lost over 160 pounds, but more than that, I shed fear, shame, and the belief that I had to stay small—figuratively and literally.
In 2024, I became Mrs. Florida Universe, and in 2025, I proudly represented Florida at Mrs. Universe USA. But the crown didn’t make me whole. The risk did. The risk of starting. The risk of showing up day after day with no guarantee. The risk of betting on myself.
I’m living proof that it’s never too late to begin again. And sometimes, the scariest risks—the ones that demand everything of us—are the very ones that set us free.
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.
My name is Amber Uhler, and I’m a motivational speaker, advocate, pageant titleholder, and the reigning Mrs. Universe USA 2025. But beyond the crown, I’m a mother of three, a full-time professional in corporate learning and engagement, and a woman who took a life-altering risk to shed over 160 pounds and completely transform her life—inside and out.
My journey into this world didn’t begin with pageants or public stages—it began in 2021, with a whisper of a dream and a deep belief that I was meant for more. At nearly 300 pounds, I had every reason to stay quiet and invisible. But instead, I made the bold choice to rewrite my story. What started as a personal weight loss journey turned into a mission of self-liberation. Through relentless determination and purpose, I lost over 160 pounds in 3.5 years and began competing in pageants—not to win a crown, but to share a message.
That message? You are not too much, and it’s not too late.
Today, I use my platform to speak to audiences across the country about resilience, self-worth, and “shedding limits.” My keynote, titled Shedding Limits, shares how we can let go of the physical, emotional, and mental baggage holding us back—and claim the boldest version of ourselves. I’ve delivered keynote speeches at galas, women’s empowerment summits, conferences, and even TEDx. I also provide coaching, workshops, and corporate talks focused on confidence-building, visibility, and personal transformation.
But my work doesn’t stop there. I’m a passionate advocate for swim safety and drowning prevention—a cause deeply personal to me as a non-fatal drowning survivor. In 2022, I saved a child from drowning, and in 2024, I successfully advocated for legislation (Florida SB544) that now provides free swim lessons for children under five in the state of Florida. I collaborate with international water safety organizations to raise awareness and inspire action.
What sets me apart is the lived experience behind my message. I don’t speak from theory—I speak from the trenches. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, to doubt your worth, to wonder if your best days are behind you. And I know what it’s like to fight your way to freedom and find purpose in your pain.
At the heart of everything I do—whether onstage, in a boardroom, or at a community event—is this mission: to help people believe in the power of their story, show up as their fullest selves, and know that reinvention is always possible.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the crown or the titles—it’s the impact. It’s the women who email me after a talk to say they’ve found their courage. It’s the parents who now understand the importance of swim safety. It’s the ripple effect of being brave enough to be visible.
If there’s one thing I want followers, clients, or potential partners to know, it’s this: My brand is built on authenticity, heart, and the belief that possibility lives on the other side of fear. Whether you’re looking for a speaker, a collaborator, or just a bit of hope—I’m here to remind you that you are powerful, worthy, and more than capable of becoming everything you’ve dreamed of.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
There’s one moment that will always stand out as a turning point in my journey—a moment that, at the time, felt like absolute rock bottom, but in hindsight became the fuel that lit the fire of my transformation.
A few years ago, I took my kids to a trampoline park. It was supposed to be a fun day, full of laughter and memories. But then I made the decision to jump into the foam pit. It didn’t cross my mind that I might not be able to get out. I didn’t realize how much my weight was limiting me until I was waist-deep in that pit, completely stuck. I tried everything to pull myself out—pushing, grabbing, crawling—but my body simply wouldn’t cooperate. I was sweating, panicking, humiliated. Eventually, it took three people to pull me out. I had a full-blown panic attack right there in front of my children and dozens of strangers. I smiled and laughed it off, but inside, I was broken. I felt like I had failed not just myself, but the future version of me I always hoped I’d become.
But here’s the thing about hitting a low point—it gives you two choices: stay there, or rise.
That moment didn’t spark an overnight transformation. What it did do was wake me up. I realized I wasn’t living—I was surviving. And I was done just surviving.
I committed to change. Not a crash diet, not a quick fix—real change. Over the next 3.5 years, I lost over 160 pounds. I did it quietly, with small daily wins, with setbacks and tears and grit. And eventually, I made a decision that felt just as impossible as getting out of that foam pit once had: I entered a beauty pageant. I didn’t just compete—I won. I became Mrs. Florida Universe 2024, and then Mrs. Universe USA 2025.
But the most powerful moment wasn’t winning the crown. It was going back to that same trampoline park. I stood at the edge of the foam pit—this time with strength, confidence, and joy—and I jumped. And when I say I flew, I mean it. I leapt into that pit with my kids cheering and climbed out just as easily. That was my full-circle moment. The pit that once trapped me became proof of how far I’d come.
To me, resilience isn’t about being fearless or perfect. It’s about showing up every day for yourself, even when it’s hard. It’s about choosing to rise—again and again—until you become the person you were always meant to be.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2021, I found myself at a personal and professional crossroads. I had spent years building a steady career and raising three children, but behind the scenes, I was battling burnout, exhaustion, and the quiet ache of unfulfilled dreams. I had always been the cheerleader for others—supporting teams, lifting up my family, encouraging friends—but somewhere along the way, I had stopped cheering for myself.
That year, I decided to pivot—not just in my health, but in my identity. I made the bold and, frankly, terrifying decision to step into the world of pageantry. I wasn’t doing it for the crown—I was doing it for the courage. I wanted to prove to myself that I could still become the woman I once dreamed of being. This meant embarking on a massive personal transformation: I committed to a 3.5-year journey that would result in a 160-pound weight loss, a complete lifestyle overhaul, and, most importantly, a rebirth of my purpose.
That pivot didn’t just change my body—it changed the course of my life. I found my voice as a motivational speaker. I stepped into the spotlight not only as a titleholder, but as an advocate for drowning prevention and mental resilience. I launched my platform Shedding Limits, which now allows me to inspire others on stage, in boardrooms, and through national media.
Most people think a pivot means abandoning one thing for another. For me, it meant coming home to myself. I didn’t leave my past behind—I built on it. And now, as Mrs. Universe USA 2025, a speaker, a mother, and an advocate, I can say that the greatest pivot I ever made wasn’t about changing direction. It was about finally choosing my direction.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amberuhler.com
- Instagram: MrsUniverseUSA2025
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-u-b36048171/
Image Credits
Hair / Makeup: William Huertas / Marcos Gabriel
Photo cred: Carlos Velez