While I was with my mom this weekend, I told her that I can’t believe any of this is happening. I’m actually typing this while ugly crying on the train (sorry woman next to me, I’m really okay).
Some days I feel so undeserving to have been selected and out of hundreds of people across the city, here I am sitting in the top three for an honor that truly gives me goosebumps to think that I could win the title of THEE Health Hero in Philadelphia.
Little ole me, Amanda from Lansdale who in reality is on paper “obese” and doesn’t look the part of “fitness” beast what so ever. My dear friend Pam Kline Bateman nominated me for this award and shared her submission form with me. “Amanda pushes me and others in her path to push towards a healthy lifestyle no matter what size or shape we come in.... she demonstrates “no man left behind” and stretching outside ones comfort zone. She will always share that she doesn’t have the preconceived body shape of an athlete, but her spirit has carried her through 6 marathons (and now IRONMAN!!)”
To be a health hero or leader in general, you need to lead by example. Sometime example means more than being the fastest, the strongest, the skinniest. My junior and senior year of college I was Loyola’s
soccer captain. Guess how many games I played in over those two years... maybe 10. Despite limited time on the field, I still earned the respect from my coaches and teammates that I’m a leader by example, by trust and through heart.
As a little girl, I was my soccer team captain for Bucks Mont United and I thrived off of the fact that people looked at me for encouragement, words of advise, or to be that teammate to kick everyone in the ass when we needed it. Those 22 girls hold such a special place in my heart to this day and that team is what molded me into the woman I am today.
Over the last 32 years, motivating, inspiring and encouraging humans has just been within my blood, it’s my DNA. Nothing makes me happier than seeing Someone become the best version of themselves and truly understanding how much of a badass they are. It motivates ME knowing I’m inspiring YOU and making you want to be better humans. I’m the prime example that just because you look a certain way doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish big SCARY goals (a 5k without stopping, a marathon, a triathlon!!) Lead by example because you never truly know who’s watching.
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