THRIVE THROUGH THE EVERYDAY: Amy Bream, Adaptive Athlete

@onelegtostandon

About me: I was born in Pennsylvania and have lived in Nashville for about 7 years. I’m an adaptive athlete on a journey of self confidence and pushing boundaries.

My fitness journey

I moved to Nashville 7 years ago to work in music. The first few years here were difficult. I was figuring things out and didn’t feel like I was thriving. I worked in different jobs and realized I wasn't enjoying what I was doing. I had this idea of what I wanted, but the reality wasn't actually fulfilling. So in 2017, I went back to the drawing board.

I began my fitness journey with kickboxing. I was a member at a boxing gym, and then began working there first part-time, then full-time. I started to do things that used to be impossible for me. It was the first time I enjoyed working out and wasn’t feeling down on myself. A trainer taught me how to kick, it took months, and, initially, I didn't think it was possible for me with one leg. Once I did it, I thought about how much I have been saying no to and I chose to stop being afraid of being bad at things.

Adaptive athletics

In 2020, I got my running blade and started running for the first time, which has been super difficult but also amazing. Then in 2021, an adaptive athlete reached out to let me know that Crossfit was having its first ever Adaptive Games. CrossFit includes everything from swimming to cardio. I submitted to the online workouts in March, and in August, I was competing in the first adaptive competition.

As well as CrossFit, I recently competed in the WheelWod games. It’s an adaptive only competition founded by 3 athletes who saw a need to create a space for adaptive athletes to grow and learn from each other. It’s unique with 11 divisions, and each division is divided according to adaptation. I won my first division. It was amazing to see 50 adaptive athletes together in one place, it was such an encouraging environment.

Thrive through the everyday

People think thriving means huge jumps and lofty goals. But even though I had an incredible experience at the CrossFit games recently, that was just 5 days out of 365. What matters most is what you are doing in the day to day; that’s mundane and small that builds to create the big moments.

Thriving is about more than just getting by, you can choose what you want and take steps towards it. While you do that, enjoy the small everyday moments.

Initially, I’d felt inadequate, but I’d made the journey to believing in myself and I managed to become an athlete.

Going viral

The last event of the CrossFit games in August was one of the most life changing and hardest. I lifted a weight that was a personal record for me. I’d never done it before and there was a lot of emotion. Initially, I’d felt inadequate, but I’d made the journey to believing in myself and I managed to do it. CrossFit caught this moment on camera and it went viral, it totally blew up my Instagram account. Seven years ago, I used to tell people “I'm the least athletic person you will meet,” but now this video is part of an ESPN commercial and it's so surreal!

Healthy glowing skin

Right now my skin is the healthiest it's ever been. People don’t assume that when you workout all the time. I've used FRÉ since 2018 and I’ve noticed such a difference. Plus, the more FRÉ products I've added, the better my skin has become. I used to wear foundation and my skin would get rough while I was sweating. GLOW ME has been so great to keep my skin healthy and clear.

I've used FRÉ since 2018 and I’ve noticed such a difference.

The brand new I AM PURE soap bar is now one of my favorite products. I’m not usually a bar person but my skin has cleared even more since I started using it. I love the whole I AM line, especially for the winter. I start my day with that. GLOW ME is my favorite product overall. I use it whether I work out or not and I no longer use foundation. To and from the gym, I use REFRESH ME. At night, I use the 123FRÉ Set and RECOVER ME.

Rapid Fire:

• Favorite exercise? Burpies
• What does sweat mean to you? Working hard
• What comes to mind first when you think of FRÉ? Healthy
• What are you most excited about in life right now? Enjoying where I’m at and continuing to grow
• What’s something you’d still love to learn? Snowboarding
• If you were a hashtag, what would you be? #livebyexample
• What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received in your life? Don't let fear of failure or what others think change your habits or goals.
• What is an issue that you wish we spoke about more often? Adaptive athletics, and creating more spaces where adaptive athletes can meet and compete.
• What does women’s empowerment mean in 2021? Finding strength to build each other up.
• What are your dreams for the FRÉ community? To keep expanding the product line! But beyond that, the community is unique and there is such a feeling of support. It feels deeper than just skincare. I really resonate with the other members of the community and that speaks volumes about the brand.