Aerial Dance Instructor Amanda is an (almost) 39-year-old woman of many talents! Not only does she work full time as an executive assistant at Thrivent, but she’s a van driver for a tornado-chasing company, a photographer, and a bartender. Even with all that on her plate, Instructor Amanda somehow still has enough energy to lead a mean dance cardio at the end of the day! Read on to learn more about what makes Instructor Amanda tick! 

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. 

A: Both of my parents live in Appleton and I’m close with them. You’ll

see them present at most Aerial Dance performances! I have one chicken (Lee Lee), a rabbit (Bonnie), and a cat who isn’t technically mine (she’s my roommate’s) but she has bonded to me

and definitely thinks she’s mine.I’m lucky to have some great friends who I get to call my family. I think family is often chosen.

Q: How and when did you first get started with pole/aerials?

A:  I started in April, 2019 with Pole, and I also dabbled in Hoop at the time! I

wanted something fun to do after going through aggressive cancer

treatment. I wanted to prove a doctor wrong who told me that she didn’t

think I’d be able to exercise again after my cancer treatment.

Q: Tell us about the first class you took. What was it like?

A: My very first experience was with Intro to Aerial, where we did Silks,

Hammock, and Hoop. I remember thinking….this is HARD. But I’m going

to challenge myself to do this!

Q: How do you handle days when your own progress is slow?

A: Take a break for a day or two and try again! Overtraining is real, and your

body needs time to rest and recuperate too. Also, work on perfecting

something you are really good at in the meantime if you’ve been struggling

on a different move. It will boost your confidence.

Q: Do you ever get hit with imposter syndrome? How do you handle it?

A Oh…all the time. When teaching, there are times students can nail a move

better than I can. Remind yourself that everyone has something they’re

good at that others may find they struggle with. And remember that you

are on your own journey-you are not in competition with anyone else!

Q: What’s your favorite performance memory?

A:  I was performing in the show as a student 4 years ago, and my best friend

had passed away a few days prior. Going to show practices and the studio

made me feel normal and helped me heal. At dress rehearsal my group

gave me flowers and showered me with so much love.

Q: If you had a walk-up song, what would it be?

A: I’m a bit of an old soul, so I’d say “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary

Goes)” by Edison Lighthouse. Most of you will probably not know this song

as it’s from the early 70s, but I feel like I relate to the girl being talked

about in it.