Many world-class opponents are die-hard athletes who dreamed about profitable championship titles for years. Amy Bream isn’t one among them. A self-admitted “non-athlete” for almost all of her life, Bream spent her youthful years finding out music quite than taking part in sports activities. Nevertheless, when circumstances unexpectedly aligned, she noticed a chance to channel her aggressive spirit into an outlet she possible by no means anticipated.
Bream was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) — a uncommon congenital dysfunction that resulted in lacking the vast majority of her proper leg. The decided athlete hasn’t let that come wherever near stopping her, as she’s been a high contender within the CrossFit Video games Decrease Extremity Adaptive division since its inception in 2021.
Bream has positioned fifth, third, and fourth on the CrossFit Video games (2021, 2022, 2023 respectively) and she or he continues coaching and competing internationally. Just some weeks after the 2023 Video games, we had a chance to get her concepts about CrossFit training, the way forward for the Adaptive division, and tips on how to shock your self with success after first getting your self uncomfortable.
Breaking Muscle: You truly began in a boxing fitness center earlier than moving into weight coaching. How’d you begin there and find yourself right here?
Amy Bream: I didn’t used to exercise a lot. Positively not in public or something like that. So I began boxing in 2015. It wasn’t sparring or something, it was extra of a gaggle health form of factor. After which I picked up my first barbell in 2019.
In that fitness center, they began a weight coaching class. It was like purposeful health, however I began to perform a little little bit of power and conditioning. Once I came upon CrossFit had Adaptive divisions in 2021, January of 2021 is definitely once I began making an attempt out CrossFit coaching. I didn’t truly step foot into my first field, although, till the Saturday earlier than I left for my first Video games.
BM: Do you assume you’ll’ve gotten into CrossFit coaching if there wasn’t that avenue to compete?
AB: You understand, that’s a very good query. I don’t know, as a result of I used to be content material with the place I used to be and I used to be content material with the fashion of coaching that I had.
An Adaptive athlete on Instagram reached out to me about it and I actually informed him at first, “Hey, no offense, however I’ve seen CrossFit individuals. I respect it, however y’all are nuts. There’s no manner.” And he was identical to, “I really feel such as you would reply fairly properly to it,” as a result of I had been posting about my health journey as much as that time.
He mentioned, “You will have a few months to coach. What’s the worst that may occur? You possibly can strive it and hate it, and then you definitely simply cease.” I spotted that was a very good level. I’ve a aggressive character. At that time, I didn’t notice fairly the extent of it as a result of I’d by no means competed in something bodily.
I feel I used to be much like individuals who aren’t in CrossFit and simply have these stigmas of their thoughts of what it was or what it seemed like. You understand, the quote-unquote “haters.” Then I began doing it and I used to be identical to, “Oh.” I perceive why these stigmas are there, however that is nothing like that and I truly cherished it.
BM: That does convey up one matter that the “haters,” or the critics, have. They think about ‘CrossFit coaching’ totally different from ‘coaching for CrossFit.’ They’ll say, “The individuals on the Video games don’t practice CrossFit.” However, do you? Is there a distinction?
AB: I feel there’s a distinction in that, clearly once you’re becoming it right into a CrossFit class, you’ll be able to solely have a lot intentionality at sure issues. It is vitally comparable. You might be the very best athlete on this planet and go take a CrossFit class and get your butt kicked. As a result of you’ll be able to push to no matter depth degree that you just’re personally at.
Clearly in case you’re an individual that’s simply trying to usually get a little bit bit healthier and also you’re taking a CrossFit class, you’re not going to do it with the identical method and intentionality. It’s simple to say, “Oh, they’ve that motion, however I’m going to scale.” When you don’t have a ability, you really want to place in some additional time outdoors of the category in an effort to construct it.
You possibly can’t realistically count on to be taught all of those new issues inside an hour class, three to 4 instances every week. That’s simply not going to occur. There’s too many issues to be taught. So I feel the content material of a CrossFit class is similar to what competing athletes expertise. They only method it with a distinct intent they usually’ll do extra of that.
BM: Earlier this yr, you grew to become a full-time athlete. What does that appear to be? Are you doing two-a-days six days every week, or what?
AB: It is dependent upon the season of coaching. Main as much as the Video games, sure, that’s what I used to be doing. And my coaching remains to be not as intense as you’ll say for the elite Particular person division. Adaptive divisions are a little bit bit totally different. And likewise, what my physique can bodily deal with on my one leg is a little bit bit totally different, as properly. So I’m fairly acutely aware of that.
However I used to be undoubtedly within the fitness center 4 to 5 hours a day, six days every week. It was nonetheless fairly intense. I began at that boxing fitness center for enjoyable, finally began working there part-time, after which grew to become operations director of their three areas right here in Nashville. So I’ve executed that full-time for about six years now.
And I stepped again and went to part-time a very good little bit of this yr to make extra room for coaching. As that stored progressing, it grew to become fairly clear. If I wish to do different issues and attempt to develop my very own issues on the aspect, there’s simply no manner I can have each. So I made some fairly distinct selections and I used to be truly nonetheless coaching lessons there, simply because I really like teaching, all through the summer time alongside my coaching. I had given them a heads up that I wouldn’t be returning after the Video games. So yeah, life could be very totally different now.
BM: So now, do you’ve gotten an offseason? There’s the Video games and the Open, however are there different competitions you participate in? I do know WheelWod is one. What does your yr appear to be?
AB: Technically talking, the offseason is now [September]. I’ll say, it’s a little bit bit totally different. There are all the time different competitions you’ll be able to expertise. With the non-adaptive divisions, loads of them are doing the Rogue Invitational on the finish of October. And there might be ones right here and there, like Wodapalooza and issues.
However these competitions, you care about competing and also you’re going to be in form for it, but it surely’s not fairly as intense because the CrossFit Video games. I’d say, the season of what individuals see is beginning with the CrossFit Open, normally in February, and also you simply hold progressing by qualifiers to attempt to make it to the Video games. So in case you’re in that loop, it simply will get increasingly more intense. After which lockdown season is the top of Could up till the Video games in August.
One factor that I do form of want is that there was a little bit bit extra cohesiveness with Adaptive divisions. It’s been my expertise that Adaptive competitions are rising, which is nice. But it surely’s not precisely on the identical schedule because the Video games. So I truly go away to compete in Australia in just below three weeks. And I’m taking a distinct mentality. My physique remains to be recovering proper now. I took it as a result of I really need the expertise and I’d like to be in Australia and do all of these issues.
But additionally, loads of the adaptive competitions are in the direction of the top of the yr and the technical non-adaptive division begins up to start with of the yr. So I don’t really feel like I’ve a lot respiratory room as a result of I compete about each three months regardless. However, once more, for this season it’s working.
BM: In your thoughts, or in your ear, is there a distinction between being known as an “Adaptive athlete” versus “an athlete?”
AB: In concept, I feel there shouldn’t be. I feel, in actuality there’s, if I’m being sincere. And I feel that goes to either side as a result of, if I’m being completely blunt, clearly in case you’re taking a look at competitions just like the Video games, many of the emphasis might be placed on the elite divisions and the divisions that convey probably the most consideration, which I utterly perceive.
On the similar time, I’d prefer to see that shift and develop a little bit bit extra as a result of I feel the opposite divisions may get extra air time and issues. I feel the athletes deserve that, as a result of I feel that there are athletes which can be simply straight-up unimaginable athletes, Adaptive or not, and they need to have a little bit bit extra, I don’t know if the phrase is “respect,” however simply recognition for it.
I don’t assume individuals even notice simply how good loads of adaptive athletes are. And I’m not even being like, “Oh, I’m so good.” I’m simply speaking the game generally. I’ve seen adaptive athletes kick non-adaptive athletes’ ass. It’s for actual.
BM: I imagine it. Casey Acree flew by, undefeated, and it’s crickets. But when an Particular person competitor did that — first place, first place, first place straight by in each occasion — for positive, it’s noticeable.
[Editor’s Note: Casey Acree is a three-time CrossFit Games champion in the Men’s Upper Extremity Adaptive division (2021, 2022, 2023). In both 2022 and 2023, Acree maintained an undefeated winning streak for a total of 25 events, placing first in every workout from the CrossFit Open through to the Games.]
AB: Sure, precisely. And I feel, once more, once you hear “adaptive athlete,” in case you haven’t skilled it and seen it firsthand earlier than, it’s simple to assume in your head what the competitors seems like. However they’re not realizing.
It’s humorous, I’m positive you noticed every thing with Roman [Khrennikov]* this yr. Unbelievable. I don’t wish to take away from that. All of that was unimaginable. Him doing [jump rope] double-unders. I can’t think about the emotional state that he was in. Being in first place and having to go and present up, and all of these issues.
However the crowd was like, “That’s unimaginable!” Which it was. It was. I used to be watching it on-line and I bear in mind at one level, when Roman completed the double-unders after which went to the sled pull, he put his leg down and was pushing off that one leg to tug. The announcer mentioned, “Man, he’s actually acquired to watch out about doing all these actions on one leg.”
And I bear in mind simply stopping and pondering, individuals truly don’t know. He’s doing this exercise and, if I used to be doing this exercise, it’s precisely how I’d be doing it. Double-unders on one leg, they requested me to do this in 2021. We had sled pulls this yr however they didn’t allow us to sit down, so I used to be simply pulling standing up on one leg. Individuals truly don’t know that athletes are competing at a excessive degree and doing all of this stuff simply as he’s. In order that’s the form of factor I simply want individuals noticed extra, truthfully.
And once more, in case you’re not uncovered to it, you’re not uncovered to it. So I do perceive. However my level is, in case you say that you just wish to present an area for adaptive athletes, make individuals uncovered to it. You understand? Let’s go all the best way with it. I’m hoping it simply takes a while, however that it’s going to get to that time.
*[Editor’s Note: Roman Khrennikov was the points leader during the first three days of the 2023 CrossFit Games and appeared on track to win the Individual Men title. However, he suffered a fractured foot during the first event of the competition’s final day and completed the remaining two events primarily on one leg, eventually earning third place.]
BM: For 2024, CrossFit did say they’re going to have all eight Adaptive divisions compete on the Video games — Imaginative and prescient, Quick Stature, Seated with Hip Perform, Seated with out Hip Perform, and Mental, along with Higher Extremity, Decrease Extremity, and Multi Extremity.
AB: Yeah, and I’ve much more confidence that it’s going to change for the higher provided that they’ve made some modifications, staff-wise. To not say something dangerous on what it was, however I personally know the individual that is moving into the function from a programming standpoint.
I’ve been to different competitions the place he’s been over the adaptive elements and it was superbly executed. Not excellent, as a result of adaptive divisions are all the time studying and adjusting, and it may be so messy. However so properly executed. And so the truth that he now has a little bit bit extra management in that offers me confidence.
I’ll say, too, that a few of it’s on the adaptive divisions, as a result of it’s very simple for adaptive athletes to be like, “We would like this, we what this, and we wish this.” For one, I get it, however persistence. And two, be proactive. When you’re complaining about not having illustration, then you ought to be paying to indicate up at these competitions and be within the crowd.
You possibly can’t complain and never do something. If you wish to see change, be part of the change whereas it’s messy.
BM: So, is Adaptive Teen division going to be a factor in 10 or 15 years?
AB: I’d like to see that. I didn’t ever see adaptive athletes once I was a teen. This wasn’t a factor. I’ll say, as messy because it’s been, there’s so many alternatives for adaptive athletes that weren’t a factor once I was a young person. I feel, let’s simply hold it going. Let’s do it whereas it’s messy, even it out, and make room for that sooner or later.
BM: There’s a lot chance on that finish. Proper now, you’re coaching with the East Nashville PRVN team. Are you rubbing elbows with Tia and Shane or is it simply whoever’s round?
AB: Yeah, just about. I imply proper now it’s the offseason so clearly Tia and Shane are in Australia. However yeah, that was a giant hurdle for me simply because I used to be actually intimidated. My first session with them, I assumed I used to be going to be with one individual that I had met and it was simply going to be this quiet little “are you in form or not” factor.
I present up and their complete crew is there. And I used to be like, “Ho-ly crap.” I used to be doing clean & jerks subsequent to Tia simply making an attempt to be as quiet as doable. However yeah, that’s been nice.
BM: How does that work, is it simply sharing a fitness center or sharing programming? What’s the day-to-day like in a crew environment?
AB: That was truly actually totally different than I used to be used to. However yeah, it’s group and crew programming. For me, clearly it was a little bit bit totally different as a result of I don’t have the identical issues as the opposite groups.
Once I joined the crew, either side, myself and them, had been fairly sincere. They had been like, “Hey, we haven’t had an adaptive athlete on the crew earlier than. So that you’re going to have to inform us, as we go, the way you adapt sure actions.” They’d program for the crew and I’d method them and say, “We’re not going to get this motion in a contest” or “I have to develop this power first” or no matter it was, and they’d change it for me from there.
As a crew, you stroll in and clearly everybody’s doing sure actions. They’ll do sure items collectively or everybody’s lifting of their a part of the fitness center. They’ve a crew of athletes, coaches Shane and Dwight, Nick, and some others. Everybody’s simply strolling round.
It’s not fairly one-on-one essentially on a regular basis and it’s not like a fishbowl impact. However you’re doing all your exercise and the coaches will method you to look at sure items. And clearly no matter questions we have now, we go to them they usually’ll assist modify from there.
BM: I noticed that you just lately loved studying “The Battle of Artwork” by Steven Pressfield. Did that click on with you as an athlete or as a musician?
AB: Oh, that’s a very good query. Yeah, I’d say possibly it clicked with me extra as a musician, however I feel it’s coming from that artistic area. It’s very relevant to something. I’m a really logical human being. When you inform me to do one thing, OK, however in case you inform me why I’m doing it and the way it will instantly apply to the larger image, then I’m in.
So, as a musician, I didn’t like training scales for hours, however I’d do it as a result of I felt the approach distinction within the lovely, lyrical music I used to be doing that had technical elements of it. It was very simple for me to make that connection.
However on the subject of one thing that feels larger image and scary, and depends extra on a quote-unquote artistic sense, I’ll distract myself with, “I’ll return to training scales, thanks very a lot.” It’s more durable to have that self-discipline with one thing that’s scary.
For me, that e book simply clicked as a result of, once I learn it, I had plans and I knew that I needed to make modifications in my job. Just because I needed to make room for coaching. But additionally, I’m doing much more talking engagements and simply issues for myself as, for lack of one other manner of claiming it, myself as a model. Simply doing issues that I used to be wanting ahead to, but additionally had been actually scary.
And it’s simple to speak about, however to take a seat down at a pc and make these issues occur was a battle for me for a very long time, as a result of oftentimes I’d really feel overwhelmed and I’d keep away from doing these issues. Studying that e book was simply such a sensible sense for me of making use of one thing that felt form of mystical and making it, “No, sit down. On daily basis. And do it.” I used to be like, oh, OK, it’s like anything. It’s like training scales, however differently.
BM: Talking of your mindset, one among video on the CrossFit Video games YouTube channel is your “Battle for One Extra Rep.” It’s acquired 360,000 views thus far. 20 seconds to go, nonetheless grinding away, you get one final rep.
Once you’re approaching the time cap in an occasion and, to be frank, if it’s clear you’re not going to win the occasion, how do you not simply assume, “Meh, additional relaxation. I’ll wait.” How do you focus for that yet one more rep?
AB: That’s laborious and it is dependent upon what scenario I’m in. However I feel if I’m going into it with the mindset of, it’s about profitable the occasion, then it’s very simple to surrender.
And I’ve gone into occasions earlier than and I see fairly shortly that I’m not going to win it, and I simply wish to shut down. Then the exercise turns into manner worse than it wanted to be as a result of I’m all in my head. However I strive very laborious not make that almost all of the time. Particularly now, having extra competitions and seasoning.
For that specific occasion, I’ll always remember, a few of the video reveals exchanges between me and my coach on the time. And his complete factor that week was “It doesn’t matter what occurs, you’ll give every thing. You’ve earned your proper to be right here. You’ll give every thing that it’s important to show to your self that you just belong. And also you’re not going to crap out now.”
Even earlier than that occasion, I used to be within the again virtually throwing up. I used to be so nervous as a result of I knew the load was a PR for me. I had by no means gotten that over my head at that time earlier than. I actually informed him “I can’t do that. I don’t wish to exit in public and battle, as a result of I do know it’s going to be a battle.” He mentioned, “You’ll struggle for each second. You’ll not give up.” And I used to be like, “OK.”
I feel that’s what resonated with individuals, as a result of lots of people did reply to that video. I imply, I used to be final. It wasn’t about profitable the occasion. It was nearly pushing by. And I feel, too, to not pull this card as a result of generally I feel it may be overused, however I’m very grateful for having one thing that makes me very conscious of what I’ve.
Lacking a leg has made me extra conscious that I’ve three full-functioning limbs that I can use to the fullest. And going to different adaptive competitions and seeing individuals with totally different challenges, and arguably a lot higher challenges than what I expertise, has made me so grateful for what I’ve.
And I feel, to indicate up with an angle like, “Effectively if I’m not gonna win, I’m not gonna do it in any respect,” is only a slap within the face to everybody that may give a lot to have the motion that I’ve. So, yeah, out of respect for myself, however out of respect for these individuals, I’ll all the time make sure that to work my hardest.
BM: What do you assume non-CrossFitters — let’s assume not the “haters,” however the ones which can be truly taken with discovering one thing helpful — what may they get from CrossFit coaching as an entire?
AB: I’d say seeing the significance of staying in line with small issues, the way it contributes to the massive image. As a result of it’s very simple to take a look at individuals doing muscle-ups, in case you’re a first-timer, and say “Effectively, I’m by no means going to do this.”
However you begin with tiny issues. “Effectively, I realized a kip. After which I realized a kipping pull-up. After which I realized a kipping chest-to-bar.” After which a pair months later… Quite than simply shutting it down. Simply do a tiny bit at a time. And that’s so relevant to issues outdoors in life.
I feel additionally, individuals can love or hate this phrase, however “coming into the ache cave.” It is likely one of the hardest issues on this planet to really feel bodily ache, once you’re simply so drained and wish to quit. And the adrenaline you’re feeling, even in case you’re not profitable, however ending one thing.
In 75% of my exercises, I’ll have no less than one level within the exercise pondering “I can’t end this.” However I make myself end, and that adrenaline rush of “I simply did that. I did one thing that I didn’t assume that I may do” has given me a lot confidence and psychological stamina to not quit in different areas of my life.
So once I method my job, it’s like, “That is tiring or that is laborious, however I’ll end it. I’ll accomplish this job.” And that’s so useful in life.
BM: It sounds virtually “meatheady” to say, however there’s a lot carryover from the fitness center to outdoors the fitness center.
AB: Very a lot, yeah. Meathead or not, it’s true.
BM: Is there anything about your background or your experiences that you really want individuals to learn about?
AB: Not essentially. I really like CrossFit, I really like competing. I feel loads of what I wish to proceed to do and I’m form of rising into is, once I speak to individuals, I all the time wish to be relatable. So having individuals perceive I didn’t develop up athletic, that I didn’t develop up having confidence, simply loads of issues.
I feel lots of people can relate to that after they hear “CrossFit,” or perhaps a fitness center setting generally. It’s simply very intimidating. Understand you don’t must look X, Y, Z in an effort to stroll right into a fitness center area. You don’t must wish to compete. You don’t must need any of these issues.
But it surely really could be a life-changing expertise to simply do one thing that you just’re a little bit bit frightened of, and continue to grow in that, and see the place it takes you. Out and in of the fitness center. I do talking engagements, there are issues which can be arising I’m actually enthusiastic about, but it surely all comes from that. Me wanting to speak that thought.
You don’t want stipulations in an effort to begin CrossFit or another sport, or to do issues that scare you. You simply have to be keen to be a little bit bit uncomfortable and to maintain going after you fail.
BM: Excellent. So what’s the very best place for individuals to search out your stuff?
AB: My web site’s simply amybream.com. They will additionally go to onelegtostandon.com, if that’s how they know me. It is going to be each. And naturally my socials, Instagram and TikTok, primarily. Onelegtostandon.
Featured Picture: @onelegtostandon / Instagram
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