Many world-class rivals are die-hard athletes who dreamed about profitable championship titles for years. Amy Bream isn’t one in every of them. A self-admitted “non-athlete” for almost all of her life, Bream spent her youthful years learning music reasonably than taking part in sports activities. Nevertheless, when circumstances unexpectedly aligned, she noticed a possibility to channel her aggressive spirit into an outlet she doubtless 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 prime 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 he or she continues coaching and competing internationally. Just some weeks after the 2023 Video games, we had a possibility 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 gymnasium earlier than stepping into weight coaching. How’d you begin there and find yourself right here?
Amy Bream: I didn’t used to exercise a lot. Undoubtedly 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 sort of factor. After which I picked up my first barbell in 2019.
In that gymnasium, they began a weight coaching class. It was like practical health, however I began to do some 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 suppose you’d’ve gotten into CrossFit coaching if there wasn’t that avenue to compete?
AB: You realize, that’s 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 instructed him at first, “Hey, no offense, however I’ve seen CrossFit individuals. I respect it, however y’all are nuts. There’s no means.” And he was similar to, “I really feel such as you would reply fairly nicely to it,” as a result of I had been posting about my health journey as much as that time.
He mentioned, “You could have a few months to coach. What’s the worst that may occur? You’ll be able to strive it and hate it, and you then simply cease.” I spotted that was 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 just 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 realize, the quote-unquote “haters.” Then I began doing it and I used to be similar to, “Oh.” I perceive why these stigmas are there, however that is nothing like that and I truly beloved it.
BM: That does carry up one subject that the “haters,” or the critics, have. They think about ‘CrossFit coaching’ completely different from ‘coaching for CrossFit.’ They’ll say, “The individuals on the Video games don’t prepare CrossFit.” However, do you? Is there a distinction?
AB: I feel there’s a distinction in that, clearly while you’re becoming it right into a CrossFit class, you may solely have a lot intentionality at sure issues. It is extremely comparable. You will be the perfect athlete on the earth and go take a CrossFit class and get your butt kicked. As a result of you may push to no matter depth degree that you just’re personally at.
Clearly if you happen to’re an individual that’s simply trying to typically get a little bit bit fitter and also you’re taking a CrossFit class, you’re not going to do it with the identical strategy and intentionality. It’s simple to say, “Oh, they’ve that motion, however I’m going to scale.” In case you don’t have a talent, you really want to place in some additional time outdoors of the category with a view to construct it.
You’ll be able to’t realistically anticipate to study all of those new issues inside an hour class, three to 4 occasions per week. That’s simply not going to occur. There’s too many issues to study. So I feel the content material of a CrossFit class is similar to what competing athletes expertise. They simply strategy it with a unique intent they usually’ll do extra of that.
BM: Earlier this 12 months, you grew to become a full-time athlete. What does that appear to be? Are you doing two-a-days six days per week, or what?
AB: It is determined by 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’d say for the elite Particular person division. Adaptive divisions are a little bit bit completely different. And likewise, what my physique can bodily deal with on my one leg is a little bit bit completely different, as nicely. So I’m fairly acutely aware of that.
However I used to be undoubtedly within the gymnasium 4 to 5 hours a day, six days per week. It was nonetheless fairly intense. I began at that boxing gymnasium for enjoyable, ultimately began working there part-time, after which grew to become operations director of their three areas right here in Nashville. So I’ve completed that full-time for about six years now.
And I stepped again and went to part-time little bit of this 12 months 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 facet, there’s simply no means I can have each. So I made some fairly distinct choices and I used to be truly nonetheless coaching lessons there, simply because I really like teaching, all through the summer season alongside my coaching. I had given them a heads up that I wouldn’t be returning after the Video games. So yeah, life may be very completely different now.
BM: So now, do you’ve 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 12 months appear to be?
AB: Technically talking, the offseason is now [September]. I’ll say, it’s a little bit bit completely different. There are all the time different competitions you may expertise. With the non-adaptive divisions, a number of them are doing the Rogue Invitational on the finish of October. And there will likely 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 way of qualifiers to attempt to make it to the Video games. So if you happen to’re in that loop, it simply will get increasingly more intense. After which lockdown season is the tip of Might up till the Video games in August.
One factor that I do sort 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. Nevertheless it’s not precisely on the identical schedule because the Video games. So I truly depart to compete in Australia in slightly below three weeks. And I’m taking a unique 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 in addition, a number of the adaptive competitions are in direction of the tip of the 12 months and the technical non-adaptive division begins up to start with of the 12 months. 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 principle, I feel there shouldn’t be. I feel, in actuality there’s, if I’m being trustworthy. And I feel that goes to either side as a result of, if I’m being completely blunt, clearly if you happen to’re competitions just like the Video games, a lot of the emphasis will likely be placed on the elite divisions and the divisions that carry probably the most consideration, which I utterly perceive.
On the identical 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 might 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 suppose individuals even notice simply how good a number of adaptive athletes are. And I’m not even being like, “Oh, I’m so good.” I’m simply speaking the game basically. I’ve seen adaptive athletes kick non-adaptive athletes’ ass. It’s for actual.
BM: I imagine it. Casey Acree flew by way of, undefeated, and it’s crickets. But when an Particular person competitor did that — first place, first place, first place straight by way of 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, while you hear “adaptive athlete,” if you happen to haven’t skilled it and seen it firsthand earlier than, it’s simple to suppose in your head what the competitors appears to be like like. However they’re not realizing.
It’s humorous, I’m positive you noticed all the pieces with Roman [Khrennikov]* this 12 months. Unimaginable. 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 keep 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 bought to watch out about doing all these actions on one leg.”
And I keep 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 12 months however they didn’t allow us to sit down, so I used to be simply pulling standing up on one leg. Folks 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 sort of factor I simply want individuals noticed extra, actually.
And once more, if you happen to’re not uncovered to it, you’re not uncovered to it. So I do perceive. However my level is, if you happen to say that you just wish to present an area for adaptive athletes, make individuals uncovered to it. You realize? Let’s go all the way in which 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, Brief Stature, Seated with Hip Operate, Seated with out Hip Operate, 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 adjustments, staff-wise. To not say something dangerous on what it was, however I personally know the person who is entering into the position from a programming standpoint.
I’ve been to different competitions the place he’s been over the adaptive components and it was fantastically completed. Not good, as a result of adaptive divisions are all the time studying and adjusting, and it may be so messy. However so nicely completed. 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. In case you’re complaining about not having illustration, then you need to be paying to indicate up at these competitions and be within the crowd.
You’ll be able to’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 risk 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 believed 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 entire 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 potential. However yeah, that’s been nice.
BM: How does that work, is it simply sharing a gymnasium or sharing programming? What’s the day-to-day like in a crew ambiance?
AB: That was truly actually completely 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 completely 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 trustworthy. 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 strategy them and say, “We’re not going to get this motion in a contest” or “I must 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 gymnasium. 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 of your exercise and the coaches will strategy you to look at sure items. And clearly no matter questions we’ve, we go to them they usually’ll assist regulate from there.
BM: I noticed that you just just lately loved studying “The Warfare of Artwork” by Steven Pressfield. Did that click on with you as an athlete or as a musician?
AB: Oh, that’s query. Yeah, I’d say perhaps 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. In case you inform me to do one thing, OK, however if you happen to inform me why I’m doing it and the way it will straight apply to the larger image, then I’m in.
So, as a musician, I didn’t like practising scales for hours, however I’d do it as a result of I felt the approach distinction within the stunning, lyrical music I used to be doing that had technical features of it. It was very simple for me to make that connection.
However with regards to one thing that feels greater image and scary, and depends extra on a quote-unquote artistic sense, I’ll distract myself with, “I’ll return to practising scales, thanks very a lot.” It’s tougher 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 adjustments in my job. Just because I needed to make room for coaching. But in addition, I’m doing much more talking engagements and simply issues for myself as, for lack of one other means of claiming it, myself as a model. Simply doing issues that I used to be wanting ahead to, but in addition had been actually scary.
And it’s simple to speak about, however to sit down down at a pc and make these issues occur was a wrestle 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 sort of mystical and making it, “No, sit down. Day by day. And do it.” I used to be like, oh, OK, it’s like the rest. It’s like practising scales, however otherwise.
BM: Talking of your mindset, one in every of video on the CrossFit Video games YouTube channel is your “Combat for One Extra Rep.” It’s bought 360,000 views to this point. 20 seconds to go, nonetheless grinding away, you get one final rep.
If 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 suppose, “Meh, additional relaxation. I’ll wait.” How do you focus for that another rep?
AB: That’s arduous and it is determined by what state of affairs I’m in. However I feel if I am 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 rapidly that I’m not going to win it, and I simply wish to shut down. Then the exercise turns into means worse than it wanted to be as a result of I’m all in my head. However I strive very arduous 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 entire factor that week was “It doesn’t matter what occurs, you’ll give all the pieces. You’ve earned your proper to be right here. You’ll give all the pieces that you must 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 nearly throwing up. I used to be so nervous as a result of I knew the burden was a PR for me. I had by no means gotten that over my head at that time earlier than. I actually instructed him “I can’t do that. I don’t wish to exit in public and wrestle, as a result of I do know it’s going to be a wrestle.” He mentioned, “You’ll battle 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 way of. 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 completely 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, “Nicely 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 ensure that to work my hardest.
BM: What do you suppose non-CrossFitters — let’s assume not the “haters,” however the ones which might be truly all for discovering one thing helpful — what may they get from CrossFit coaching as an entire?
AB: I’d say seeing the significance of staying in keeping with small issues, the way it contributes to the large image. As a result of it’s very simple to have a look at individuals doing muscle-ups, if you happen to’re a first-timer, and say “Nicely, I’m by no means going to do this.”
However you begin with tiny issues. “Nicely, I discovered a kip. After which I discovered a kipping pull-up. After which I discovered a kipping chest-to-bar.” After which a pair months later… Somewhat 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 “getting into the ache cave.” It is among the hardest issues on the earth to really feel bodily ache, while you’re simply so drained and wish to hand over. And the adrenaline you are feeling, even if you happen to’re not profitable, however ending one thing.
In 75% of my exercises, I’ll have at the least 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 suppose that I may do” has given me a lot confidence and psychological stamina to not hand over in different areas of my life.
So once I strategy my job, it’s like, “That is tiring or that is arduous, however I’ll end it. I’ll accomplish this activity.” And that’s so useful in life.
BM: It sounds nearly “meatheady” to say, however there’s a lot carryover from the gymnasium to outdoors the gymnasium.
AB: Very a lot, yeah. Meathead or not, it’s true.
BM: Is there the rest about your background or your experiences that you really want individuals to find out about?
AB: Not essentially. I really like CrossFit, I really like competing. I feel a number of what I wish to proceed to do and I’m sort of rising into is, once I discuss 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 a number of issues.
I feel lots of people can relate to that once they hear “CrossFit,” or perhaps a gymnasium setting basically. It’s simply very intimidating. Understand you don’t must look X, Y, Z with a view to stroll right into a gymnasium area. You don’t must wish to compete. You don’t must need any of these issues.
Nevertheless it really generally is a life-changing expertise to simply do one thing that you just’re a little bit bit fearful of, and continue to grow in that, and see the place it takes you. Out and in of the gymnasium. I do talking engagements, there are issues which might 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 with a view to begin CrossFit or every other sport, or to do issues that scare you. You simply must be keen to be a little bit bit uncomfortable and to maintain going after you fail.
BM: Good. So what’s the perfect place for individuals to seek 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 will likely be each. And naturally my socials, Instagram and TikTok, primarily. Onelegtostandon.
Featured Picture: @onelegtostandon / Instagram
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