Amanda Jean has spent most of her life in motion. Long before HYROX races, fitness studios, and packed training schedules became part of her everyday world, movement began as a form of expression. Growing up as a dancer, she learned early that the body could communicate confidence, discipline, and emotion in ways words often could not. What started in dance studios eventually evolved into a career that now spans coaching, leadership, functional fitness, breathwork, and community building.
Today, Amanda is known not only as a fitness leader and lululemon Ambassador, but also as someone deeply committed to helping others discover strength that extends beyond aesthetics or performance metrics. Whether she is managing multiple fitness studios, preparing for HYROX competition, coaching clients, or speaking about mental resilience, her philosophy remains rooted in sustainability, self awareness, and intentional growth.
Her journey has never been about chasing perfection. It has been about learning how to create balance while continuing to evolve.
From Dance Studios to Fitness Leadership
Amanda’s relationship with movement began in childhood through dance. While studying Dance at Ryerson University in Toronto, she started incorporating fitness training into her routine, not realizing at the time how much that decision would shape the course of her future.
“I grew up as a dancer and always had a more athletic shape,” she explains. “I started working out in University while I was studying Dance at Ryerson University in Toronto.”
After becoming a mother, her perspective on fitness shifted even further. Mom and baby classes introduced her to a new side of the industry, one centered around connection, empowerment, and accessibility. That experience inspired her to become a certified fitness instructor and begin teaching classes herself.
What followed was the beginning of a career that steadily expanded across multiple areas of the wellness space. Amanda combined her background in dance with fitness instruction, eventually working with major organizations including GoodLife Fitness and canfitpro.
Then came a pivotal turning point in 2006 when she discovered Zumba Fitness.
Amanda quickly became one of the leading names associated with the brand in Canada, eventually becoming the country’s first Zumba Education Specialist. The role allowed her to travel coast to coast licensing and training instructors, helping shape the growth of the movement-based fitness program nationwide.
It was more than teaching choreography. It was about helping people rediscover confidence through movement.
Learning to Prioritize Herself
Despite spending years helping others prioritize health and wellness, Amanda admits one of her biggest struggles was making time for her own training.
As someone balancing leadership responsibilities across three F45 Training studios, community events, coaching, and ambassador work, her schedule often revolved around supporting everyone else first.
“My biggest challenge on my fitness journey has been setting time aside for my own training,” she says. “I am passionate about supporting the members and leaders I work with, but scheduling time for myself has been a struggle to overcome.”
That realization forced her to confront an uncomfortable truth many high performers face. Being busy is not the same as being aligned.
Over time, Amanda developed a system rooted in structure and discipline rather than motivation alone. Every week begins with planning, intentional scheduling, and creating non negotiable time for her own physical and mental health.
“My calendar is my best friend,” she explains. “Every Sunday I spend time ensuring I know where my training will fit into my schedule along with coaching classes, managing three studios, and taking time for myself and my family.”
For Amanda, fitness is no longer something squeezed into leftover time. It is a foundational part of how she functions at her best.
“We all have the same amount of time in the day,” she says. “It’s up to you to decide how you use it.”
Discovering Strength Beyond Physical Training
Although Amanda has spent years immersed in fitness, one of the biggest transformations in her life came through something far quieter than intense workouts or race preparation – Breathwork.
Her introduction to Conscious Connected Breathing through Release Breathwork became a turning point that transformed her physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“Discovering Breathwork and understanding the impact of Conscious Connected Breathing has been a game changer for me,” Amanda shares. “It has transformed my mental, emotional and physical health.”
The impact became especially clear during her HYROX competitions in Toronto in 2025, where she competed on back to back days. While physical preparation played a major role, Amanda credits much of her endurance and mental composure to the deeper internal work she had been doing behind the scenes.
“When I competed in two HYROX races in 2025 in Toronto, the only way I was able to race on back-to-back days was from the work I did during breathwork, along with my training both physically and mentally.”
That experience reinforced a philosophy she now lives by daily. External performance is deeply connected to internal wellness.
“The work you do behind the scenes will dictate how you show up in public,” she says. “If you are not doing the work on yourself, you will not succeed.”
For Amanda, success is no longer measured solely by physical output. It also includes sleep quality, stress management, mindfulness, recovery, hydration, and emotional awareness.
Training With Intention
Amanda’s current fitness routine reflects both structure and adaptability.
She trains four to five days per week, combining strength based F45 sessions with dedicated HYROX specific conditioning. Running, something she once focused heavily on during marathon training, has returned as an important part of her athletic development.
Interestingly, Amanda admits she never truly considered herself an athlete until entering the HYROX world.
“I’ve never considered myself an athlete until I started training for HYROX,” she says honestly. “Learning proper running technique has been a focus for me as I continue to learn more about the sport.”
Alongside physical training, breathwork sessions remain integrated into her monthly routine, while recovery practices and scheduling help her maintain consistency without burnout.
She believes sustainability matters more than intensity alone.
“A goal without a plan is only a dream,” Amanda says.
That mindset has become central not only to her own growth but also to how she coaches others.
Helping People Break Through Feeling “Stuck”
One of the topics Amanda speaks about most openly is the emotional frustration people experience when they feel like they are working hard without seeing progress.
In her own words: “You’ve done the work. So why do you still feel stuck?”
For Amanda, the answer often lies deeper than fitness programs or nutrition plans. Many people are physically active while remaining mentally disconnected from what they actually need.
Her advice starts with community.
“Find a community that not only supports you physically, but mentally and emotionally as well,” she explains.
She also encourages people to slow down long enough to honestly evaluate what is and is not serving them.
“Take the time to understand what YOU need,” she says. “Make a list of what’s working for you currently and what needs to either be removed or changed.”
Amanda believes awareness is often the beginning of transformation. Once people begin identifying the habits, environments, or thoughts keeping them stuck, change becomes far more possible.
“There is power in writing out what is keeping you stuck,” she explains. “The more you can uncover the layers holding you back, the less stuck you will feel.”
Her philosophy toward growth is deeply realistic. She does not promise perfection, nor does she promote relentless positivity. Instead, she encourages consistency, perspective, and resilience.
“Remember there will always be good days and bad,” Amanda says. “Every day may not be perfect, but there is something perfect in every day.”
