Amanda Fisher

Name: Amanda Fisher
Year of Birth: 10/03/1985
Height: 175cm
Weight: 65kg
Birthplace: Gold Coast, Queensland
Current Residence: Gold Coast, Queensland
Sports: Yoga, Body Building — Fitness Modelling, swimming, pilates
Social Media: www.facebook.com/bangin.bodz,
@banginbodzz — instagram @banginbodz — twitter
Website(s): www.banginbodz.com
E-mail: [email protected]

Tell us a little about yourself, what you do for a living, what hobbies / interests / passions you have
I am currently a law student/law clerk starting a health and fitness business, Bangin' Bodz. I love law, but I would rather use my law knowledge for altruistic purposes rather than what I see day in, day out in my job. It has left me a bit cynical of “the system”.

My passion lies in educating and helping people, especially from a young age to be fit and healthy. I want health to be seen as more than just a number on a scale.

I competed in my first fitness model competition in 2013 and want to be more involved in competitions in 2014.

I am becoming a bit yoga & meditation crazy and in 2014 one of my goals is to complete my yoga teaching/PT course.

Why did you become vegan?
I became vegan because it seemed like a natural progression from vegetarian for me. The more I researched the more disgusting dairy and eggs became! I want to drink puss, no thanks!

I initially wanted to become vegetarian when I was 12 years old after a horrendous dinner in a Chinese Restaurant in Sydney (and always having a phobia of bones), however my parents would not allow me. As soon as I left school I was able to make my own decisions and I never ate meat again.

When and why did you become interested in fitness?
I have been an active person my whole life, I participated at a State level in both Swimming and Nippers (Surf Life Saving) winning medals. In my late teens/early twenties however other things became a priority and I fell off the wagon. Over the last four years I have been becoming more and more active again, and now work out six days per week, and walk/go to the beach even more. It's just about getting active for me and enjoying what you are doing!

How would you describe your nutrition program?
At the moment I am just getting ready to start leaning out for comps in May so I will be starting to cut back and concentrate on what I am eating more. I have however been enjoying lots of raw desserts over the Christmas break.

I have been trying to incorporate a lot more raw foods into my diet.

I don't like ruling out any healthy vegan “whole foods” even in comp prep as natural foods are full of vital nutrients. I do cut the processed, vegan junk when I am comp prepping.

An example of a typical day on comp prep for me is

On waking — lemon water followed by a shot of apple cider vinegar

Breakfast - Organic oats with 1 scoop vega protein and 1 tsp cinnamon (with water not “milk”)

Morning tea — fruit salad with lots of berries

Lunch — mixed leafy salad with chickpeas or chia seeds

Afternoon tea — celery and carrot sticks or mixed raw nuts

Dinner — tempeh, sweet potato and mixed green veggies

After dinner — 1 tsp raw, organic peanut butter

LOTS OF WATER

How would you describe your training program?
I walk pretty much every day. We have an Alaskan Malamute who needs to be active and exercise, so we have to make his health and happiness a priority as well. If he doesn't walk he becomes a bit of a handful so we need to get him out and about to wear him out.

I do yoga, pilates barre, a lot of core work (like CX) and weights — 10, 8, 6, 10 — 10 x 1.5. I want to compete in some obstacle course races (OCR) like Spartan next year so I need to start doing some running as well.

What kind of supplements do you use if any, and why?
I use Vega Sport protein powders.

How do people react when they find out you are vegan?|
Most people do not realise, I am very passive in my education of veganism. I let people come to me and ask questions, otherwise you just are asking for a fight. Most people are defensive of the way they eat and how that has been ingrained in them for their whole life. People are usually more receptive to change if they are instigating it, not having it rammed down their throat.

What are some common misconceptions about veganism?
Where do you get your ......... (insert nutrient/vitamin here)?

Why is it that everyone is a nutritional expert as soon as there is a vegan in their presence! It is highly frustrating.

Have you had success in promoting veganism / vegetarianism to others? If so, how did you go about it?
Again, I am not aggressive in my promotion of veganism. I feel it is more effective to allow people to come to me and ask questions. I feel that through my actions as a vegan I have got the people closest to me to minimise their meat and dairy intake which in itself is a small victory. Since I have become vegan I have noticed my partner making different choices, my parents making healthier and alternative choices (my mum makes amazing vegan dishes for me now) and many people around me embracing aspects of the vegan lifestyle. It is those small victories that should be encouraged as it all counts to the bigger picture.

In early 2013 I completed my certificate in plant-based nutrition through E-Cornell which has helped me further my education into the health benefits of vegan diets, which in turn has lead to me being able to educate more people in the benefits of being plant based!

What do you think the most important aspect of training is?
Consistency!

What do you like best about being vegan?
The positivity it brings into my life.

What do you like best about being fit?
Having loads of energy!

What advice do you have for people who are just starting out with training?
Set your goals and get in the right mindset. Realise that failure isn't failure until you give up, the rest is just part of the journey. Embrace it and enjoy it.

What advice do you have for people who are thinking of becoming vegan?
Research. The worst thing I did was when I first became vegetarian was become a junk food vegetarian.

What motivates you in life?
The thought of achieving whatever I set my mind to. If I really want something, I know I can work hard and get it.

What do you think of veganbodybuilding.com? Has it helped or inspired you?
I think it is a fantastic resource. When I have got stuck for ideas in my previous meal preps etc. I really benefitted from reading some of the articles and programs from other VEGAN athletes on what they do. Every other site is so skewed to the chicken/rice/veg way that it is impossible to get valuable information from it for a vegan way of life.