Adapting and Thriving: An Interview with CrossFit Video games Athlete Amy Bream
Many world-class opponents are die-hard athletes who dreamed about profitable championship titles for years. Amy Bream isn’t certainly one of them. A self-admitted “non-athlete” for almost all of her life, Bream spent her youthful years learning music fairly than enjoying sports activities. Nevertheless, when circumstances unexpectedly aligned, she noticed a chance 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 anyplace 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. Only a few 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 easy methods to shock your self with success after first getting your self uncomfortable.
Breaking Muscle: You truly began in a boxing health club earlier than entering 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 health club, they began a weight coaching class. It was like useful health, however I began to perform a little little bit of power and conditioning. After I discovered CrossFit had Adaptive divisions in 2021, January of 2021 is definitely after I began attempting 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’ll’ve gotten into CrossFit coaching if there wasn’t that avenue to compete?
AB: You understand, that’s a superb 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 model 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 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’ve gotten 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 noticed that was a superb level. I’ve a aggressive character. At that time, I didn’t understand 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 similar to, “Oh.” I perceive why these stigmas are there, however that is nothing like that and I truly cherished it.
BM: That does deliver 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 once you’re becoming it right into a CrossFit class, you possibly can solely have a lot intentionality at sure issues. It is extremely comparable. You may be the most effective athlete on the planet and go take a CrossFit class and get your butt kicked. As a result of you possibly can push to no matter depth stage that you just’re personally at.
Clearly in case you’re an individual that’s simply seeking to usually get just a little bit fitter 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.” For those who don’t have a talent, you actually need to place in some further time outdoors of the category with a view to construct it.
You’ll be able to’t realistically anticipate to be taught 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 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 and so they’ll do extra of that.
BM: Earlier this yr, you turned a full-time athlete. What does that seem like? Are you doing two-a-days six days per week, or what?
AB: It will depend on the season of coaching. Main as much as the Video games, sure, that’s what I used to be doing. And my coaching continues to be not as intense as you’ll say for the elite Particular person division. Adaptive divisions are just a little bit completely different. And in addition, what my physique can bodily deal with on my one leg is just a little bit completely different, as nicely. So I’m fairly acutely aware of that.
However I used to be positively within the health club 4 to 5 hours a day, six days per week. It was nonetheless fairly intense. I began at that boxing health club for enjoyable, finally began working there part-time, after which turned operations director of their three places right here in Nashville. So I’ve accomplished that full-time for about six years now.
And I stepped again and went to part-time a superb little bit of this yr to make extra room for coaching. As that stored progressing, it turned fairly clear. If I need to do different issues and attempt to develop my very own issues on the aspect, there’s simply no means I can have each. So I made some fairly distinct choices and I used to be truly nonetheless coaching courses 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 could be very completely different now.
BM: So now, do you will have 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 seem like?
AB: Technically talking, the offseason is now [September]. I’ll say, it’s just a little bit completely different. There are at all times different competitions you possibly can expertise. With the non-adaptive divisions, loads of them are doing the Rogue Invitational on the finish of October. And there will probably 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, nevertheless it’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, often in February, and also you simply maintain progressing via qualifiers to attempt to make it to the Video games. So in case you’re in that loop, it simply will get increasingly intense. After which lockdown season is the top of Might up till the Video games in August.
One factor that I do form of want is that there was just a little 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 depart to compete in Australia in slightly below three weeks. And I’m taking a distinct mentality. My physique continues 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 principle, I feel there shouldn’t be. I feel, in actuality there’s, if I’m being sincere. And I feel that goes to each 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 will probably be placed on the elite divisions and the divisions that deliver essentially the most consideration, which I fully perceive.
On the identical time, I’d prefer to see that shift and develop just a little bit extra as a result of I feel the opposite divisions might 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 just a little bit extra, I don’t know if the phrase is “respect,” however simply recognition for it.
I don’t suppose individuals even understand 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 usually. I’ve seen adaptive athletes kick non-adaptive athletes’ ass. It’s for actual.
BM: I imagine it. Casey Acree flew via, undefeated, and it’s crickets. But when an Particular person competitor did that — first place, first place, first place straight via in each occasion — for certain, 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 suppose in your head what the competitors appears like. However they’re not realizing.
It’s humorous, I’m certain you noticed every part with Roman [Khrennikov]* this yr. Unimaginable. I don’t need 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 drag. 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 considering, 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 try 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 stage and doing all of these items simply as he’s. In order that’s the form of factor I simply want individuals noticed extra, actually.
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 need to present an area for adaptive athletes, make individuals uncovered to it. You understand? 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, Quick 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 modifications, staff-wise. To not say something dangerous on what it was, however I personally know the individual that is moving 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 accomplished. Not excellent, as a result of adaptive divisions are at all times studying and adjusting, and it may be so messy. However so nicely accomplished. And so the truth that he now has just a little 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 wish this, we what this, and we would like this.” For one, I get it, however endurance. And two, be proactive. For those who’re complaining about not having illustration, then try to be paying to point out 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 after 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 after I was a teen. I feel, let’s simply maintain 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 an enormous 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 attempting to be as quiet as doable. However yeah, that’s been nice.
BM: How does that work, is it simply sharing a health club or sharing programming? What’s the day-to-day like in a group ambiance?
AB: That was truly actually completely different than I used to be used to. However yeah, it’s group and group programming. For me, clearly it was just a little bit completely different as a result of I don’t have the identical issues as the opposite groups.
After I joined the group, each side, myself and them, had been fairly sincere. They had been like, “Hey, we haven’t had an adaptive athlete on the group 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 group and I’d method 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 group, 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 health club. They’ve a group 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’ve got, we go to them and so they’ll assist alter from there.
BM: I noticed that you just not too long ago 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 superb query. Yeah, I’d say perhaps it clicked with me extra as a musician, however I feel it’s coming from that inventive area. It’s very relevant to something. I’m a really logical human being. For those who 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 working towards 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 facets of it. It was very simple for me to make that connection.
However relating to one thing that feels greater image and scary, and depends extra on a quote-unquote inventive sense, I’ll distract myself with, “I’ll return to working towards 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, after I learn it, I had plans and I knew that I wished to make modifications in my job. Just because I wished 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 means 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 sit down 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. Every single day. And do it.” I used to be like, oh, OK, it’s like the rest. It’s like working towards scales, however otherwise.
BM: Talking of your mindset, certainly one of video on the CrossFit Video games YouTube channel is your “Combat for One Extra Rep.” It’s bought 360,000 views up to now. 20 seconds to go, nonetheless grinding away, you get one final rep.
Whenever 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, further relaxation. I’ll wait.” How do you focus for that another rep?
AB: That’s arduous and it will depend on what scenario 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 shortly that I’m not going to win it, and I simply need 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 individual occasion, I’ll always remember, among the video exhibits 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 part. You’ve earned your proper to be right here. You’ll give every part 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 need to exit in public and battle, as a result of I do know it’s going to be a battle.” He mentioned, “You’ll battle for each second. You’ll not stop.” 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 via. And I feel, too, to not pull this card as a result of typically 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 better challenges than what I expertise, has made me so grateful for what I’ve.
And I feel, to point out 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 at all times be sure to work my hardest.
BM: What do you suppose non-CrossFitters — let’s assume not the “haters,” however the ones which might be truly involved in discovering one thing helpful — what might they get from CrossFit coaching as a complete?
AB: I’d say seeing the significance of staying per 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 “Nicely, I’m by no means going to try 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… Relatively 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 without doubt one of the hardest issues on the planet to really feel bodily ache, once you’re simply so drained and need to quit. And the adrenaline you are 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 considering “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 might do” has given me a lot confidence and psychological stamina to not quit in different areas of my life.
So after I method my job, it’s like, “That is tiring or that is arduous, 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 health club to outdoors the health club.
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 learn about?
AB: Not essentially. I really like CrossFit, I really like competing. I feel loads of what I need to proceed to do and I’m form of rising into is, after I discuss to individuals, I at all times need 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 once they hear “CrossFit,” or perhaps a health club setting usually. It’s simply very intimidating. Understand you don’t should look X, Y, Z with a view to stroll right into a health club area. You don’t should need to compete. You don’t should need any of these issues.
But it surely really generally is a life-changing expertise to only do one thing that you just’re just a little bit afraid of, and continue to grow in that, and see the place it takes you. Out and in of the health club. I do talking engagements, there are issues which might be developing I’m actually enthusiastic about, nevertheless it 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 should be keen to be just a little bit uncomfortable and to maintain going after you fail.
BM: Excellent. So what’s the most effective 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. Will probably be each. And naturally my socials, Instagram and TikTok, primarily. Onelegtostandon.
Featured Picture: @onelegtostandon / Instagram
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