Adapting and Thriving: An Interview with CrossFit Video games Athlete Amy Bream

Many world-class rivals are die-hard athletes who dreamed about successful 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 finding out music moderately than enjoying 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 nearly all 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 he or she continues coaching and competing internationally. Only a few weeks after the 2023 Video games, we had a possibility to get her concepts about CrossFit coaching, the way forward for the Adaptive division, and how you can shock your self with success after first getting your self uncomfortable.

Breaking Muscle: You really began in a boxing gymnasium 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 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 perform a little little bit of energy and conditioning. After I discovered CrossFit had Adaptive divisions in 2021, January of 2021 is definitely after I began making an attempt out CrossFit coaching. I didn’t really 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 already know, that’s a great 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 approach.” And he was similar 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 stated, “You’ve got 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 noticed that was a great level. I’ve a aggressive persona. 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 believe 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 regarded like. You already know, 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 really beloved it.

BM: That does convey up one subject that the “haters,” or the critics, have. They contemplate ‘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 believe there’s a distinction in that, clearly whenever 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 related. You will be one of the best athlete on the 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 for those who’re an individual that’s simply trying to typically get just a little bit healthier 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.” If you happen to don’t have a talent, you really want to place in some further time exterior of the category with the intention to construct it.

You possibly can’t realistically anticipate to study 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 study. So I believe the content material of a CrossFit class is similar to what competing athletes expertise. They only strategy it with a unique intent and so they’ll do extra of that.

BM: Earlier this yr, you turned 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 just a little bit totally different. And in addition, what my physique can bodily deal with on my one leg is just a little bit totally different, as properly. 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 every week. It was nonetheless fairly intense. I began at that boxing gymnasium for enjoyable, ultimately began working there part-time, after which turned 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 great 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 approach I can have each. So I made some fairly distinct selections and I used to be really 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 may 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 just a little bit totally different. There are at all times different competitions you’ll be able to expertise. With the non-adaptive divisions, a whole lot 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, however 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 by qualifiers to attempt to make it to the Video games. So for those who’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 sort 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. However it’s not precisely on the identical schedule because the Video games. So I really go away to compete in Australia in just 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 actually need the expertise and I’d like to be in Australia and do all of these issues.

But in addition, a whole lot of the adaptive competitions are in the direction of the top of the yr and the technical non-adaptive division begins up at first 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 idea, I believe there shouldn’t be. I believe, in actuality there may be, if I’m being sincere. And I believe that goes to each side as a result of, if I’m being completely blunt, clearly for those who’re competitions just like the Video games, a lot of the emphasis will probably be placed on the elite divisions and the divisions that convey probably the most consideration, which I fully perceive.

On the similar time, I’d wish to see that shift and develop just a little bit extra as a result of I believe the opposite divisions might get extra air time and issues. I believe the athletes deserve that, as a result of I believe that there are athletes which are simply straight-up unbelievable 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 a whole lot of adaptive athletes are. And I’m not even being like, “Oh, I’m so good.” I’m simply speaking the game normally. 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 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 believe, once more, whenever you hear “adaptive athlete,” for those who 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 all the pieces with Roman [Khrennikov]* this yr. Unimaginable. I don’t need to take away from that. All of that was unbelievable. 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 unbelievable!” 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 stated, “Man, he’s actually obtained to watch out about doing all these actions on one leg.”

And I bear in mind simply stopping and considering, individuals really 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. Folks really 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, for those who’re not uncovered to it, you’re not uncovered to it. So I do perceive. However my level is, for those who say that you just need to present an area for adaptive athletes, make individuals uncovered to it. You already know? Let’s go all the way in which with it. I’m hoping it simply takes a while, however that it’ll 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’ll 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 person who is getting 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 fantastically executed. Not excellent, as a result of adaptive divisions are at all times studying and adjusting, and it may be so messy. However so properly executed. And so the truth that he now has just a little bit extra management in that provides 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. If you happen to’re complaining about not having illustration, then try 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 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 youngster. I believe, 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 staff. 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 entire crew is there. And I used to be like, “Ho-ly crap.” I used to be doing clear & jerks subsequent to Tia simply making an attempt to be as quiet as attainable. 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 staff ambiance?

AB: That was really actually totally different than I used to be used to. However yeah, it’s group and staff programming. For me, clearly it was just a little bit totally different as a result of I don’t have the identical issues as the opposite groups.

After I joined the staff, each side, myself and them, have been fairly sincere. They have been like, “Hey, we haven’t had an adaptive athlete on the staff 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 staff and I’d strategy them and say, “We’re not going to get this motion in a contest” or “I have to develop this energy first” or no matter it was, and they might change it for me from there.

As a staff, 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 staff 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 now have, we go to them and so they’ll assist regulate from there.

BM: I noticed that you just lately loved studying “The Struggle of Artwork” by Steven Pressfield. Did that click on with you as an athlete or as a musician?

AB: Oh, that’s a great query. Yeah, I’d say possibly it clicked with me extra as a musician, however I believe it’s coming from that inventive house. It’s very relevant to something. I’m a really logical human being. If you happen to inform me to do one thing, OK, however for those who inform me why I’m doing it and the way it will immediately 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 features of it. It was very simple for me to make that connection.

However relating to one thing that feels larger 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 guide simply clicked as a result of, after 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 in addition, I’m doing much more talking engagements and simply issues for myself as, for lack of one other approach of claiming it, myself as a model. Simply doing issues that I used to be wanting ahead to, but additionally have 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 guide 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. Each day. And do it.” I used to be like, oh, OK, it’s like anything. It’s like working towards scales, however otherwise.

BM: Talking of your mindset, one in every of video on the CrossFit Video games YouTube channel is your “Battle for One Extra Rep.” It’s obtained 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, further relaxation. I’ll wait.” How do you focus for that yet another rep?

AB: That’s onerous and it is dependent upon what state of affairs I’m in. However I believe if I’m going into it with the mindset of, it’s about successful 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 need to shut down. Then the exercise turns into approach worse than it wanted to be as a result of I’m all in my head. However I strive very onerous not make that almost all of the time. Particularly now, having extra competitions and seasoning.

For that exact occasion, I’ll always remember, among 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 need 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 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 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 stated, “You’ll battle for each second. You’ll not give up.” And I used to be like, “OK.”

I believe 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 successful the occasion. It was nearly pushing by. And I believe, too, to not pull this card as a result of typically I believe 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 believe, to indicate up with an perspective 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 will 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 that to work my hardest.

BM: What do you suppose non-CrossFitters — let’s assume not the “haters,” however the ones which are really fascinated with discovering one thing helpful — what might they get from CrossFit coaching as a complete?

AB: I’d say seeing the significance of staying in step with small issues, the way it contributes to the massive image. As a result of it’s very simple to have a look at individuals doing muscle-ups, for those who’re a first-timer, and say “Nicely, I’m by no means going to do this.”

However you begin with tiny issues. “Nicely, 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… Reasonably than simply shutting it down. Simply do a tiny bit at a time. And that’s so relevant to issues exterior in life.

I believe additionally, individuals can love or hate this phrase, however “getting into the ache cave.” It is among the hardest issues on the planet to really feel bodily ache, whenever you’re simply so drained and need to quit. And the adrenaline you’re feeling, even for those who’re not successful, 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 strategy my job, it’s like, “That is tiring or that is onerous, 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 exterior the gymnasium.

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 find out about?

AB: Not essentially. I really like CrossFit, I really like competing. I believe a whole lot of what I need to proceed to do and I’m sort 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 a whole lot of issues.

I believe lots of people can relate to that once they hear “CrossFit,” or perhaps a gymnasium setting normally. It’s simply very intimidating. Understand you don’t must look X, Y, Z with the intention to stroll right into a gymnasium house. You don’t must need to compete. You don’t must need any of these issues.

However it really could be a life-changing expertise to only do one thing that you just’re just a little bit terrified 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 are developing I’m actually enthusiastic about, however it all comes from that. Me wanting to speak that thought.

You don’t want stipulations with the intention to begin CrossFit or some other sport, or to do issues that scare you. You simply must be prepared to be just a little bit uncomfortable and to maintain going after you fail.

BM: Excellent. So what’s one of the best 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