Future Freaks #Fitspire of the Week: Amanda Bisk: former pole vaulter preaches the power of positivity!
#Fitspire of the Week: Amanda Bisk: former pole vaulter preaches the power of positivity!
What gives some
one the right to consider themselves a successful fitness model or personality in the industry? Is it the amount of covers one can land because of their physique? Could it be how many sponsors they are able to grab to help support them? Or is it the amount of money one can make between different modeling/ fitness gigs?
Everyone will tell you something different, but if there is one thing that is hard to disagree with, it’s the ability to promote and market yourself to others. Social media has begun to play a huge role in self marketing as an athlete, competitor, fitness model or personality in the Industry. These days, you don't need a modeling agency to help promote you, or a company to take you on as a sponsored athlete in order for you to be seen in the industry.
Someone who once could have been just an average fit person, now has the ability to transform themselves into a “Social Media Fitness Star!” If you put in the time, the effort, and truly have a passion for fitness, you can change yourself from just a face with a body, to a bona fide personality – someone able to inspire and motivate others on their own fitness journey!
Amanda Bisk, age 27, and hailing from Perth, Western Australia, is a retired Australian pole vaulter and is proof that if you put in the time, effort, hard work in the gym AND the kitchen, and use social media as a tool to self-promote, you can turn your average health/fit lifestyle into a network that reaches out to endless amounts of people who want to take the time out to follow your journey.
Q: Tell me about your competitive history.
A: Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010, 6th place on count back, clearance of 4.25 (bronze medal height)
World University Games, Belgrade Serbia 2009, 9th
2010 Australian Championships Bronze medalist
2009 Australian Championships Silver medalist
Prior to pole vault I was also a national level high jumper and state level gymnast.
Q: When did you get started on your fitness career/jou
rney? What made you want become more than just the average person living a healthy and fit lifestyle?
A: I started gymnastics at the age of three and by the age of six I was training at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). I trained here for three years and then grew too tall for competitive gymnastics. Being involved in elite gymnastics really motivated me to stay competitive and strive to succeed in sport.
During primary and high school I was involved in almost every sport and absolutely loved being active. Ever since I was a little girl my dream was to represent my country and in my final year of high school I found my path to this dream. I was selected for the state sporting institute (WAIS) development squad for high jump. I competed nationally for a few years and then found pole vault, a perfect combination of my two biggest sporting passions, athletics and gymnastics.
Following the games in Delhi in 2010 I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue. I was forced to stop pole vaulting. Over the last four years I have grown a huge passion for health and fitness in all its forms. I found learning about nutrition and health gave me the power to heal myself and take control of my wellbeing.
It has been a long journey of recovery and I am just feeling close to normal now. Being diagnosed however has really helped me get in tune with my body and really appreciate the wonderful things it can do. One of my passions now is to get involved in all sorts of exercise and share and enjoy it with others.
Q: Being that you have a lo
yal social media following, what is some advice that you would offer someone wanting to increase their popularity in the Fitness industry? What tip can you give someone to help them build their following as well?
A: It is so important to have a good knowledge base and experience. Don't be shy to try new things and to talk to people. This is one of the best ways we learn. The more you understand all aspects of fitness and heath the more confident you will be in looking after yourself and the people around you. Be happy, be kind and share your passion. Positivity is contagious!
Q: Do you consider this as your part/full time job or a hobby?
A: This is what I do full time. I won't call it a job because I live and breathe the beauty of feeling healthy, and I want everyone around me to feel this way too. I love to share my experience and I love to learn from others. Every day is an opportunity to help someone, to do something positive or to learn something new. I believe that if we all cared for each other and our health we would have a wonderful world to live in!
Q: There are many people that motivate and are inspired by you. How does that make you feel knowing that there are people who take the time to see what you are doing day to day?
A: I am very humbled by every single person that takes the time to see what I am up to. In the last couple of years I have really started to see the power of a positive mind and the beauty of kindness. We are all capable of amazing things if we believe in ourselves and never give up. If I can share this with others and be some sort of motivation for even one person to have a positive outlook or to keep striving for their goals it puts a huge smile on my face.
Q: How does it feel knowing that somewhere, you are actually helping someone by motivating them to achieve their personal goals, just by posting your personal life and achievements on social media?
A: I love seeing people get excited and inspired to work for something they really want. And it is also so wonderful to see their progress and achievements. It inspires me to keep pushing and working towards my goals. How wonderful is the cycle of positive encouragement and support.
Q: Is there anyone who has motivated or inspired you to become the person you are today?
A: My parents. Both of them encouraged me to try my best in everything I did. They taught me that if I wanted something, I was capable of getting it if I worked hard and never gave up. My mum is also the most caring and happy soul and she inspires me every day to laugh and smile.
Q: How does your family feel about your lifestyle? What would you say to someone whose family does not support their lifestyle?
A: I am very lucky to have very supportive parents who are involved and share my passions. I know it is very difficult without this support. At the end of the day, we learn from decisions we make in our life, whether they are good or bad. As long as you are happy with who you are, what you have chosen to do, nothing else should sway your decisions.
Communication is so important in this situation, make your reasons for choosing this lifestyle clear to those around you and share with them why it makes you happy.
Q: What is your diet like? Do you eat clean all year round?
A: I love healthy food. Every meal I eat, I see it 
as an opportunity to nourish my body and this is how I think all the time. I don't deprive myself of anything and I make sure I eat a varied diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. I don't believe in cheat meals. If I want something, I will eat it, but I don’t go crazy (because I don't feel I have to, I don't feel deprived).
Q: What is your favorite cheat meal? How do you control yourself from going overboard when you decide to treat yourself?
A: I love ice cream and I eat it almost every day. Of course, I don't eat a whole tub! I have a portion and move on. No need to go overboard because I don't feel I need to 'grab the opportunity' to eat it all because I won’t see it again. I do however eat well every day and Iove it.
Q: Do you take any supplements? What do you think is one of the most important supplements someone should take who is training constantly?
A: I don’t take any supplements except for THR1VE's PerformaGreens.
Q: What’s your social media/contact information?
A: Instagram: @amandabisk
Facebook: Amanda Bisk page
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