Many world-class competitors are die-hard athletes who dreamed about winning championship titles for years. Amy Bream isn’t one in all them. A self-admitted “non-athlete” for the vast majority of her life, Bream spent her younger years studying music fairly than playing sports. Nonetheless, when circumstances unexpectedly aligned, she saw a possibility to channel her competitive spirit into an outlet she likely never expected.
Bream was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD) — a rare congenital disorder that resulted in missing the vast majority of her right leg. The determined athlete hasn’t let that come anywhere near stopping her, as she’s been a top contender within the CrossFit Games Lower Extremity Adaptive division since its inception in 2021.
Bream has placed fifth, third, and fourth on the CrossFit Games (2021, 2022, 2023 respectively) and she or he continues training and competing internationally. Just a number of weeks after the 2023 Games, we had a possibility to get her ideas about CrossFit training, the long run of the Adaptive division, and tips on how to surprise yourself with success after first getting yourself uncomfortable.
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Breaking Muscle: You truly began in a boxing gym before stepping into weight training. How’d you begin there and find yourself here?
Amy Bream: I didn’t used to workout much. Definitely not in public or anything like that. So I began boxing in 2015. It wasn’t sparring or anything, it was more of a gaggle fitness type of thing. After which I picked up my first barbell in 2019.
In that gym, they began a weight training class. It was like functional fitness, but I began to do somewhat little bit of strength and conditioning. Once I discovered CrossFit had Adaptive divisions in 2021, January of 2021 is definitely after I began trying out CrossFit training. I didn’t actually step foot into my first box, though, until the Saturday before I left for my first Games.
BM: Do you’re thinking that you’d’ve gotten into CrossFit training if there wasn’t that avenue to compete?
AB: You already know, that’s an excellent query. I don’t know, because I used to be content with where I used to be and I used to be content with the form of training that I had.
An Adaptive athlete on Instagram reached out to me about it and I literally told him at first, “Hey, no offense, but I’ve seen CrossFit people. I respect it, but y’all are nuts. There’s no way.” And he was identical to, “I feel like you’d respond pretty much to it,” because I had been posting about my fitness journey as much as that time.
He said, “You may have a few months to coach. What’s the worst that may occur? You may try it and hate it, and then you definitely just stop.” I spotted that was an excellent point. I even have a competitive personality. At that time, I didn’t realize quite the extent of it because I’d never competed in anything physical.
I believe I used to be just like individuals who aren’t in CrossFit and just have those stigmas of their mind of what it was or what it looked like. You already know, the quote-unquote “haters.” Then I began doing it and I used to be identical to, “Oh.” I understand why those stigmas are there, but that is nothing like that and I actually loved it.
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BM: That does bring up one topic that the “haters,” or the critics, have. They consider ‘CrossFit training’ different from ‘training for CrossFit.’ They’ll say, “The people on the Games don’t train CrossFit.” But, do you? Is there a difference?
AB: I believe there’s a difference in that, obviously while you’re fitting it right into a CrossFit class, you’ll be able to only have a lot intentionality at certain things. It is rather similar. You may be one of the best athlete on the planet and go take a CrossFit class and get your butt kicked. Because you’ll be able to push to whatever intensity level that you simply’re personally at.
Obviously in case you’re a person who’s just trying to generally get somewhat bit healthier and also you’re taking a CrossFit class, you’re not going to do it with the identical approach and intentionality. It’s easy to say, “Oh, they’ve that movement, but I’m going to scale.” When you don’t have a skill, you actually need to place in some time beyond regulation outside of the category to be able to construct it.
You may’t realistically expect to learn all of those recent things inside an hour class, three to 4 times every week. That’s just not going to occur. There’s too many things to learn. So I believe the content of a CrossFit class could be very just like what competing athletes experience. They only approach it with a unique intent they usually’ll do more of that.
BM: Earlier this yr, you became a full-time athlete. What does that appear like? Are you doing two-a-days six days every week, or what?
AB: It relies on the season of coaching. Leading as much as the Games, yes, that’s what I used to be doing. And my training continues to be not as intense as you’d say for the elite Individual division. Adaptive divisions are somewhat bit different. And in addition, what my body can physically handle on my one leg is somewhat bit different, as well. So I’m pretty conscious of that.
But I used to be definitely within the gym 4 to 5 hours a day, six days every week. It was still pretty intense. I began at that boxing gym for fun, eventually began working there part-time, after which became operations director of their three locations here in Nashville. So I’ve done that full-time for about six years now.
And I stepped back and went to part-time an excellent little bit of this yr to make more room for training. As that kept progressing, it became pretty clear. If I need to do other things and take a look at to grow my very own things on the side, there’s just no way I can have each. So I made some pretty distinct decisions and I used to be actually still training classes there, simply because I like coaching, throughout the summer alongside my training. I had given them a heads up that I wouldn’t be returning after the Games. So yeah, life could be very different now.
BM: So now, do you might have an offseason? There’s the Games and the Open, but are there other competitions you’re taking part in? I do know WheelWod is one. What does your yr appear like?
AB: Technically speaking, the offseason is now [September]. I’ll say, it’s somewhat bit different. There are all the time other competitions you’ll be able to experience. With the non-adaptive divisions, lots of them are doing the Rogue Invitational at the top of October. And there will probably be ones here and there, like Wodapalooza and things.
But those competitions, you care about competing and also you’re going to be in shape for it, but it surely’s not quite as intense because the CrossFit Games. I’d say, the season of what people see is starting with the CrossFit Open, often in February, and you simply keep progressing through qualifiers to attempt to make it to the Games. So in case you’re in that loop, it just gets an increasing number of intense. After which lockdown season is the top of May up until the Games in August.
One thing that I do type of wish is that there was somewhat bit more cohesiveness with Adaptive divisions. It’s been my experience that Adaptive competitions are growing, which is great. But it surely’s not exactly on the identical schedule because the Games. So I actually leave to compete in Australia in just below three weeks. And I’m taking a unique mentality. My body continues to be recovering immediately. I took it because I really need the experience and I’d like to be in Australia and do all of those things.
But additionally, lots of the adaptive competitions are towards the top of the yr and the technical non-adaptive division starts up to start with of the yr. So I don’t feel like I even have much respiration room because I compete about every three months regardless. But, again, for this season it’s working.
BM: In your mind, or in your ear, is there a difference between being known as an “Adaptive athlete” versus “an athlete?”
AB: In theory, I believe there shouldn’t be. I believe, in point of fact there’s, if I’m being honest. And I believe that goes to either side because, if I’m being perfectly blunt, obviously in case you’re competitions just like the Games, many of the emphasis will probably be placed on the elite divisions and the divisions that bring probably the most attention, which I completely understand.
At the identical time, I’d prefer to see that shift and grow somewhat bit more because I believe the opposite divisions could get more air time and things. I believe the athletes deserve that, because I believe that there are athletes which might be just straight-up incredible athletes, Adaptive or not, they usually must have somewhat bit more, I don’t know if the word is “respect,” but just recognition for it.
I don’t think people even realize just how good lots of adaptive athletes are. And I’m not even being like, “Oh, I’m so good.” I’m just talking the game usually. I’ve seen adaptive athletes kick non-adaptive athletes’ ass. It’s for real.
BM: I think it. Casey Acree flew through, undefeated, and it’s crickets. But when an Individual competitor did that — first place, first place, first place straight through in every event — of course, 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: Yes, exactly. And I believe, again, while you hear “adaptive athlete,” in case you haven’t experienced it and seen it firsthand before, it’s easy to think in your head what the competition looks like. But they’re not realizing.
It’s funny, I’m sure you saw every part with Roman [Khrennikov]* this yr. Incredible. I don’t need to take away from that. All of that was incredible. Him doing [jump rope] double-unders. I can’t imagine the emotional state that he was in. Being in first place and having to go and show up, and all of those things.
But the group was like, “That’s incredible!” Which it was. It was. I used to be watching it online and I remember at one point, when Roman finished 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 said, “Man, he’s really got to watch out about doing all these movements on one leg.”
And I remember just stopping and pondering, people actually don’t know. He’s doing this workout and, if I used to be doing this workout, it is strictly how I could be doing it. Double-unders on one leg, they asked me to try this in 2021. We had sled pulls this yr but they didn’t allow us to sit down, so I used to be just pulling standing up on one leg. People actually don’t know that athletes are competing at a high level and doing all of this stuff just as he’s. In order that’s the type of thing I just wish people saw more, truthfully.
And again, in case you’re not exposed to it, you’re not exposed to it. So I do understand. But my point is, in case you say that you wish to provide an area for adaptive athletes, make people exposed to it. You already know? Let’s go all the best way with it. I’m hoping it just takes a while, but that it can 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.]
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BM: For 2024, CrossFit did say they’re going to have all eight Adaptive divisions compete on the Games — Vision, Short Stature, Seated with Hip Function, Seated without Hip Function, and Mental, along with Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, and Multi Extremity.
AB: Yeah, and I even have lots more confidence that it can change for the higher provided that they’ve made some changes, staff-wise. To not say anything bad on what it was, but I personally know the person who is moving into the role from a programming standpoint.
I’ve been to other competitions where he’s been over the adaptive parts and it was beautifully done. Not perfect, because adaptive divisions are all the time learning and adjusting, and it could be so messy. But so well done. And so the incontrovertible fact that he now has somewhat bit more control in that provides me confidence.
I’ll say, too, that a few of it’s on the adaptive divisions, since it’s very easy for adaptive athletes to be like, “We would like this, we what this, and we wish this.” For one, I get it, but patience. And two, be proactive. When you’re complaining about not having representation, then you have to be paying to indicate up at these competitions and be in the group.
You may’t complain and never do anything. If you wish to see change, be an element of the change while it’s messy.
BM: So, is Adaptive Teen division going to be a thing 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 thing. I’ll say, as messy because it’s been, there’s so many opportunities for adaptive athletes that weren’t a thing after I was a young person. I believe, let’s just keep it going. Let’s do it while it’s messy, even it out, and make room for that in the long run.
BM: There’s a lot possibility on that end. Without delay, you’re training with the East Nashville PRVN team. Are you rubbing elbows with Tia and Shane or is it just whoever’s around?
AB: Yeah, just about. I mean immediately it’s the offseason so obviously Tia and Shane are in Australia. But yeah, that was a giant hurdle for me simply because I used to be really intimidated. My first session with them, I assumed I used to be going to be with one person who I had met and it was just going to be this quiet little “are you in shape or not” thing.
I show up and their whole crew is there. And I used to be like, “Ho-ly crap.” I used to be doing clean & jerks next to Tia just attempting to be as quiet as possible. But yeah, that’s been great.
BM: How does that work, is it just sharing a gym or sharing programming? What’s the day-to-day like in a team atmosphere?
AB: That was actually really different than I used to be used to. But yeah, it’s group and team programming. For me, obviously it was somewhat bit different because I don’t have the identical things as the opposite teams.
Once I joined the team, either side, myself and them, were pretty honest. They were like, “Hey, we haven’t had an adaptive athlete on the team before. So that you’re going to need to tell us, as we go, the way you adapt certain movements.” They’d program for the team and I’d approach them and say, “We’re not going to get this movement in a contest” or “I would like to develop this strength first” or whatever it was, and they might change it for me from there.
As a team, you walk in and clearly everyone’s doing certain movements. They’ll do certain pieces together or everyone’s lifting of their a part of the gym. They’ve a team of athletes, coaches Shane and Dwight, Nick, and a number of others. Everyone’s just walking around.
It’s not quite one-on-one necessarily on a regular basis and it’s not like a fishbowl effect. But you’re doing all your workout and the coaches will approach you to observe certain pieces. And clearly whatever questions we’ve got, we go to them they usually’ll help adjust from there.
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BM: I saw that you simply recently enjoyed reading “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. Did that click with you as an athlete or as a musician?
AB: Oh, that’s an excellent query. Yeah, I’d say possibly it clicked with me more as a musician, but I believe it’s coming from that creative space. It’s very applicable to anything. I’m a really logical human being. When you tell me to do something, OK, but in case you tell me why I’m doing it and the way it can directly apply to the larger picture, then I’m in.
So, as a musician, I didn’t like practicing scales for hours, but I’d do it because I felt the technique difference in the attractive, lyrical music I used to be doing that had technical points of it. It was very easy for me to make that connection.
But with regards to something that feels larger picture and scary, and relies more on a quote-unquote creative sense, I’ll distract myself with, “I’ll return to practicing scales, thanks very much.” It’s harder to have that discipline with something that’s scary.
For me, that book just clicked because, after I read it, I had plans and I knew that I desired to make changes in my job. Just because I desired to make room for training. But additionally, I’m doing lots more speaking engagements and just things for myself as, for lack of one other way of claiming it, myself as a brand. Just doing things that I used to be looking forward to, but additionally were really scary.
And it’s easy to speak about, but to sit down down at a pc and make those things occur was a struggle for me for a very long time, because oftentimes I’d feel overwhelmed and I’d avoid doing those things. Reading that book was just such a practical sense for me of applying something that felt type of mystical and making it, “No, sit down. Day-after-day. And do it.” I used to be like, oh, OK, it’s like the rest. It’s like practicing scales, but otherwise.
BM: Speaking of your mindset, one in all video on the CrossFit Games YouTube channel is your “Fight for One More Rep.” It’s got 360,000 views up to now. 20 seconds to go, still grinding away, you get one last rep.
Once you’re approaching the time cap in an event and, to be frank, if it’s clear you’re not going to win the event, how do you not only think, “Meh, extra rest. I’ll wait.” How do you focus for that yet another rep?
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AB: That is tough and it relies on what situation I’m in. But I believe if I’m going into it with the mindset of, it’s about winning the event, then it’s very easy to offer up.
And I even have gone into events before and I see pretty quickly that I’m not going to win it, and I just need to shut down. Then the workout becomes way worse than it needed to be because I’m all in my head. But I try very hard not make that the vast majority of the time. Especially now, having more competitions and seasoning.
For that specific event, I’ll always remember, a number of the video shows exchanges between me and my coach on the time. And his whole thing that week was “Regardless of what happens, you’ll give every part. You’ve earned your right to be here. You’ll give every part that you might have to prove to yourself that you simply belong. And also you’re not going to crap out now.”
Even before that event, I used to be within the back almost throwing up. I used to be so nervous because I knew the burden was a PR for me. I had never gotten that over my head at that time before. I literally told him “I can’t do that. I don’t need to exit in public and struggle, because I realize it’s going to be a struggle.” He said, “You’ll fight for each second. You is not going to quit.” And I used to be like, “OK.”
I believe that’s what resonated with people, because lots of people did reply to that video. I mean, I used to be last. It wasn’t about winning the event. It was nearly pushing through. And I believe, too, not to drag this card because sometimes I believe it could be overused, but I’m very grateful for having something that makes me very aware of what I even have.
Missing a leg has made me more aware that I even have three full-functioning limbs that I can use to the fullest. And going to other adaptive competitions and seeing individuals with different challenges, and arguably much greater challenges than what I experience, has made me so grateful for what I even have.
And I believe, to indicate up with an attitude like, “Well if I’m not gonna win, I’m not gonna do it in any respect,” is only a slap within the face to everyone that will give a lot to have the movement that I even have. So, yeah, out of respect for myself, but out of respect for those people, I’ll all the time be certain that to work my hardest.
BM: What do you’re thinking that non-CrossFitters — let’s assume not the “haters,” however the ones which might be actually all in favour of finding something useful — what could they get from CrossFit training as an entire?
AB: I’d say seeing the importance of staying consistent with small things, the way it contributes to the massive picture. Since it’s very easy to have a look at people doing muscle-ups, in case you’re a first-timer, and say “Well, I’m never going to try this.”
But you begin with tiny things. “Well, I learned a kip. After which I learned a kipping pull-up. After which I learned a kipping chest-to-bar.” After which a pair months later… Fairly than simply shutting it down. Just do a tiny bit at a time. And that’s so applicable to things outside in life.
I believe also, people can love or hate this phrase, but “entering the pain cave.” It’s one in all the toughest things on the planet to feel physical pain, while you’re just so drained and need to offer up. And the adrenaline you are feeling, even in case you’re not winning, but ending something.
In 75% of my workouts, I can have no less than one point within the workout pondering “I can’t finish this.” But I make myself finish, and that adrenaline rush of “I just did that. I did something that I didn’t think that I could do” has given me a lot confidence and mental stamina to not quit in other areas of my life.
So after I approach my job, it’s like, “That is tiring or this is tough, but I’ll finish it. I’ll accomplish this task.” And that’s so helpful in life.
BM: It sounds almost “meatheady” to say, but there’s a lot carryover from the gym to outside the gym.
AB: Very much, yeah. Meathead or not, it’s true.
BM: Is there the rest about your background or your experiences that you simply want people to find out about?
AB: Not necessarily. I like CrossFit, I like competing. I believe lots of what I need to proceed to do and I’m type of growing into is, after I confer with people, I all the time need to be relatable. So having people understand I didn’t grow up athletic, that I didn’t grow up having confidence, just lots of things.
I believe lots of people can relate to that after they hear “CrossFit,” or perhaps a gym setting usually. It’s just very intimidating. Realize you don’t need to look X, Y, Z to be able to walk right into a gym space. You don’t need to need to compete. You don’t need to want any of those things.
But it surely truly could be a life-changing experience to only do something that you simply’re somewhat bit afraid of, and continue to grow in that, and see where it takes you. Out and in of the gym. I do speaking engagements, there are things which might be coming up I’m really enthusiastic about, but it surely all comes from that. Me wanting to speak that thought.
You don’t need prerequisites to be able to start CrossFit or another sport, or to do things that scare you. You simply must be willing to be somewhat bit uncomfortable and to maintain going after you fail.
BM: Perfect. So what’s one of the best place for people to seek out your stuff?
AB: My website’s just amybream.com. They can even go to onelegtostandon.com, if that’s how they know me. It’s going to be each. And in fact my socials, Instagram and TikTok, mainly. Onelegtostandon.
Featured Image: @onelegtostandon / Instagram