Amy is a professional athlete, career-woman, mother and the founder of the One Step Ahead Foundation.
After losing her left leg below the knee due to a motorcycle accident that occurred in 1994, Amy compiled a tremendous portfolio of world records and firsts for a female amputee in marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons. As she attained more and more achievements, she found herself in the position of being a role model, especially for young people with physical disabilities of their own. She soon found herself working extensively with children, introducing them to sports and athletics as a way of helping them overcome their physical limitations. After several years, Amy founded the One Step Ahead Foundation in order to provide even more opportunities for children with physical disabilities.
In 2011, Amy became the first female amputee to finish the Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile course starting at 282 feet below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal, the trail head to Mount Whitney.
In February 2014, Amy completed Ultraman Florida. This performance during the 6.2 mile swim, 261.4 mile Bike and 52.4 mile run earned her yet another world record for female para-athletes. Later that same year, Amy was the first para-athlete to complete the 2014 Obstacle Racing World Championships, a mandatory obstacle completion format, earning her second place in her age group.
As an AGOGE and two time Death Race Finisher, Summer 2014 and Summer 2018, Amy continues to push the boundaries of what is perceived as a limit. Durning the 2018 Death Race, 36 hours into the event after countless miles, task and 3500 burpees, Amy set the longest distance crawled under barbed wire for 12 consecutive hours for both female and para-athletes.
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Show notes
Growing up and loving the outdoors
Playing outside all day, everyday
How running became a big part of her life
How running was an equaliser
Not taking anything seriously
The next steps after high school
Getting a scholarship
Dropping out of college and getting a full time job to support herself
Deciding to run a marathon
Running her first marathon in 3hrs 24 mins….
Qualifying for the Boston Marathon
Starting to run longer distances
Getting hit by a car and fighting to save her leg for 3 years
Being worries about losing her job
Having her leg amputated at 21 years old
Not being able to afford counselling
10 years to find the right prosthetic leg for her
Running the Chicago Marathon in 2006
Being given a second chance
A step A head Prosthetics
"What do you want to do with your life?”
Having a goal to run 100 miles
Believe
Helping to get someone else through the marathon
The journey of getting to run 100 miles
Having trouble breathing while running fast miles
Running at a slower pace for longer distances
Becoming a Mighty Mum and doing her first obstacle race
Wanting to run at Western States in California and be the first athlete with an prosthetic to cross the finish line
Managing pain and dealing with pain
The recovery process after big races
Working full time (60-70 hrs per week), with 6 children aged from 9 years old to 18 years old
Helping other people to achieve their goals
Beta-alanine Supplement
Being a single mum to two children
What training looks like
Running on a treadmill versus running on the road
Final words of advice to motivate and inspire you
Social Media
Website www.seeamyrun.com
Facebook @seeamyrun
Instagram @amybkw1
Twitter @runamyrun
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