Amantha Wortman
IFBB FIGURE PRO
Many athletes can relate to Amantha's story when it comes to wanting to get into shape, the right way. After fighting with food and weight, Amantha made a decision to figure it out and do it the right way and once she did... she started her journey to be better and better with each competition she entered. But, that is never before her family. Amantha makes family a priority in her life being married and having two children. And, it did not stop her from improving from show to show before getting her Pro Card at the 2018 NPC USA Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada!
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1. When and why did you decide to start competing?
I have always been active, my entire life growing up. From 8 years of competitive cheerleading, to getting my black belt in Tae Kwon Do, I never sat still. Despite my high energy and active life I was never truly happy or confident in my own skin. In middle school, 2001, is when I got hit with extreme self consciousness and took a spin for the worst. Little did I know this was going to be something I was going to battle for the rest of my life. I developed an eating disorder (bulimia) that quickly spiraled out of control and opened the door to anorexia.
When I became pregnant with my son 2008, I focused on what I thought was "clean" eating. When I had him in 2009, I was still battling the disorder and fear of food, within 3 months I had lost all I gained during the pregnancy plus more( total of 40lbs) . Fast forward to 2012, battling both eating disorders for 11 years I feared food, grew anxious, depressed, and left with no self esteem. Instead of feeling bad for myself and letting this cycle continue I decided to take action! I had enough, and was just flat out tired of hating my body ( besides I had a little boy who looked up to me and I needed to be healthy for) I reached out to my now husband and coach, Ryan Wortman, for training and nutrition. 2013, I was pregnant with our daughter and had already started nutrition and lifting in the gym! I had my daughter 2014, once I got the OK from the doctor, I was in the gym training for my first show and never looked back since.
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2. What makes you want to go farther in the sport?
I have set a goal to never stop improving, whether it be in the gym, as a parent, on stage, or as a coach. I set a goal that was, in my eyes, far beyond reach ( to become an IFBB Pro) but after 5 years of consistency, training, drive, self discipline, and old fashioned hard work, my wildest dream came true!
As all competitors we face a lot of challenges and struggles, ups, downs, highs and lows. I know personally I have faced some things I thought I would crumble under, but instead dug down deep and conquered what I thought were the impossible. That alone has given me strength in my life as a whole. I've grown so much as a competitor, mom, coach and as a person I want to be able to be an example that you can set new goals and achieve them, no matter what walk of life you're in. I want to inspire those who are going through tough times, those who doubt themselves, those who think they could never make it. All things are possible.
3. What type of training do you implement during contest prep and the in the off-season?
I don't typically stick to one style of training during prep or in the off-season, I like to switch it up to keep the muscles guessing and keep me from getting bored haha! But once you get down to those last few weeks in prep where your energy, stamina and strength are minimal/ being tested, I will lighten the weight to get those reps in. Both in prep and Off-season I always train past failure. In the off-season, I tend to lift heavier, given the extra calories and carbs. At the end of my workouts, I go back to light weights or bands to finish out and burn out anything I've potentially got left.
4. What is your favorite type of dieting meals and what is your favorite type of cheat meal?
My meals in prep are very similar to what I eat in the off-season, because it is a lifestyle for me, they're just not as restricted and larger portions. I love rice, rice cakes, veggies, ground turkey, chicken and beef. While in prep I love to make big salads, stuffed bell peppers or stir fry with my ground turkey. For my cheat meals, I LOVE a giant burger and fries! ( or tater tots haha)
5. Who are some of the people that have helped you along the way to get where you are now in life or in the sport?
I am truly grateful for every person that has crossed my path in this sport. Whether they have encouraged me, tried to set me off course, filled me with motivation and support or have tried to bring me down. Each time it has given me strength in different ways.
I am self driven, self disciplined, competitive, ambitious, and have strong work ethic. I have my incredible parents to thank, Tina Nash and Brian Smith for that! They have always been my biggest supporters no matter what crazy adventure I chose to go on. They've never allowed me to give less than my best efforts in anything I do, to stay committed and follow through with what I set out to do, quitting is never an option. They set a strong foundation within me that will never break, and I am forever grateful for them.
Ryan Wortman, has the tough job of playing the 2 most major roles in my life, as my coach and husband! Being a coach/husband has an entirely different definition and set of responsibilities. He has been the one to tell me to get my mind straight, suck it up and keep pushing. He's helped prep my meals, gone to fun places to change up my cardio and sometimes participated to support me, checked in with me daily to make sure I was on target. He has been the one who has supported me, motivated me, never let me give up or fail. More than once he's been my lighthouse in a sense when the end goal was out of sight. Without my support team, I wouldn't be where I am today.
6. Who or what inspires you to strive for more in the sport?
It might sound cliché, but I've always stood out and liked to be different than the majority. I never settle or stay in one place in life because I have a fire within that's hungry for more than being just an average person. I know my abilities, I know what I am capable of and wont take a back seat to my goals or potential. I constantly test myself, see how far I really can take things, and push myself past breaking points regularly. I am a perfectionist by nature with a lot of energy, so for me this is a perfect outlet to channel those things. The feeling you get from accomplishing a goal or dream you never thought was possible, or realistic is incomparable.
7. What is next for you as a competitor?
After winning my class, and earning my Pro card at USA's in July, I will be taking a year or so off to focus on my pro debut. It will be mostly growing, working on details, and making adjustments. I will also be taking that year to put more focus back into my family life as well as my social life. Once we've come close to achieving what it is I'm set out for, I will be making my pro debut, but there isn't a rush for me to get back on the stage just yet.
8. What is your favorite memory good or bad while prepping or competing?
Honestly, each prep leading into a show has its own identity or memory. I strive to improve every time I step foot on stage, so my preps were all different and unique to their own. Different people we meet along the way, highs, lows, challenges and successes. This last prep leading into USA's was definitely one I will always remember and hold close. First time being with hundreds of high caliber athletes, all after the same thing, and yet nobody had an ego or pride that were bigger than their hearts. These were the most courteous, friendly, mature, welcoming, and kind women I have ever competed with! We all knew we had given our all, we all made sacrifices, we all trained our hardest, and gave our very last bits of our best to be on that stage, and I think with that comes a certain amount of respect. I loved that we all helped one another, gave tips, shared laughs, stories and rice cakes ( haha!) We knew it was solely up to the judges, so the hugs, congratulations, and new friendships were truly genuine.
9. Any website you would like to plug, Facebook, Twitter, personal site, etc...
You can connect with me at Facebook: amantha.marie.7, Instagram: ifbb_pro_amantha.wortman and our gym website www.rawfitness.training.
10. Anything you would like to say to all the visitors to NPC Oregon?
To all of you who support us throughout the process, we greatly appreciate you! It's just as hard on us to have to miss out on get togethers, outings, trips, vacations, missing family and friend functions. Your patience, encouragement, and understanding don't go unnoticed. Without you guys many of us wouldn't have come as far as we have. Thank you!