MOST Magazine Fitness JUN'15 ISSUE NO.2 | Page 92

Photo Credit: Wainwright Images Location Portland Oregon www.facebook.com/wainwrightimages www.wainwrightimages.com and they give up. This way of thinking drives the fitness expert crazy. “What is giving up going to do anyway? Put you back to where you started? If something feels hard, that is typically your body changing, and that is GOOD. In all aspects of life, you have to struggle to progress.” She even has days in prep where it feels impossible, and she does not see the changes in her body. “The only difference between me and the person who never reaches their goals is: I just keep going. You have to constantly remind yourself of this because this sport is so much more of a mental battle than anything else. So get started now and, if you fall off the wagon, just get back on.” find them watching the Food Network, playing with their animal, or cuddled up on the couch watching movies. The Fokkens share a love for fitness. Very much alike, they both have the same hobbies and have been fortunate enough to work side by side in this industry. When they are not involved with dieting or in the gym, they like to watch movies, go out to eat, take long walks outside together, and travel. As our time with this competitor draws to an end, we asked what fitness means to her. “Fitness to me is living a life that is healthy in all aspects.” Just because someone looks healthy on the outside and is “fit” does not by any means mean she is healthy on the inside, too. “A balanced lifestyle is one without extremes. Fitness should be fun! It should be something you do for yourself and something you feel good about doing.” They currently reside in South Dakota. “My husband grew up here and, although we travel all the time, this will always be home for him.” If we found the fitness duo at home, we might 92 || FITNESS M A G A Z I N E || JUNE 2015 || EDITION 1 o what comes next for this talented competitor? She will be expanding her online training business with her husband, Brandan. They have some exciting projects in the works that keep them very busy. Amber would like to write a book, publish a recipe collection, continue to develop her website and, of course, start a family of her own. “I am excited to be a mom and implement a healthy lifestyle and training program while being pregnant and having children as well.”