And This Is Where It Gets Messy
I was 24 years old and bed-ridden.
Obese, dealing with back problems, pre-diabetic, and quietly fighting battles in my own head that I didn’t have the words for yet. That was my starting point. Not exactly the origin story you’d expect from someone who ended up owning a fitness facility, winning a kickboxing match, and competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu — but it’s mine, and I’m not going to gloss over it.
Because the messy parts are kind of the whole point.
How KickBasics Started
I lost just over 100 pounds and somewhere in that process, something shifted in me. I stopped just surviving and started figuring out what I was actually capable of. I stepped into a ring and won a kickboxing match. I started coaching women. And then I opened my first spot.
It was small. It was dingy. I couldn’t turn the heat on unless I was physically there, and the washroom was a trek through the back of a warehouse. It was not glamorous. But it was mine, and it was a start.
That was back in 2016. We moved into a bigger one-room space we all called “The Studio” in 2017. I kept competing — kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu — kept coaching, kept building. Then in 2018 I broke my knee. Surgery in 2019. A year of recovery that rolled straight into March 2020, which had plans of its own.
The pandemic pushed my mental health to the front of the line in a way I couldn’t ignore anymore. So I stopped ignoring it. I spent time actually dealing with it, which is honestly one of the hardest and most important things I’ve ever done.
Now I’m back competing in jiu-jitsu, refocused on my physical health, and KickBasics just moved into our most beautiful space yet — The Loft — in February. We’re coming up on ten years this June.
Ten years. I still can’t quite believe it.
So What Is Chaos Grenade?
Chaos Grenade: Pull the pin. Embrace the chaos. Reclaim your life.
Here’s the thing I’ve learned over and over again in my own life — the biggest changes don’t happen when everything is calm and controlled and perfectly timed. They happen when you blow up the comfortable, familiar rut you’ve been sitting in and do something different. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. It’s chaotic.
And it is always, always worth it.
Chaos Grenade is my coaching blog and lifestyle coaching approach built around that idea. It’s for the woman who knows something needs to change but doesn’t know where to start. The woman who is so stretched thin by life that putting herself first feels almost selfish. The woman who just needs someone in her corner saying you can do this — and meaning it.
I’ve been that woman. I coach that woman. And I built my entire space around making it easier for that woman to walk through the door.
How I Coach
I’m not here to put you on a scale and make you feel bad about the number. My focus is on what you’re capable of — how strong you can get, what your body can do when you actually fuel it and take care of it. Food is fuel. Self-care isn’t a reward, it’s part of the program. Confidence is the goal, and we build it together, one small win at a time.
I’m certified in personal training, nutrition, kickboxing, group fitness, and online coaching. But more than any of that — I’ve lived this. I know what it feels like to start from a really hard place. I know what it feels like to have your progress derailed by injury, by life, by your own mind. I also know what’s waiting on the other side of all of it.
I try to be accessible. Approachable. Real. My space is clean and welcoming and designed with women in mind, because I’ve spent years paying attention to the barriers that keep women from showing up for themselves — and doing my best to remove as many of them as possible.
Welcome to the Blog
This is the first post of many. I’ll be sharing coaching insights, my own ongoing journey, and everything I’ve learned — and keep learning — about what it actually takes to reclaim your life when it feels like it’s gotten away from you.
If any of this resonates with you, stick around. And if you’ve been thinking about taking that first step toward working together — I’d love to hear from you.
Pull the pin. It’s going to be a little chaotic.
That’s kind of the whole point.
— Amanda Founder, KickBasics | Creator, Chaos Grenade Lifestyle Coaching
What a great story!
So proud of you as a woman for telling your story and seeing and following your dream.
I also struggle. I have no motivation and in pain everyday, can’t even walk without hurting. Now I know this is all pertaining to previous injuries, not eating right, no muscles or core strength. Also, from gaining a lot of weight over time. I also know what i need to prevent all this, but have no motivation or support team to encourage me. Yes I need someone to kick my butt into action sadly lol
I am really looking forward to hearing your stories, maybe it will help me with that said motivation I need.
Thank you for being the voice for us ladies that dont have one!
I hope that I can somehow help you through the struggle. I know it isn’t easy and it can be so lonely feeling. Yet I’m proud of you for not giving up yet. You deserve to feel good and feel good about yourself.
You’re an inspiration Amanda. I appreciate your ability to make us all feel confident in our own ability and providing the push we sometimes need to push farther. I love our kickboxing community!
<3 Thank you so much!!!