Table Talk with Amanda Kloots
Known by the world for her dazzling personality, perseverance and unyielding optimism, the ever-inspiring Amanda Kloots wears many, many hats. In addition to her important title as Mom, this former Broadway dancer and Radio City Rockette turned celebrity fitness trainer is now also an author, apparel designer and newest co-host of The Talk on CBS. Despite experiencing unspeakable loss over the last year, Amanda has continued to spread hope and smiles to others during uncertain times. Her unmatchable spirit, genuine kindness and motivational words are something to be admired… and replicated.
Initially drawn to the Amanda’s high energy AK! workouts, the trainer-trainee relationship between Amanda and Rondel founder Lindsey Boyd, quickly developed into a friendship following the discovery of a mutual love for all things performance art – dancing, singing, theater, etc. Even though the friendship is now bicoastal, this dynamic duo continues to check in, support and cheer each other on in all endeavors. As Lindsey says, “Amanda has the best smile and radiates positive energy. If we all had a little Amanda in our lives, the world would be a much better place!”
Read on for a little Table Talk with our Rond Table Guest, Amanda Kloots.
My first experience with dance was…
In 4th grade. I went to a performing arts middle school, and dance was one of the classes that I was required to take. It was the first time that I started to dance.
The people seated at my rond table are…
My Los Angeles Rond Table is an eclectic group of new friends and old friends. I’m very lucky to have a really great community of family here that I’ve gotten closer to, especially recently: my friends Sarah and Rachel who are dancing friends; my friend Zach who I met on a Broadway show; my friends Lauren and Thom who are new friends from Bandier here in Los Angeles; my girlfriend Vasthy who I did my first Broadway show with.
I made the move from dance to fitness because…
I had been performing for 16 years, and the show I was currently performing in was slated to be the next big Broadway show. I was picturing three years on Broadway and really being able to kind of set myself up in a good way, and then it didn’t become that. It closed after three months, which was a huge shock and really sad. At the same time, I was going through a divorce. So, I found myself alone and scared for my future as a woman and knowing that I one day wanted a family and one day wanted a home and wanted to be able to support myself. And I thought I can’t keep doing this. I need to make sure I have something concrete in my life – something stable. This on and off employment, or thinking I have a great job for a while and then I don’t just started to wear and tear at me at 34 years old. So, I decided that I was going to start my own business and my own fitness business and that was the impetus behind all of that.
Each AK! workout was inspired by…
Different things. My rope workout was inspired by just being ready to do anything at any time and needing a piece of equipment that you could use anywhere for all of the things. I am a big believer in not needing a lot of equipment to be able to work out, so I loved the idea that you could take a jump rope and use it for cardio and toning. My dance workout was definitely inspired by all of my years performing and dancing. My body workout was inspired by my private clients and my two-minute workout was inspired by my husband, Nick.
My go-to smoothie is…
I love smoothies, and I use a company called Bumpin Blends, and they deliver pre-made smoothies in the shape of 6 ice cubes that you just put in a blender, add your favorite milk and blend away. They come in all different flavors and they’re really healthy, and I love them.
I started the HOORAY FOR t-shirt line because…
My little sister and I always wanted to go into business together, and we had played around with the idea for so long of what would we do? Then we had this great idea of celebrating the things in life that we love, that make us smile, that keep us positive. We wanted to shout “hooray” for those things. It was in the midst of the pandemic and in the midst of Nick’s battle with COVID, and we wanted to give back also. We were receiving so much love and so many gifts and so many beautiful things every day from people who didn’t even know us, and we just thought, gosh… how do we ever give back? So, we thought that this t-shirt line giving 50% of the proceeds every month to a charity would be a great way to do that.
My hopes for my (new!) journey on The Talk are…
My hope is that I learn. I’m very into evolving and growing as a woman. I think that to stay stale and stagnant is boring, and I’m excited to continue to challenge myself, to continue to learn from the four other women that are co-hosting with me, but then also to learn from the amazing team and amazing crew here at The Talk on CBS.
My goal(s) for 2021 include…
Just to be a great mom to my little boy, Elvis. He is the highlight of my life, and I feel so lucky to have him.
The first thing I do in the morning is…and the last thing I do before bed...
The first thing I do in the morning is... I make coffee! I pride myself on my one cup of coffee a day, and I love it. The last thing I do before bed is… I’ve been trying to read before bed. It’s a new habit, to not be on my phone; to read, even if it’s a little bit, before I close my eyes.
My theme song is…
Probably “Carry on” by Fun.
Something about me you may not know is…
I can play the trumpet, I can sort of play the piano and I was a Majorette, so I can also twirl the baton. Those are some hidden talents.
My mantra is…
Make yourself as big as you can!
A family pass-down I cherish the most is…
I think just the tradition to pray and to be grateful for all of the blessings in your life and to thank God for everything that you have in your life. That is something that I was raised with, and it definitely is something that I have grown stronger in as a woman going through many different changes in my life… How important it is to remember to pray and to remember to be thankful for those blessings that you have in your life.
My story, my style in a word…
Girly.
The Rondel piece that speaks to me…
I love my necklace very much. I love a heart, so I think this big hot pink heart engraved on the back with “Live Your Life” is beautiful. I love pink, and I love a heart! So that’s probably my favorite piece.
Amanda's Yard Sale Look
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