Inspired by the Youtube greats, and famous for her bike stand to flip on Instagram, today we’re getting to know Amanda Ruby about her journey to sobriety.
Name: Amanda Ruby
Socials: Instagram & Youtube – amandajean_BMX, Twitch – amandajean420
Age: 29
Hometown: Oshkosh, WI
What is your BMX origin story – How did you get into BMX? I had always been interested in the more extreme sports. I was a gymnast throughout my childhood, and I did some figure skating and skiing as well. In 2017 I stumbled across Scotty Cranmer’s youtube channel, which immediately sparked an interest in me. I started watching Scotty’s channel, along with Jay Dalton and Spencer Foresman’s and knew I had to try BMX. So for my 24th birthday, my husband bought me my first BMX bike.Â
I think you might be the only person to do a bike stand to flip, where did you get that idea from? I will always have a strong passion for gymnastics, and am constantly doing handstands, flips, and tricks. I really enjoy the creative side to BMX and wanted to incorporate gymnastics into riding. So, a simple front handspring turned into that! I haven’t seen it done from the seat, but there’s a flatland trick doing it from the pedals.
Let’s talk about your journey to sobriety, what were the moments you realized things had to change and what were your steps? I’ve battled with mental health my entire life, as I have terrible anxiety and panic attacks, along with tourettic OCD. From very early on I started using drugs and alcohol to try to deal with this, and pretty quickly I sunk into a routine of drinking every afternoon/night. I got married to my soulmate in 2018, who was also in that same routine, which made it easy not to change. in 2021 we were involved in an alcohol-related incident that resulted in both of us being put on probation. It took a failed alcohol test with the threat of going to jail to get us to quit. But we did it! Not a drop of alcohol since October 14th, 2021!Â
How are you doing today? I’m doing well. It’s a constant struggle with anxiety and OCD, but staying strong with the support of my husband.
Three people who inspire you and why:
- My brother. Everything he’s struggled at, he has turned into one of his strengths.
- Chellsie Memmel. To be an Olympic gymnast in the first place is incredible. but to have two children, and then make a comeback, is unreal.
- Jay Dalton. My favorite BMX rider who also happens to ride left foot forward and goofy. His riding never ceases to amaze me and proves you can always go higher. Through some unfortunate injuries, he’s never slowed down.
How do you spend your days off your bike? With my husband and our three cats! We spend a lot of time playing video games, but also really enjoy being out in nature and fishing.
Your biggest fear? My husband dying. I’m also extremely afraid of accidentally doing something that hurts somebody.
Your proudest accomplishment? The skills I learned in gymnastics and the progress I’ve made in BMX.
Your top three future goals you want to achieve:
- High airs, 360s, and consistent fakies.
- Get full routines on all 4 events in gymnastics.
- Kind of an odd one, but getting my medications figured out.
