About Amy

Hi, I’m Amy, founder of Life Zemplified, I’m passionate about sharing information, ideas, techniques, and strategies to improve life – for a healthier & richer future.

I’ve been a certified nutrition & health coach and personal trainer, helping people improve their eating and exercise habits as well as manage stress as some of the first steps in achieving greater well-being.

I love talking personal finance and helping others find their path to financial freedom. I’ve owned a couple of businesses, worked in project management and HR, and left the cubicle for good last year.

My time is now focused on family, this blog, and two additional websites – the award-winning Women Who Money and Women’s Money Talk – I started with Vicki from Make Smarter Decisions.

Early in life, I became interested in fitness, joining the local gym with friends during high school. ‘Pumping iron’ was physically and mental transforming for me and while very enjoyable, I didn’t see it as a career at the time. I hoped to be a Psychologist.

During my first year of college, a part-time job I had turned full-time and a career in Human Resources took off. College fell by the wayside as other parts of my life – work, marriage, and children – charged ahead.

My legs on the cover of the Health & Fitness section of the Detroit News!

Time spent on health and fitness ebbed and flowed, but my interest never went away. Eventually, I earned fitness certifications – personal trainer and group fitness instructor – and my first business, Total Fitness Design, was born.

Initially, I worked with clients in their homes, schools or workplaces, eventually opening my personal training studio. Total Fitness Design operated for four years. Ultimately I sold the business in late 1999 to devote more time to my young family.

That’s me holding our signature strawberry salad and a slice of our pecan tart

Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug again 5 years later, I opened a loose-leaf tea store and healthy food restaurant in 2004 with my mom as my partner. Just over a year, later readers of the local newspaper chose us as the “Favorite Local Restaurant” in Birmingham, MI. At the end of 2006, we sold the business after receiving an unexpected offer and seeing signs of a weakening economy.

Eventually, I returned to school, always having a love of learning and trying new things. In 2012 I received my Integrative Studies Bachelor’s Degree from Oakland University with a minor in Human Resource Development and concentration in Exercise & Health Sciences.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” ~ Albert Einstein

For a dozen years, I worked in the automotive industry continuing to stay involved in wellness, by serving on corporate wellness committees and coaching, while adding to my education and certifications. In 2015, I refocused much of my education on nutrition and partnered with Precision Nutrition to stay informed, credentialed and capable of providing a sound, evidence-based nutrition, and transformation program.

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” ~ Confucius

In 2013 I discovered the personal finance blogging world and life has not been the same since. It’s now simpler but richer, and much more secure.

My passion for sharing and helping others find wellness led me to start Life Zemplifed and now this blog. Today I am happy to teach, motivate and support others on their journey to feel great, look awesome, set & attain growth goals, be passionately curious and live life whole, to the fullest!

What else? My husband John and I enjoy DIY projects, upcycling, hiking, kayaking, indoor rock climbing, and golf.

Our children, walks on the beach, and beautiful sunrises & sunsets give us pure joy. I’m a little bit country; he’s a little bit classic rock-n-roll. We share our home with my mom and some occasional wildlife in Michigan and our vacation/future retirement spot in Florida.

Life is a journey ~ Be well in it!

Amy

That was Side A…for Side B you can click here.