Pulse August 2015 | Page 30

CONVERSATIONS WITH AMY PURDY CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 2 6 “While in my snowboarding career I do want to beat the other racers, what I'm really trying to do is beat myself.” supporting myself without being tied down to having to be in one place. The freedom it allowed me is what drew me to it and I loved it. That’s why I got into it, but I ended up falling in love with it because I realized I enjoy being a healer. The healing arts are fascinating to me, there is so much to learn about our bodies, energy and how we share it with the world. Being a massage therapist is incredibly rewarding. I then went on to be an esthetician and makeup artist for 10 years. P: How do you live the spa lifestyle? P: I have been a part of the spa and wellness world longer than P: As a professional snowboarding medal-winner, you are very competitive. What fuels your competitive spirit? P: Passion. While in my snowboarding career I do want to beat the other racers, what I’m really trying to do is beat myself. I’m always trying to be a better version of me, in whatever I’m doing, and if I’m successful in doing that, then I’m constantly improving and I believe that will lead both to success and personal satisfaction. So far, so good! P: Prior to contracting meningitis, you worked as a massage therapist. What inspired you to become one and what was that experience like for you? P: I chose to become a massage therapist so I could travel the world and have this amazing career that would travel with me. Being a massage therapist would allow me to have a means of 28 PULSE n August 2015 any other, spending all of my 20s as a massage therapist, makeup artist and esthetician. I worked for Canyon Ranch in the Venetian which was by far one of the best companies I have ever worked for, as well as many other spas, including The Beverly Hilton. But now that I have moved on to other ventures, I do my best to live the lifestyle as much as possible. I travel a lot so I always seek out healthy, clean eating spots close to my hotel. I wake up, hit a juice bar for a green drink, go to the gym and if there is time I hit the sauna or steam room, which is always the best way to end any workout. I stretch, I do a little yoga. I feel so good about m yself when I can start my day with these things, there is no reason we should only do it as a luxury. It’s more of a necessity for me. P: What’s next on your bucket list? P: To speak at the ISPA Conference, of course! n