Detailed Summary of "CHEERS! with Avery Woods" Episode: "Protecting Your Peace | Olivia Amato"

Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of CHEERS! with Avery Woods, host Avery Woods welcomes fitness extraordinaire Olivia Amato to discuss the crucial theme of "Protecting Your Peace." The conversation delves deep into Olivia's transformative journey from a finance professional to a celebrated Peloton instructor, her advocacy for mental health, and strategies for maintaining personal well-being amidst a demanding public persona.

Olivia Amato's Journey: From Finance to Fitness

Transitioning Careers: Olivia opens up about her unexpected shift from the finance sector to the fitness industry. A former finance professional with a background from Fordham University, Olivia shares how her competitive nature and passion for numbers initially led her to a banking internship.

Olivia Amato [09:06]: "I was really competitive with myself. If someone said I couldn't do something, I would prove them wrong."

However, the rigidity and monotony of desk jobs didn't align with her vibrant personality. Seeking more fulfillment, Olivia began attending fitness classes with clients, which ignited her passion for instructing.

Becoming a Peloton Instructor: Her dedication led her to audition for Peloton, marking the beginning of a successful six-year tenure with the company. As one of the original instructors, Olivia played a pivotal role in launching Peloton's tread and bike programs.

Olivia Amato [12:35]: "I started teaching at a boxing studio on the side, got obsessed, and then auditioned for Peloton. That was the turning point."

Morning Routines and Personal Life

Balancing Responsibilities: Olivia details her dynamic morning routines, which revolve around caring for her dogs and preparing for her classes. Her mornings are a blend of personal responsibilities and professional commitments, often starting as early as 4:30 AM.

Olivia Amato [05:46]: "Feeding them, walking them, all that stuff—and I do all of that before coffee. Crazy, but kids first."

Supportive Partnership: Her husband, supportive and understanding, occasionally joins her classes and manages interactions with fans, allowing Olivia to maintain her energetic public persona while he handles more serious tasks.

Olivia Amato [32:51]: "He deals with it really well. He's more serious, so he balances my high-energy side."

Advocacy for Mental Health

Personal Struggles and Advocacy: A significant portion of the conversation centers on mental health. Olivia candidly discusses her battles with ADHD and depression, emphasizing the importance of breaking stigmas surrounding mental health issues.

Olivia Amato [14:11]: "Mental health is a part of me. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has their things they go through."

Influence of Mel Robbins: Olivia credits Mel Robbins' "Five-Second Rule" for helping her shift her mindset from negativity to positivity, transforming her daily outlook.

Olivia Amato [07:21]: "The five-second rule is so true. It allows me to let go of negative thoughts quickly."

Impact of Social Media: She also shares her experiences during the pandemic, where increased social media scrutiny impacted her mental well-being, highlighting the need for mental resilience in the digital age.

Olivia Amato [07:35]: "Social media blew up, and it really affected me negatively. Therapy and tools like the 'Let Them Theory' opened my eyes."

Balancing Public Persona and Personal Boundaries

Selective Sharing: Olivia discusses her approach to maintaining a balance between her public persona and personal life. By selectively sharing aspects of her life on social media, she fosters a deeper connection with her audience while safeguarding her peace.

Olivia Amato [31:34]: "I'm gonna share what I want to share. The people who are gonna like me are gonna like me, and the rest don't matter."

Husband's Support: Her husband plays a supportive role, handling fan interactions and managing Olivia's public image, which allows her to focus on her classes and personal well-being.

Olivia Amato [32:51]: "He deals with the public side really well. It's a team effort."

Personal Anecdotes and Office Pranks

Maintaining Joy: Adding a lighthearted touch, Olivia shares stories about her love for office pranks, illustrating her playful and energetic personality.

Olivia Amato [23:35]: "I turned my husband into a girl with a wig and sent him a picture. He didn't recognize me and was freaking out!"

Impact of Pranks: These anecdotes not only showcase Olivia's sense of humor but also highlight the supportive and fun dynamics within her personal life.

Olivia Amato [24:19]: "He was at a dinner and someone asked him about me. I sent him a prank picture, and he was like, 'I've never seen this girl!' It was hilarious."

Maintaining Physical and Mental Health as an Instructor

Challenges of Teaching: Olivia discusses the challenges of transitioning her fitness routine from a personal outlet to a professional responsibility, including the impact on her mental health.

Olivia Amato [34:33]: "Coming to terms with the fact that it's my job now and finding other things that aren't my job has been a learning process."

Importance of Sleep and Boundaries: She emphasizes the critical role of sleep and setting boundaries to protect her mental health, despite the demanding schedule of teaching five days a week.

Olivia Amato [41:53]: "I need to sleep more. I'm horrible with sleep."

Strategies for Well-Being: Olivia shares strategies such as putting her phone on "Do Not Disturb" to avoid nighttime scrolling and ensuring she has time to unwind, like sitting on the couch with her dogs.

Olivia Amato [42:48]: "Putting my phone on Do Not Disturb has been essential to prevent late-night spirals."

Lightning Round: Personal Preferences and Fun Facts

To add a personal touch, Avery engages Olivia in a lightning round of quick questions, covering topics like favorite meals, dream vacations, and unexpected personal facts.

Favorite Meal: Olivia admits her struggles with food fixations, especially common with ADHD, but currently enjoys the Pura Vita Bowl, a healthy veggie option.

Olivia Amato [44:56]: "Right now, I've been getting the Pura Vita Bowl. It's like a veggie bowl."

Dream Vacation: Her dream vacation destination is Japan, reflecting her love for culture and cuisine.

Olivia Amato [48:35]: "My dream vacation destination is Japan. I'm excited to eat my way through the country!"

Unique Fact: A quirky personal fact she shares is that she was supposed to be a twin but "ate her twin," referring to a twin embryo that didn't survive.

Olivia Amato [52:02]: "I was supposed to be a twin, but I ate my twin. It's kind of weird."

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Olivia encourages listeners to connect with her through Peloton and social media platforms, emphasizing the importance of community and support in both fitness and mental health.

Olivia Amato [52:57]: "You can find me on Peloton, Instagram, TikTok, and all the fun stuff. Join my classes and let's protect our peace together."

Throughout the conversation, Olivia underscores the significance of protecting one's peace through self-awareness, setting boundaries, and prioritizing mental health. Her inspiring journey and honest discussions offer valuable insights for anyone striving to maintain balance in a fast-paced, public-facing role.

Notable Quotes

• On Mental Health and the Five-Second Rule:

  Olivia Amato [07:21]: "The five-second rule is so true. It's like you can give yourself the grace... let it go."

• On Balancing Public Persona:

  Olivia Amato [31:34]: "I'm gonna share what I want to share. And the people who are gonna like me are gonna like me."

• On Morning Routines:

  Olivia Amato [05:46]: "Feeding them, walking them, all that stuff—and I do all of that before coffee. Crazy, but kids first."

This episode serves as an empowering guide on maintaining personal well-being amidst professional demands, showcasing Olivia Amato's exemplary journey and commitment to mental health advocacy.