CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode Title: strength, grief & motherhood | amanda kloots
Date: March 9, 2026
Guests: Amanda Kloots
Host: Avery Woods
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and candid conversation, host Avery Woods is joined by Amanda Kloots—performer, entrepreneur, fitness innovator, and mother. Over a relaxed chat, Amanda reflects on her multi-hyphenate career, her devastating experience of losing her husband Nick Cordero to Covid, motherhood, finding joy and strength through grief, the wellness journey that transformed her life, and the unique, unbreakable bond with her son, Elvis.
The episode is full of wisdom, sincerity, light moments, and actionable insights—not just about resilience but about loving life after loss, parenting, nurturing ambition, and prioritizing wellbeing. Amanda’s candidness about grief, career pivots, and self-care offers a relatable, empowering listen for anyone juggling life’s challenges.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Style & Pop Culture
- Amanda and Avery kick things off discussing the resurgence of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic minimalist style (02:00), inspired by the Hulu show “Love Story.”
- Both note how TV and pop culture influence fashion cycles and spark nostalgia. Amanda admires actress Sarah’s (the show’s Carolyn) breakout moment. (02:44)
Defining the Multi-Hyphenate Life
- Amanda describes herself as a “performer, entrepreneur, a person who likes to do it all” resisting career labels. “I would just say a multi hyphenate. A lover of multi hyphenates.” (03:36, Amanda)
- She emphasizes the importance of resisting boxes, prompting a conversation about motherhood as a core identity. (04:01)
Unique Names and Family Stories
- The two bond over their kids’ nontraditional names—Amanda’s son Elvis, Avery’s children Ziggy and Stevie—sharing the stories and meaning behind them. (04:17)
- On the pushback they each received for choosing original names, Amanda laughs: “Oh, that’s what I got too.” (04:28)
- Amanda shares that Elvis wasn't directly named after Elvis Presley, but the name carried personal and musical layers for their family. (04:33)
The ICU, Grief, and Living Through the Pandemic (07:00–16:39)
- Amanda opens up about her husband Nick’s sudden illness—healthy with no classic Covid symptoms, then crashing suddenly. She details the shock and naivete of the early pandemic, and the helplessness of watching a loved one slip away (09:31).
- “Nick was 41… young and just ready to start living. And then everything just came to a close.” (13:07, Amanda)
- Avery and Amanda both honor healthcare workers, with Amanda offering heartfelt praise for ICU nurses and recounting the global support she received during Nick’s illness (07:41).
- Candidly discusses regret (“Could I have done… could I have...?”) and the long, practical aftermath of loss: “Death is such a business ... when you’re already upset.” (13:07)
- Amanda reveals that her son Elvis was only 10 months old when Nick was hospitalized; the dual realities of new motherhood and widowhood shaped every aspect of her life.
Surviving with Children After Loss
- Amanda shares wisdom passed to her by Nick’s mother:
“If Nick passes, Elvis will save you… He will give you something to smile at every day, to live for, to strive for. … The bond I have with Elvis is… just like my favorite thing in the entire world.” (15:00–16:18, Amanda)
- She stresses the power of getting through one day at a time and passes along this advice to other widows and widowers.
Amanda’s Midwest Upbringing & Broadway Dreams (16:43–23:48)
- Amanda grew up in Canton, Ohio, with loving parents who raised five close-knit siblings. “It was the quintessential Midwest upbringing… family dinner at 6pm when my dad would walk through the door.” (16:53, Amanda)
- She started dancing in 4th grade, fell in love with performing, and pursued musical theater in NYC after high school after not breaking into the top conservatories (18:00–19:22).
- “Three days before I graduated, booked my first national Broadway tour—42nd Street—at 20 years old.” (19:21, Amanda)
- Became a Radio City Rockette, and later, returned to Broadway as a singer, thanks to years of training and finding the right teacher (20:33–22:28).
Transition to TV—Co-Hosting 'The Talk'
- Amanda’s public grieving experience during Covid led to guest hosting, then full-time co-hosting The Talk (23:00–24:08).
- Insights on the difference between Broadway and live TV: “Broadway, you can hide behind a character. TV hosting, you really are bringing yourself to the set.” (24:08, Amanda)
- The live aspect was intense: “There were times where I’d be sobbing because Elvis would say something… and then I would have to... get on air and talk about how the new hot color for spring is orange.” (27:50, Amanda)
- She describes the emotional duality and stamina required to perform, especially during deep personal grief.
Health, Wellness, and the Power of Fitness (37:15–49:18)
- Amanda’s relationship with fitness has evolved from trying to stay thin on tour (“fitness is to be very, very skinny”) to finding joy, community, and mental health benefits. (37:49, Amanda)
- After divorce, fitness became therapy—“I was coming into this studio sad, depressed, crying… After working out… feeling like a million bucks.” (38:25)
- She explains launching Amanda Kloots Fitness and her unique jump rope class:
“There’s nothing like it in the city… eventually I was teaching that class to sold out classes with waitlists. And then created my own jump rope and… a dance class, a full body class, and a mama and me class.” (40:45–42:22, Amanda)
- On teaching: “My whole motto: it is a privilege to work out. … If I ever dare complain about having to go to the gym again for the rest of my life… I’m like the worst person.” (43:44, Amanda)
- Both Amanda and Avery discuss how fitness impacts their mental health and sets an example for their kids (45:00–45:45).
Proper: Amanda’s Supplement Brand (46:21–49:18)
- Amanda introduces her wellness brand, Proper—rainbow-themed, affordable, no-guilt supplement powders meant to empower women to listen to their bodies.
“We need a supplement brand that is no guilt… encouraging women to listen to your body. … If I ever complain about having to go to the gym, I remind myself: it is a privilege to be here.” (47:15, 43:44, Amanda)
- The powders are designed for real life (e.g., bloat support for travel), with packaging meant to be visually appealing and accessible.
Motherhood, Bonding, and Boy Mom Adventures (49:21–55:28)
- Amanda shares that her favorite part of motherhood is her deep, nurturing bond with Elvis, who is also her “best teacher”:
“What I have built with him is just pure love... it’s such an exciting part of being a mom because… what else can I give to this little human?” (49:27–50:29, Amanda)
- Both reflect on how parenting gives new appreciation for their own parents and highlights the unconditional love of children.
- Amanda describes Elvis as fun, sporty, intellectually curious, and full of personality—attributes shaped, in part, by his unique “manny,” a stand-up comic. (53:16)
- Avery and Amanda laugh about their kids’ love for quirky documentaries and the charming quirks of young boys.
Rapid Fire Q&A, Wellness, and Favorite Things (58:28–End)
- Skincare routines: Amanda swears by lasers (“cool peel CO2”), peptides, Korean skincare, prequel sunscreen, and classic vitamin C serums.
“I work very hard at it… I love a vitamin C serum. I’m obsessed with Korean skincare. It’s so affordable.” (58:28–60:27, Amanda)
- Early Bird/Night Owl: Amanda is an early bird:
“If I’m in bed at 9:30 I’m so happy.” (61:56, Amanda)
- TV comfort shows: “Love Story,” and the Scrubs reboot (63:04)
- Amanda and Elvis’s favorite shared treat: Ice cream parties, movie and pizza nights (64:09)
- Celebrity crush: “Scott Speedman—Ben from Felicity!” (65:13)
- Favorite season: Summer, sun, and everything warm and bright (66:56)
- Pump up song before a performance: “Dreams” by The Cranberries.
“It’s such a good… like, I can do this… windows down... everything’s right with the world.” (67:43)
- Episode ends with gratitude and a discussion on the importance of carving time for relationships and practicing balance.
Notable Quotes & Moments
On grief and survival
“You just keep powering forward. But Elvis did save me. … Your children will save you.”
– Amanda Kloots (15:00–16:18)
On resilience and doing “the next right thing”
“I look back at that time, and I’m honestly so proud of myself, because I don’t even know how I got through it, because it was so much.”
– Amanda Kloots (14:23)
On fitness and gratitude
“If I ever dare complain about having to go to the gym again… I’m like the worst person in the entire world.”
– Amanda Kloots (43:44)
On teaching her son by example
“We are so privileged to be able to work out. … The whole mental health of wellness for me was when Nick was in the ICU… He would give anything to lift his arm up right now. So I always start off every fitness class with: it’s a privilege to be here.”
– Amanda Kloots (43:44)
On the duality of performing through grief
“There were times where I’d be sobbing… and then I would have to like get it together and then get on air and talk about how the new hot color for spring is orange. … Not everybody can do that.”
– Amanda Kloots (27:48)
On motherhood
“What I have built with [Elvis] is just pure love… he’s my best teacher… The relationship I’ve built with him is so special.”
– Amanda Kloots (49:27–50:29)
On empowerment and wellness for women
“We need a supplement brand that is no guilt… encourages women… to listen to your body. …”
– Amanda Kloots (47:15)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy & pop culture style: 01:46–03:18
- How Amanda defines herself: 03:31–04:03
- Naming their kids: 04:08–05:13
- The ICU, healthcare workers, and the start of grief: 06:41–07:58
- Nick’s illness & the reality of early pandemic: 09:31–14:23
- Advice to widows/parents after loss: 15:00–16:18
- Amanda’s childhood and Broadway dreams: 16:53–23:00
- Becoming a Rockette: 20:33–22:28
- Transition to TV hosting/‘The Talk’/performing while grieving: 23:00–27:50
- Health & wellness journey: 37:18–42:22
- Starting Amanda Kloots Fitness: 40:45–42:22
- Perspective on working out after loss: 43:44
- Launching Proper, her supplement brand: 46:21–49:18
- Motherhood reflections/bond with Elvis: 49:27–53:34
- Rapid Fire Q&A: 58:28–68:43
- Skincare details: 58:28–60:29
- Amanda’s current favorites: 63:01–68:14
Episode Tone & Standout Moments
- Genuine and relatable: Amanda is open about deep grief, rebuilding life, and finding aspirations again.
- Supportive girl talk: The episode features honest conversation, laughter over motherhood quirks, and shared struggles.
- Empowering: Focus on privilege, mental health, and supporting other women.
- Inspirational: For anyone juggling parenting, career, recovery, or reinvention—Amanda’s journey gives hope and practical wisdom.
Connect with Amanda Kloots
- Instagram: @amandakloots (Amanda jokes, “I’m technically challenged, so just Instagram.” 69:56)
- Proper Health: Available at ProperHealth.com, Amazon, and Target
This episode is both moving and motivating—a must-listen for anyone seeking honest perspectives on strength, loss, single motherhood, wellness, and living life forward.