Miss Represented: Amanda Moore [Episode 56] – A Journey of Resilience and Empowerment

Released on July 9, 2025

Introduction to Amanda Moore

In Episode 56 of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie welcomes Amanda Moore, the newly crowned Mrs. England, to discuss her inspiring journey from personal trauma to becoming a beacon of empowerment for women. The episode, recorded amidst a glamorous photo shoot styled by Joey Roland and beautified by Lady Code Cosmetics, sets the stage for a heartfelt and candid conversation.

Amanda’s Pageant Journey and Empowerment

Amanda shares her initial apprehensions about entering the world of pageantry. Having no prior experience in modeling or pageants, she confesses, “I don’t know what I’m doing… how do I pose? Where do I put my arms? I was just gonna figure this out” (01:25). Despite her fears, Amanda’s transformation during the photo shoot revealed her hidden confidence and poise, surprising even herself.

Lisa praises Amanda’s newfound professionalism, remarking, “I don't believe you because you were a pro today” (01:49). Amanda attributes this growth to the support and expertise of the Code Creatives team, which allowed her to tap into a version of herself she hadn’t recognized before. “You transformed me. And that allowed me to, like, tap into this little version of Amanda that I didn’t know” (02:09).

Amanda’s Advocacy Against Abuse and Sex Trafficking

A significant portion of the episode delves into Amanda's passionate advocacy against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She recounts a pivotal moment in Miami that reignited her commitment to protecting women: “There was a girl on skates who got attacked… it gives me goosebumps every time I think about it is the exact same time in the exact same spot that I walked my dogs every night” (04:31). This incident, combined with her personal experiences, led her to partner with Love Inspiring Life, an organization dedicated to rescuing and empowering women trapped in abusive situations.

Amanda highlights the challenges of combating sex trafficking, noting, “America is one of the worst in the entire world for sex trafficking” (04:15). She emphasizes the importance of legislative support and financial resources to dismantle the deep-seated networks perpetuating this abuse. “That’s where it takes a lot of money and power and you have to know the people higher up, and that takes money” (07:55).

Personal Background and Experiences

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Amanda bravely shares her traumatic past. She opens up about enduring sexual abuse during her college years and the profound impact it had on her self-esteem and sense of worth. “I had a lot of shame and embarrassment… I think I need to share my story” (20:12). Amanda details her tumultuous relationships, including an abusive marriage that led to her eventual empowerment and independence.

Amanda’s relationship with her father is a poignant aspect of her story. She reveals, “I had a really bad relationship with both my biological dad and my stepdad… but my stepdad being so strict, like, I just came from a lot of hurt” (17:16). Despite a rocky start, her bond with her stepdad has transformed, offering her the support and understanding she needed to heal.

Approach to Pageantry and Sisterhood

Contrary to Amanda’s initial misconceptions, she discovered that Mrs. International fosters a genuine sisterhood based on shared values and mutual support. “It's the sisterhood, and it's based on substance and the impact that you're making in your values” (11:03). Amanda appreciates the community’s focus on family, faith, and business, which reinforces her mission to make a positive impact.

Lisa echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the empowerment and bonds formed through pageantry. “Everybody is intimidated… it's the most empowering experience that you can ever have in your life” (12:44). Amanda agrees, highlighting how pageantry has allowed her to form lifelong friendships and build a strong support network.

Empowering Women Through Events and Future Goals

Amanda is actively shifting her focus towards organizing events that empower women by connecting them with experts in various fields. “I'm putting together more events and bringing together experts in their own field to allow women to feel empowered” (21:31). Her initiatives include workshops on faith, trauma healing, beauty, and etiquette, designed to provide women with the resources they need to thrive.

Looking ahead, Amanda envisions expanding her influence through media presence, writing a book, and possibly launching her own podcast. “I see myself just being a much bigger person in the sense of being on stage, writing a book, having my own podcast on YouTube” (24:00). She dreams of hosting large conferences to gather thousands of women, furthering her mission of empowerment on a grand scale.

Fun "This or That" Segment

To lighten the mood, Amanda and Lisa engage in a playful "This or That" segment, revealing personal preferences that offer a glimpse into Amanda’s personality:

• Interview vs. On-Stage Question: “Interview because it allows me to expand more on that topic and really connect with the judges and the directors” (25:58).
• Early Mornings or Late Nights: Prefers neither, joking about her erratic sleep schedule influenced by her husband’s filming schedule (26:04).
• LA or Miami: Chooses Miami, despite the allure of LA’s different vibe (27:52).
• Curling Iron or Straightener: Curling iron (28:00).
• TikTok or Instagram: Instagram (28:04).
• Gown or Cocktail Dress Gown: Couture gown, desiring something dramatic and elegant for the stage (28:07).
• Road Trip or Flying: Prefers flying, though she fondly recalls train journeys in Europe (28:15).
• Summer or Winter: Summer (29:09).
• Reality TV or True Crime Documentary: Balances between the two based on her mood (29:14).
• Sparkles or Solids: Sparkles, embracing her pageant persona (29:38).

Connecting and Following Amanda’s Journey

Amanda encourages listeners to follow her journey towards winning Mrs. International on Instagram at @Amanda_Maer (29:46). She expresses gratitude for the support and excitement about the path ahead, emphasizing her commitment to empowering other women through her experiences and advocacy.

Conclusion

This episode of Miss Represented offers a profound look into Amanda Moore’s resilience and dedication to empowering women. From overcoming personal trauma to fostering a supportive sisterhood in pageantry, Amanda exemplifies strength and compassion. Her vision for the future—encompassing media endeavors and large-scale empowerment events—promises to inspire and uplift countless women. Lisa Opie’s empathetic hosting provides a welcoming space for Amanda’s story, making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and empowerment.

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda Moore (01:25): “I don’t have any experience modeling. I don’t have any experience in pageantry. I don’t know what I’m doing… I was just gonna figure this out.”
• Lisa Opie (01:49): “I don’t believe you because you were a pro today.”
• Amanda Moore (02:09): “You transformed me. And that allowed me to, like, tap into this little version of Amanda that I didn’t know.”
• Amanda Moore (04:15): “America is one of the worst in the entire world for sex trafficking.”
• Amanda Moore (07:55): “That’s where it takes a lot of money and power and you have to know the people higher up, and that takes money.”
• Amanda Moore (20:12): “I had a lot of shame and embarrassment… I think I need to share my story.”
• Amanda Moore (17:16): “I had a really bad relationship with both my biological dad and my stepdad… but my stepdad being so strict, like, I just came from a lot of hurt.”
• Amanda Moore (11:03): “It’s the sisterhood, and it’s based on substance and the impact that you’re making in your values.”
• Amanda Moore (21:31): “I’m putting together more events and bringing together experts in their own field to allow women to feel empowered.”
• Amanda Moore (24:00): “I see myself just being a much bigger person in the sense of being on stage, writing a book, having my own podcast on YouTube.”

Timestamps Reference:

1. Timestamp1 (01:25) - Amanda discusses her initial lack of experience in modeling and pageantry.
2. Timestamp2 (01:49) - Lisa praises Amanda's professional demeanor.
3. Timestamp3 (02:09) - Amanda talks about the transformation facilitated by the team.
4. Timestamp4 (04:31) - Amanda shares the incident in Miami that galvanized her advocacy.
5. Timestamp5 (04:15) - Amanda remarks on America's struggles with sex trafficking.
6. Timestamp6 (07:55) - Amanda elaborates on the challenges of combating sex trafficking.
7. Timestamp7 (20:12) - Amanda contemplates sharing her traumatic story.
8. Timestamp8 (17:16) - Amanda opens up about her difficult relationship with her father.
9. Timestamp9 (11:03) - Amanda explains the true essence of sisterhood in pageantry.
10. Timestamp10 (12:44) - Lisa emphasizes the empowering nature of pageantry.
11. Timestamp11 (21:31) - Amanda outlines her future plans to empower women through events.
12. Timestamp12 (24:00) - Amanda envisions her future career and personal life.
13. Timestamp13 (25:58) - Amanda chooses interview over on-stage questions.
14. Timestamp14 (26:04) - Amanda discusses her sleep schedule influenced by her husband.
15. Timestamp15 (27:52) - Amanda chooses Miami over LA.
16. Timestamp16 (28:00) - Amanda prefers using a curling iron.
17. Timestamp17 (28:04) - Amanda opts for Instagram over TikTok.
18. Timestamp18 (28:07) - Amanda selects a couture gown.
19. Timestamp19 (28:15) - Amanda expresses a preference for flying over road trips.
20. Timestamp20 (29:09) - Amanda chooses summer over winter.
21. Timestamp21 (29:14) - Amanda balances her interest between reality TV and true crime documentaries.
22. Timestamp22 (29:38) - Amanda prefers sparkles, embracing her pageant persona.
23. Timestamp23 (29:46) - Amanda shares her Instagram handle for followers to connect with her journey.

Follow Amanda Moore on Instagram: @Amanda_Maer

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Disclaimer: The personal stories and experiences shared in this podcast are meant to inspire and empower. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or trauma, please seek professional help or contact a trusted organization for support.