← Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff
Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff
Amanda Kloots Lost the Life She Planned. Then Built One She Never Expected
00:51:23
Loading summary
Transcript274 lines
- [00:00]
Shopify Narrator
Starting a business is a big deal. When I started thinking about launching my business, the idea was exciting, but the logistics felt like the part that could slow everything down. That's what I love about Shopify. The tools you need to design, launch and take payments are already there from day one. With Shopify's templates and AI tools, you can get a professional looking storefront up quickly. No coding needed. That moment when the site actually looks real and credible is such a confidence boost. I also love Shopify. As a consumer, when I see that purple shop button, I know my purchase will be simple and easy. Shopify Checkout helps more customers actually complete their purchase and returning customers can check out in a single click. So instead of wondering whether the buying experience is clunky, you can focus on growing. And when you get stuck, Shopify's built in AI Assistant Sidekick can help you troubleshoot, build and keep moving. Start your free trial@shopify.com superwomen all you need is the idea Shopify handles the rest. Start your free trial@shopify.com Superwomen start your free trial@shopify.com SuperWomen this podcast is sponsored by Veracity.
- [01:11]
Rebecca Minkoff
Welcome to an all natural way to slim down, get energized and sharpen your focus. Veracity is revolutionizing health by tackling the root cause of so many issues. Metabolism. With Veracity's clinically proven and doctor formulated solutions, you can support your body's needs to live your healthiest life. If you've been struggling with your weight and nothing has worked, you need to hear about Metabolism Ignite from Veracity. It's the number one doctor recommended glp, one booster and the natural alternative people are switching to and it has sold out 10 times. Here's what makes it different. No side effects, no allergens, just a clean plant based formula that works with your body, delivering an 85% reduction in hunger and clinically proven results of an average nine pounds lost in 90 days. Metabolism ignite is clinically proven to boost your metabolic rate by 150%. No injections, no prescriptions, no gut issues, just real sustainable weight loss. So before metabolism ignite sells out Again, head to VeracityHealth Co and use code SUPERWOMEN for up to 65% off your order.
- [02:13]
Shopify Narrator
1.
- [02:13]
Rebecca Minkoff
Once again that's V R A C I T Y Health Co for up to 65% off and make sure you use my promo code Superwomen so they know I sent you.
- [02:23]
Amanda Kloots
I would be in the bathroom, at the hospital, in the icu, squeeze expressing into the Sink all of the milk. And then I would be going back and sitting next to my husband in a coma.
- [02:37]
Rebecca Minkoff
Welcome back to Superwomen. Today's guest is someone who used to train me in my home gym. We were trading products for training because I couldn't afford her. Amanda Cloots is a world renowned not only trainer, but entrepreneur, Founder of Proper. She has a TV show. She is a mother to the cutest little boy ever, and I'm happy to call her a friend.
- [02:57]
Amanda Kloots
Nothing I've done has been like an immediate worldwide success.
- [03:01]
Rebecca Minkoff
How do you do this? Because you're an entrepreneur, you have all these successful businesses and then you have motherhood.
- [03:08]
Amanda Kloots
It's crazy how much we take on as mothers and so sometimes you think I don't have enough support. You have to, like, find that grit again and you have to, like, humble yourself and take yourself down back to, like, the bolts and nuts of building a business and why and your story and finding that new community. You're constantly competing with people that are just as talented as you, just as beautiful as you, working harder than you. And so you just have to, like, learn to appreciate and love yourself and believe in yourself.
- [03:50]
Rebecca Minkoff
I'm Rebecca Minkoff and this is Superwomen. Each week, inspiring women are interviewed to uncover the unexpected journeys, the challenges, and the unwavering spirit that makes them powerful. Get ready to be motivated by stories of resilience and discover the keys to unlocking your own potential. Welcome to the podcast.
- [04:12]
Dasha
Thank you for having me. I love being here. I love seeing you.
- [04:16]
Rebecca Minkoff
I know. I felt like you abandoned me in New York and I never saw you again on Instagram.
- [04:21]
Dasha
I just have to tell you, like,
- [04:22]
Amanda Kloots
I. I forget how we got introduced or how we met.
- [04:26]
Rebecca Minkoff
Does Dasha sound familiar?
- [04:28]
Amanda Kloots
Oh, maybe. But I just remember being like, oh, my gosh, I was so excited to meet you and train you and you were so kind and loving and I could tell, just like such a wonderful mother. And I just loved it. Like, I did love secretly.
- [04:48]
Dasha
I feel like I can tell you that now without like, sounding like a
- [04:51]
Rebecca Minkoff
geek, but I was on the other side of it being like, I can't afford a trainer, but hopefully she likes my leather jackets.
- [04:58]
Dasha
I did, and I felt like a million bucks because I. I'm pretty sure your line was like the first designer
- [05:04]
Amanda Kloots
anything that I had, so.
- [05:05]
Rebecca Minkoff
Oh, my gosh.
- [05:06]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [05:06]
Rebecca Minkoff
And. And do you remember you told me you were pregnant before you told anybody else?
- [05:10]
Dasha
Yes.
- [05:10]
Amanda Kloots
And I feel like, weren't you a little bit witchy? And like, you, you were like, I Kind of had a feeling.
- [05:15]
Dasha
You. You were.
- [05:16]
Rebecca Minkoff
I feel like you did, like, a motion for me to follow, and I was like, that is someone that's pregnant. That's the. Oh, that's. You only do that when you're pregnant.
- [05:25]
Dasha
Oh, my gosh.
- [05:25]
Amanda Kloots
I love that you remembered that.
- [05:27]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah. Cause I was so touched. I was like, husband doesn't even know yet. How do I keep this a secret?
- [05:33]
Dasha
But I knew I could trust you because you. I. You were such a great mama, and
- [05:37]
Amanda Kloots
you would talk a lot about being a mom and.
- [05:40]
Dasha
And how hard that is and how hard being a entrepreneur and a business
- [05:45]
Amanda Kloots
owner and a mom and a wife
- [05:46]
Rebecca Minkoff
is, and so, yeah, I'm glad you appreciated it. I scared someone last night who's trying to get pregnant. I was like, this is what you have to do. You have to go to get muscle tested, bring the sperm with you. They'll make sure you're not allergic to the sperm. And she was like, who are you? And why are you telling me these weird things?
- [06:02]
Amanda Kloots
I mean, it is crazy how easy it can be for some people and then how hard it can be for others. And that gap is so huge, and it just doesn't seem fair.
- [06:16]
Rebecca Minkoff
No, it's not fair. And you don't. You can't. You can't. There's not one source. Oh, it was because they lived near an electrical grid. Right, Right. Like, it's just wild. So we're lucky to. To get the guys we got.
- [06:28]
Amanda Kloots
And, yes, it is so true. And anytime I'm, like, wishing I could have more children or, you know, thinking about trying to have another child, I just look at Elvis and I'm just like, I am so blessed to have this little boy, even if it's just one in my life. I have him, and he's healthy and he's happy. And it's like. It's such a miracle. Like, children are such a miracle.
- [06:53]
Rebecca Minkoff
It's true. When you think about, like, one egg and all those sperm and, like, everything that could go wrong, like, the DNA doesn't split.
- [07:00]
Amanda Kloots
Right.
- [07:00]
Rebecca Minkoff
Or whatever. It's just wild.
- [07:02]
Amanda Kloots
And you know what's crazy is. So I was 35. Nick and I were together. I'd already been married. I had gone through my first marriage, divorced. When I got divorced, I got my, you know, everything tested, of course. And that doctor was like, you have low everything, low egg count. All the numbers are low. You should have started trying years ago. You're going to have the hardest time getting pregnant. Of course, I went into, like, early depression about that. Ever happening to me because I come from a family of five and we are all so close. My siblings are my best friends and all I ever wanted was a family. And so you're so sad. And then I remember when Nick and I were like thinking about trying. I got tested again, same results of course. And I just thought I was going to have the hardest time getting pregnant. Our second try, naturally, with no help at all. I got pregnant and had Elvis at 38. And it just like again, goes to show you, you never know. But also like, don't believe what you're told by doctors. Also like, because you just never know. And for all intents and purposes, I look back at that now and I'm like, he is a miracle. He, he is a miracle. Second chance. I got pregnant, had him before I lost my husband. So I have my son. Like, it's just a miracle.
- [08:29]
Rebecca Minkoff
It is a miracle. And I think that if you also have a doctor that talks to you that way, like there's a way to phrase it, like we need to get you healthy and we need to like tune you up and whatever versus you're infertile and good luck.
- [08:42]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah, Two doctors told me, isn't that terrible?
- [08:44]
Rebecca Minkoff
They're the worst.
- [08:45]
Amanda Kloots
And it was before I was wise enough to know that there's better doctors out there. I just was green and first time trying. So I was just like, oh gosh, my life is over.
- [08:54]
Rebecca Minkoff
Well, speaking of lives, you've had many, many. So you were training me, you launched Amanda Cluths, you were teaching these incredibly fun classes. I feel like you were one of the first people in that field. Like before you, the dancing, fitness, then online teaching, that did not really exist.
- [09:16]
Amanda Kloots
Well, let's give a little credit to some people before me, okay.
- [09:20]
Rebecca Minkoff
Unlike CDs and VHS.
- [09:22]
Amanda Kloots
Well, I'll say yes, maybe. But also like, you know, Tracy Anderson is, you know, probably like, you know, after Jane Fonda. Yes, Tracy. Well, there's all the Denise Austin's and everything. But I feel like Tracy was sort of like definitely an entrepreneur in this space and led, led the way. And then Simone de La Rue is who I worked for at Body by Simone. And she kind of gave me like, you know, my first taste into fitness and teaching. And that's how I fell in love with fitness and teaching was by teaching at her studio and Lear her. And then I branched out and started Amanda Kloots Fitness. But it was, you know, it was just the height of boutique fitness in New York City those days, you know, like nobody went to EQUINOX or the big gyms. Like, everybody wanted the. The studio, the independent trainers and the soul cycles and the flywheels and the bar methods and, you know, like, it was so fun. And I don't. I'm really, like, I'm grateful for those times. And Studio B and like, that, that, like, 60 women in a class, like, it was so empowering. Talk about superwomen.
- [10:28]
Dasha
Like, you just.
- [10:29]
Amanda Kloots
We all felt like super women just working out together and, like, it was so fun. I remember you brought your team in. Remember? You did?
- [10:35]
Dasha
I did.
- [10:35]
Rebecca Minkoff
I brought my team in. And then I had a birthday party. I think I feel like I had my 35th birthday party at your place.
- [10:41]
Dasha
I mean, a blast.
- [10:43]
Rebecca Minkoff
It was a blast.
- [10:44]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [10:45]
Rebecca Minkoff
Did you feel when scaling that, like, I'm only me. How the fuck am I going to do this? Because I feel like people attach themselves to you.
- [10:54]
Amanda Kloots
Yes.
- [10:55]
Rebecca Minkoff
And it's kind of like some. Some companies have been able to scale that and some can't. And did that concern you and what were your thoughts around that?
- [11:03]
Amanda Kloots
You know, I don't know if I ever really learned how to do that, to be honest. I tried. I remember, like, especially when I got pregnant, I tried to, like, train other people. And I had a couple other trainers that would take over my classes. And I think if I hadn't moved, if Covid hadn't happened, that maybe that that would have scaled and it would have been an ability for me to, like, step back a little bit. But, you know, I think the problem with doing that with a fitness company is that people get addicted to a teacher. You know, it's like a therapist or a pastor at a church. Like, they get addicted to your energy and how you do or say something. And so it is, I think, hard to scale a fitness company when you start it as yourself. And a good friend of mine, when I started my company, I reached out to her and I was like, what should I do? And she's like, you can either do this two ways, Amanda. You can either be Amanda Kloots Fitness and you are the face of it, and you do all the classes, or you can start jump rope with me. And it, like, you know, is a studio there where you have a bunch of teachers and you are behind the desk and not in front of the class.
- [12:14]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yep.
- [12:14]
Amanda Kloots
And I was like, oh, yeah, that makes a lot of sense.
- [12:17]
Dasha
And then I did the exact opposite.
- [12:20]
Amanda Kloots
And I honestly think the only reason why it scaled is because of COVID and I had to take everything online. And that really helped me to finally Just step back, because I had to. And it was a blessing because now I teach all over the world, but I teach when I'm, you know, brought somewhere, and then I have my app online, and that's pretty much how people work out with me now.
- [12:45]
Rebecca Minkoff
So then what made you go, great? I've got this going now I'm gonna be a TV show host. Like, I'm so. Like, people make pivots all the time.
- [12:56]
Dasha
Yes.
- [12:56]
Rebecca Minkoff
And you were like, yes. And this.
- [12:58]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [13:00]
Amanda Kloots
Well, I think that 16 years of performing on Broadway, I was doing a lot of morning shows and television shows, and in a weird way, already in that. And then I don't even know if you remember this or know this, but I had a dessert business for a little while.
- [13:22]
Rebecca Minkoff
You did?
- [13:23]
Amanda Kloots
Yes. I was a dessert critic. And I know.
- [13:26]
Rebecca Minkoff
And so random.
- [13:27]
Amanda Kloots
I know. With my girlfriend, we were Blondie and Brownie, and we reviewed desserts all over the world, but especially in New York. And we filmed two pilots to host a dessert show for Food Network and for Cooking Channel. At the time, they didn't get picked up, but we filmed them. So hosting was already sort of in my bones. Then I started Amanda Kloots Fitness, and I was again on morning shows, promoting my fitness company and in front of the camera again, leading, you know, classes on television. So then when the Talk called, in a weird way, it was as if Broadway, a live show, where it's a performance and with other people, a cast. And I put on a costume, my outfit, and get my hair and makeup done. My wig and my makeup.
- [14:15]
Rebecca Minkoff
You had to wear a wig?
- [14:17]
Amanda Kloots
No, but, like, I'm comparing it to that experience, a Broadway show, a live Broadway show, to walking on set for a television show, hosting a television show with my cast in my costume in front of a live audience. So it was sort of a natural progression and felt so wonderful. And it kind of just felt like the next step instead of a pivot. And I heard this really cool quote recently that pivots aren't pivots, they're enhancements, because we take what we've learned from our past experiences and just enhance it in a different direction. And that's kind of how I feel like the talk came to be.
- [14:52]
Rebecca Minkoff
And with the Talk came amazing exposure. You and I launched our books on the same day. And then where does the Now I'm going to be an entrepreneur spark come into it?
- [15:04]
Dasha
Yes.
- [15:04]
Amanda Kloots
Well, the talk was so fun. I learned so much. And when you get to interview television stars and movie stars and then also writers, authors, musicians like you're just so constantly inspired. And I've always been a creator. I love creating, and I love creating products. With my fitness company. I created my jump rope, and I had, like, a little workout mat that I created. And I also had a CBD muscle relief cream. So I had already created products before, and I love it. But the problem with especially the CBD cream was it was so great. But my business partners were terrible. They screwed me over. And you know a little bit about this. They screwed me over. And we launched. I had just had Elvis, and they left me high and dry and screwed me over. And I, as a new mother with this newborn, after having a C section, I couldn't take on the responsibility and the business failed. And so I wanted to do another product. But I knew I needed help and support with, like, the business side of it because of my past experiences and knowing how important that is to have that infrastructure in place. And so I had been thinking about a wellness product, a supplement. I had thought years before of, like, a protein powder, you know, like, when those were all really popular. And I had my fitness business, and I had certainly influenced enough supplements and wellness products in my own years, you know, as we do. And I just thought, I want to create a supplement company that I use that is affordable, that is esthetically pleasing, and that tastes good.
- [16:49]
Rebecca Minkoff
And that seems like it's never. Those two things cannot be true.
- [16:54]
Amanda Kloots
I know they are now with proper. They are now. But I agree with you because, again, have influenced so many of them, and you start using them, and then a week later, you're, like, looking at it, wanting to throw up, because you're like, I can't. I can't drink it. Or it's like five pills in a day. And you're like, I just. I can't take five pills right now.
- [17:15]
Rebecca Minkoff
Well, I am an avid vitamin taker, and I reached a point a couple weeks ago where I was like, I can't do it anymore. I've been doing it for so long. And I look at them and it's like my daily chore. And I just. I've never done this. I just stopped them all.
- [17:31]
Dasha
They just were like, goodbye.
- [17:32]
Rebecca Minkoff
I can't.
- [17:33]
Amanda Kloots
Cold, tired.
- [17:34]
Rebecca Minkoff
And then my mom's like, that's not good. Your longevity is going to suffer. And I'm like, my sanity is suffering right now. So I'm excited that you're offering things that is not a pill that I have to take.
- [17:44]
Amanda Kloots
Well, I agree, because I think that then that becomes, like, guilt. You look at your pills that you've spent like two to three hundred dollars a bottle on, and you can't ingest them. I mean, and so then you feel guilty about spending that money on it and not taking it. But I agree with you. There's times where I'm just like, I can't swallow this. Like, right now. I just can't do it. However, what we. And what I always try to do is drink a lot of water in my day. I know how important that is, and I love water. Other than water and coffee and wine, I don't really drink much anything else. So I try to drink of water, but I like flavored water. And so that's again, where I was like, what can I put into my water? That's one scoop a day, less than a dollar a day, and that's good for me, and that's gonna be something that I want to drink instead of I can't look at. And so that's how proper was formed.
- [18:41]
Rebecca Minkoff
Well, thank God. I can't. I can't wait, because I do have a morning drink that has lots of things. And so I'm just gonna be adding it to that drink.
- [18:50]
Amanda Kloots
Add it.
- [18:50]
Rebecca Minkoff
I go to the gym with it. It's done by the time I'm gone. And I'm like, everything was in there. I need nothing else.
- [18:55]
Amanda Kloots
And you can also put it into a smoothie. It blends right into a smoothie. So we launched with five supplement powders. I think we have eight or nine now. And then we just launched hydration powders in lieu of spring and summer so that we can all stay hydrated, because that's also so important. But you know what, Rebecca? Like, I. So I grew up in Ohio, and I have, like I said, a big family. And I look at, like, women in Ohio all the time, especially when I go back home. And we're lucky to live, you know, in these fancy cities. New York, Louisiana, the coast. Like, you just. You have so much access to things, and you're inundated with so much health and wellness. But, you know, in the Midwest, where I'm from, it's like you go to your grocery store and you're just hoping and praying that you're getting the right thing for your body. And oftentimes you think a Coca Cola is a hydrating and healthy.
- [19:52]
Rebecca Minkoff
No. No one at this point should be allowed to think that.
- [19:54]
Amanda Kloots
I know, but you know that there are people that still think a Diet
- [19:58]
Dasha
Coke is a healthy option.
- [20:01]
Rebecca Minkoff
I mean, it's wild to me, but.
- [20:02]
Amanda Kloots
Okay, now, listen, there's Room.
- [20:04]
Rebecca Minkoff
And the earth is flat too.
- [20:06]
Dasha
There is room in time for Diet Cokes. I still have one once in a blue moon.
- [20:12]
Rebecca Minkoff
Coke Zero every once in a while. My husband calls it the fridge thing.
- [20:14]
Amanda Kloots
Oh, my God. That Coke Zero on a summer day sometimes really does hit spot. And I'm not gonna lie that I don't do that. But another reason why I created Proper is because I wanted to create a product for that woman in Ohio that just needs that one thing a day that she can afford, that tastes good, that actually does something good for her body, and that makes her feel good. And so that was my other, like, one of the reasons in Genesis for the product.
- [20:39]
Rebecca Minkoff
Everyone, sorry for the quick pause. I want to share something really exciting. Superwoman has a brand new YouTube channel. It's still under construction, but big things are coming in 2026. You'll find past episodes, new episodes, and some bonus content I cannot wait for you to see. Just search SuperWoman Media on YouTube and hit subscribe so you don't miss a thing. Okay, back to the pod. So one of the things I want to ask you, because you've had all these lives and all these different flavors of your career, and for those listening, you need to read her book. You should dive into other podcasts where you so vulnerably share your story and what you've been through, but what has been your ability from a strength perspective to not only go what you went through personally and then go, and I'm going to have 12 careers, you know, because that takes strength and be a really good mother, which you are. How. How do you find that strength and that perseverance?
- [21:36]
Amanda Kloots
Actually was just thinking about this a lot because I am. I do lots of different therapies. And so it challenges you to, like, really think about, like, who you are and what you're doing. I think the first, like, my strength comes from God and my faith. Like, for me, like, to be able to put my worries and my anxiety and stress about life in someone else's hands and give him that power to lead me in the direction he wants me to feels so strong. You know, it gives me that strength and it takes that weight off my shoulders. Because also, as a single mom trying to do it all, I. I don't have somebody that takes the weight off my shoulders. And that's hard. So, like, God, for me has been such a saving grace. The second is I look back at my life even as, like a little kid. I've always been a hustler. Like, I just enjoy the hustle yeah, it's just always been a part of me and even through my Broadway years, like Broadway teaches you, you so much hustle and perseverance and resilience. You really have to learn to like, just believe in yourself on Broadway because you're constantly competing with people that are just as talented as you are, just as beautiful as you, working harder than you. And so you just have to like, learn to appreciate and love yourself and believe in yourself. So I think it's just like those three things are just like my ability to keep going. It hasn't been easy being a single mom. However, I do enjoy and love the challenge as a business owner and as a hustler and as an entrepreneur and knowing that like, I have to take care of me and my son, I do love a challenge. And so like, if there's a bright
- [23:24]
Dasha
side or silver lining, like, it does give that extra like kick in your butt because nobody else is gonna do it for you, you know, like, you have to.
- [23:33]
Amanda Kloots
So it's like a bit of the, you know, both there.
- [23:35]
Rebecca Minkoff
When I look at like my mother in law, raised two kids, single mom. When my husband goes out of town for 10 days, I'm like, this is so much like, we share our duties very equally. So when he's gone, he's, it's, there's a big hole.
- [23:48]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah.
- [23:49]
Rebecca Minkoff
So I, then I go, oh my gosh, I gotta shut my mouth. Because single moms are like long term single moms, not like 10 days at a time single moms. And we're working and the ones that have a partner are still complaining about how it's too much. So I would love to hear like your, who's your village? Like, how do you do this? Because you're an entrepreneur, you have all these successful businesses and then you have motherhood.
- [24:13]
Amanda Kloots
I do have a huge village. And I'll tell you, like, when Nick wanted to move us to California, I was like, why are we doing this? We have a three month old baby and we really don't have any, any friends in California. Like, we have no support and, and then we move here and all of a sudden, like, you know, you meet people and then relationships foster and then all of a sudden you have this village around you, supporting you. And it was so beautiful. I say that only because a lot of times people, especially women, because it is us having to usually carry the baby and take care of the baby
- [24:51]
Rebecca Minkoff
and then never carry the baby.
- [24:54]
Dasha
Well, I mean like a surrogate, you
- [24:55]
Amanda Kloots
know, sometimes you're not carrying the baby, but a Lot of times it's the, you know, woman's responsibility. Like, I look back and, you know, you're not clearly thinking about this as a new mom, but, like, when you first have, like, you're keeping that baby alive. Like, I breastfed Elvis till he was two. I'm his food source. Like, it's crazy how much we take on as mothers.
- [25:16]
Dasha
And.
- [25:17]
Amanda Kloots
And so sometimes you think I don't have enough support here or in my life to have a baby. And I'm just telling this story because I think it's important that, like, make the choice, have the baby. You'll find the support. The village will come. You know, the community will come. I hired a manny as soon as I lost Nick, and I was just like, I need a man's energy around my son, and I need a man's energy around this house. And so that was like, a saving grace I had where I was teaching fitness. I became best friends with the woman that was running the Studio B here in la and her. And now her husband are. I call them family. I have a friend that was in New York that ended up moving to California for a job, and so now she's a part of the Village. I have a brother in San Francisco that, thank God, when I ring and need help, he runs and comes down. I mean, the Village is. Is so big. I. Elvis's seventh birthday is coming up
- [26:16]
Dasha
June 10th, and I usually have two
- [26:20]
Amanda Kloots
birthday parties for him. His little friend's birthday party and then
- [26:24]
Dasha
his adult friend's birthday party, because he has so many adult friends from the
- [26:29]
Amanda Kloots
Village that we've created.
- [26:30]
Rebecca Minkoff
I mean, it's so beautiful. And I watched, obviously, a lot of this I'm watching online because I'm not here enough, but, like, to see your brother, like, come and, like, this just crew that was just rally, you know, and that still rallies is like. It's so beautiful to see that it continued. It wasn't like, a finite amount of time. And then I'm sure makes a huge difference in Elvis's perspective of what you've been through and what he's been through.
- [26:55]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [26:55]
Amanda Kloots
You know, I think a lot of times people will be like, you know, how is Elvis dealing with everything? And it's not that he doesn't know anything that happened or that's going on. He does. I've always been maybe too honest with him about our life and what happened to his father, but I've also made Nick's presence so around us all the time, because Nick is around us all the time. But I Think it's because of the people that have surrounded his life. They've made him the coolest kid because he has all these influences that are so. From all different worlds and that have helped me raise him. And so he's just a really cool, confident, fun, funny little kid. And I'm so grateful to them because I couldn't have done that on my own.
- [27:45]
Dasha
I mean, like, I. I feel like
- [27:46]
Amanda Kloots
I'm a great mom.
- [27:47]
Dasha
But, like, his personality and who he is, is. Is not just because of me. It's because of all of these people
- [27:55]
Amanda Kloots
that have just embraced us and helped me with him. I mean, it's such a blessing.
- [28:10]
Rebecca Minkoff
Different, but similar. When we had Luca, he was the first of our friend group. He was surrounded by adults, and we brought him everywhere because I was like, I'm not leaving him at home ever. And he was really shaped by all of our friends who didn't have kids. And in a way, he inspired them to all have kids later. I didn't know it was unique until my friend had. My friends had kids, and then their focus went to their own children. And I was like, oh, I thought you just liked my child. Okay. I guess you gotta pay attention to your own kids now.
- [28:38]
Dasha
A couple of my friends have said that to me, though, about Elvis.
- [28:41]
Amanda Kloots
Like, they had kids because of helping me raise Elvis. And I think it was. It's pretty cool. Like, it just maybe took that fear away from them or that leap to actually become a parent because I needed
- [28:55]
Dasha
them to help me parent, so they became a parent.
- [28:58]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah.
- [28:58]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah.
- [28:59]
Dasha
But I think it's cool too, though, because they still treat him like a
- [29:03]
Amanda Kloots
son, and that's really special. If I did have another kid one
- [29:06]
Dasha
day, I feel like Elvis would be so jealous of that child.
- [29:09]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah. And that child would be like, wow, I nearly didn't get enough attention as Elvis did.
- [29:14]
Dasha
Yeah. Oh, yeah, yeah. No, it would be a completely different.
- [29:17]
Amanda Kloots
It'd be interesting because it would. I would be raising that child in such a different way, which would also be beautiful. It always is. But it would just be so different.
- [29:26]
Rebecca Minkoff
So speaking of children, having them, when you had him and your first business failed.
- [29:32]
Amanda Kloots
Yes.
- [29:33]
Rebecca Minkoff
At that time, you're like, did you have inside a knowingness that you wanted eventually to do something again, or were you like, you know what? I'm really good. And then when you had the idea for proper. Did any of that sort of go, ooh, it didn't work before? Yeah, maybe I shouldn't. You know? Like, I think a lot of people are trepidatious about past failures and like, can they actually do this?
- [29:54]
Amanda Kloots
When that business with the CBD cream failed, I was so sad. I was not easy because we put so much energy into it and had created like a really great product. Like, that really worked. It was really early for CBD anything though.
- [30:10]
Rebecca Minkoff
Oh, my God. It was like a really early, like
- [30:13]
Amanda Kloots
people thought it was gonna make them high.
- [30:16]
Rebecca Minkoff
Right.
- [30:16]
Amanda Kloots
To rub this cream on, which CBD does not have THC in it.
- [30:21]
Dasha
Some do, but like ours didn't.
- [30:23]
Amanda Kloots
And it just, like the messaging was not available yet and people just thought it was still marijuana cream.
- [30:30]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [30:32]
Amanda Kloots
So it was a little early. But also, yes, I did feel so let down at the same time though, Rebecca, like, I had just had Elvis. I was recovering from my C section. I remember, you know, not even being able to sit up or go to the bathroom without Nick helping me. And I was learning how to breastfeed. Elvis had like five different tongue ties, cheek ties, lip ties. I had mastitis three times. I had clogged ducts over and over and over again. I was in the emergency room with mastitis.
- [31:03]
Rebecca Minkoff
The fact that you breastfed him for two years with all that is pretty. Like most women would give up.
- [31:07]
Amanda Kloots
Almost did. Yeah. Yeah, I almost did. It was a three month mark. I was in the emergency room in Canada with Nick and it was 3am crying because my boob hurt so bad. Swollen red. The pain is horrible.
- [31:23]
Rebecca Minkoff
I know, it's the worst.
- [31:24]
Dasha
So bad.
- [31:25]
Rebecca Minkoff
It's the worst.
- [31:26]
Amanda Kloots
And I looked at Nick and I was like, I. I don't think, like, I can do this anymore. And he was like, honey, you have tried. Like, it's okay.
- [31:35]
Rebecca Minkoff
Like for both of us, please.
- [31:36]
Amanda Kloots
He's like, if you need to throw
- [31:38]
Dasha
in the towel, it's 4am it's okay.
- [31:41]
Rebecca Minkoff
Right?
- [31:41]
Amanda Kloots
And what happened is I stopped pumping and I literally was just feeding Elvis when he naturally needed to feed and everything leveled out and then I was completely fine. But then you look back and you're like, new mom, you're just trying to learn. Everyone says you have to pump. Everyone says this is the pump to buy and how many times you're supposed to pump in a day and that you should pump so that you have storage in your freezer. And so you're doing all these things that you think you have to do or you should do or else you're not doing it right. And the lesson I learned was, oh, with my system and my boobs, I can't pump. Pumping. Cause my boobs to over produce. And then I get Clogged ducts. And then I get mastitis. I just have to rely on just breastfeeding naturally. When Elvis needs to breastfeed, like, it's the cave days.
- [32:32]
Dasha
It's like, okay, well then that was the.
- [32:34]
Amanda Kloots
And then it was fine, and then it regulated. And I love breastfeeding so much that I breastfed Elvis for two years through
- [32:41]
Dasha
losing my husband, and it was one
- [32:44]
Amanda Kloots
of the best things that I ever did. It was just such a great way for us to connect and bond, especially when I was going through a really hard time. So, yeah, you know, it's just like the journey of it all.
- [32:55]
Rebecca Minkoff
The reason why so many people feel they have to pump is because they have to go to work or do their job. Like, how did you do that? Obviously, when they get older and they're eating food and not relying on it and it's comfort, that's one thing. But in the beginning, did you just not work or you worked in between feedings or you were able to work from home? Like, how did you structure that?
- [33:12]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah. So at the time, my only job was my fitness company. Once I recovered from my C section, I started getting back into life very gently, I think, like teaching maybe one or two privates a day. And then I got into like one private and one class. And Nick wasn't working. So it was very easy for us to.
- [33:35]
Rebecca Minkoff
Either he's in the car waiting.
- [33:37]
Dasha
Yeah, exactly, yeah. Or he would.
- [33:39]
Amanda Kloots
Would bring Elvis to me if I had to like go from a private to a class and too much time had gone by. So he would bring Elvis to me and I would breastfeed right before my class. I mean, we were working as like, you know, a team. That's kind of how we did it. And then once we moved here, Elvis was three months when we moved to la and I was just teaching one class or two classes down the street. So it worked out where I would breastfeed him right before I left. And then I would leave and go teach and then come home and breastfeed him right away again. So it just kind of ended up working out.
- [34:13]
Rebecca Minkoff
Oh my gosh. I remember at the Mark where they started getting interested in other people, like six months. So I would have my first. We lived in the city and it was like a 13 block walk. So my nanny would walk him to me for lunch and like noon was feeding time. Right. And I. And I. And because I'm crazy, like, I was like, I only have lunch from new to one, even though this is my own company. And I would be like, Starve him out a little bit so he's hungry when he gets here. And then once they're, like, looking out and a route, you're like, come on, buddy. Come on. I'm full.
- [34:45]
Amanda Kloots
I only have an hour.
- [34:46]
Rebecca Minkoff
Like, get on my tit. Like, I can't imagine. Like, and. And then he wouldn't. Sometimes I'd be like, cool, I guess,
- [34:53]
Amanda Kloots
pull out the bottle.
- [34:54]
Rebecca Minkoff
But, like, I'm so impressed that in between classes, like, you could time it like that, because I lost the timing. And then I was like, well, if he's not going to breastfeed, he's not coming up.
- [35:03]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah. I mean, I think we were just lucky with, like, our schedule at the time. You know what I mean? Just, like, where that landed. But then I will tell you that, like, once Nick was in the hospital and I was visiting him at the hospital, that was very hard. And there were a lot of times, but thank God Elvis already was eating food because he was 10 months old. So I had a little bit more leeway. But there were times where I couldn't leave the hospital. And I would be in the bathroom at the hospital, in the icu, squeeze expressing into the sink, all of the milk, and then I would be going back and sitting next to my husband in a coma. I mean, like, what we do is wild, super women.
- [35:48]
Dasha
Like, and that's just, like, going back crying. Crying.
- [35:54]
Rebecca Minkoff
Oh, my God.
- [35:54]
Dasha
I mean, like, what?
- [35:56]
Rebecca Minkoff
But it's incredible. And it's like a testament to your grit is so strong.
- [36:03]
Dasha
Thanks. You know, I mean, that's survival mode. You're in fight or flight. I mean, that is true survival mode right there.
- [36:09]
Rebecca Minkoff
That is definitely survival mode. Yeah, I thought it was survival mode when I forced my husband to help get the milk out at a club in Paris. But this is. You take the cake.
- [36:19]
Dasha
But I will say that enough time had passed and enough trauma had happened that when proper came along, I.
- [36:28]
Amanda Kloots
And I had such a great partner in it.
- [36:30]
Rebecca Minkoff
And how did you identify this partner? How did you secure yourself?
- [36:34]
Amanda Kloots
Yes. So a good friend of mine here who owns an ad agency was like, I want you to meet my friend, because I think the two of you would really hit it off. I met Ben Bennett. He was also from Ohio, raised by single mom. So we just, like, bonded and we were like, we want to create a product for. We call her Linda in Ohio.
- [36:55]
Rebecca Minkoff
Oh, my God. I always say Becky in Ohio.
- [36:57]
Dasha
Oh, really? Yeah, we always say Linda in Ohio. Like, we're just. We want to create this for Linda in Ohio. And so I.
- [37:06]
Amanda Kloots
We Just instantly bonded. And he has such an amazing track record with creating concepts and, and helping creators and, and really like championing them and their ideas. And so I just knew I was in good hands and I probably, to a fault, am just a trustworthy person. I really will trust you until you tell me not to or show me not to. And so I, I was just kind of like, let's do it, let's go.
- [37:33]
Dasha
Because I just, I love creating again. So it was just an opportunity.
- [37:37]
Amanda Kloots
And I rarely say no to opportunities because I always feel like even if they don't go well, like my CBD cream, you learn so much. So you, you learn both ways.
- [37:46]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah. And I mean, look at all the opportunities that have propelled your next ones. Like saying yes to a TV show, viewing it as Broadway, to the book, to, you know, this, to Trainer Games. Like, all these opportunities, you just have no idea.
- [37:59]
Shopify Narrator
It's.
- [37:59]
Amanda Kloots
Speaking of Trainer Games, I was going through my divorce. That's how I launched my fitness business, by like saying I needed to take control of my life, I want to like, create something my own. Created my fitness business, fell in love with teaching fitness, then started hosting. Loved hosting. Then Trainer Games comes along, Combines fitness and hosting in a fitness reality television show on Amazon. And I was just like, are you kidding me? Like, my two favorite things right now, these two passions, and now I get to combine them and do this amazing television show. And it was just like such a gift. It was like such a blessing.
- [38:38]
Rebecca Minkoff
You have the gift of the visibility and the platform, whereas you didn't with the first. Yeah, you know, company.
- [38:44]
Amanda Kloots
Yes.
- [38:45]
Rebecca Minkoff
Now you have, you know, the ability to showcase it, not like have it, have the entrance that some people have to. Don't have because they don't have the awareness or platform that you have. Take me through what's been surprising that you were like, oh, right, still a product. Still have to launch it, still have to talk about it, still have to do, sell through, like all those things.
- [39:05]
Amanda Kloots
I think I've learned this with all my businesses going even back to my fitness business. Because when I left Body by Simone, I was teaching to like sold out classes and I was, you know, top dog there, you know. And so I left and started my own fitness company. And I thought, well, this is just going to be amazing right away. Right? Like, everyone's going to just come right over and hang out with me over here. And I learned very quickly, no, they're not. They love where they used to be. They're still fine. They miss you, but they don't Care,
- [39:40]
Dasha
you know what I mean?
- [39:42]
Amanda Kloots
And so then, then you have to like find that grid again and you have to like humble yourself and take yourself down back to like the bolts and nuts of building a business and why and your story and finding that new community. Same with proper. I love supplements and I love staying healthy and I love helping people feel better about themselves in their day. And yes, I do have a very bigger platform than I did when I launched my fitness company. But still, you know, you launch it. We had a huge launch day. It happened to be the same day as the LA fires. To be honest, it was a such a great day. But then by the end of the day we were like, what's happening in Los Angeles? And I quickly was like, well, bye bye proper for now a while. Because no, you can't and you shouldn't when your city's burning down be like,
- [40:37]
Dasha
hey guys, I have this great new product.
- [40:39]
Rebecca Minkoff
I know you lost your house, but you're going to be healthy while you're homeless.
- [40:43]
Dasha
Please try my powder. And so, you know, you just again, down to zero.
- [40:51]
Amanda Kloots
Humble you. You can't even begin to even sprinkle in anything. Like, please buy my product for a while. And any influencer or celebrity that you sent it to can't promote it either and shouldn't, right? And so it was just like this,
- [41:13]
Dasha
okay, we're launching at this big platform, visibility, la la la la la. And down to zero.
- [41:21]
Amanda Kloots
So I have had to learn again to build slowly my product again. And you know what though, listen, it's kind of been the story of my life. Nothing I've done has been like an immediate worldwide success. It just, it just hasn't been my way. I'm a slow burn and I've learned to embrace that about myself and love that about myself. And I don't mind being the tortoise in the race because it doesn't matter. It only matters in the end. And I love building slowly and having people find it naturally and organically and. And I don't mind being in their face, especially when I believe about something that I'm doing. I believe in my products. I use them every single day. They make me feel better. I love that a canister is $28 and it lasts you a month. It's less than a dollar a day. And I love that when I take my hydration powder, I feel better in my workout. And I can say that because I work out every single day. I know what a workout is good and when it's not. So I believe in My products. I don't mind being the pushy salesperson because I believe in it, and it's a slow burn, and that's okay. And I think this day and age, we're so used to immediate success.
- [42:37]
Rebecca Minkoff
I was just about to say that Instagram vacation.
- [42:39]
Amanda Kloots
And we want it. And I get it. Of course we want it. Of course we want that validation right away. And I think a lot of people get too hung up on it and give up easily on their business or their product because they don't get it right away. And so they're like, oh, well, that was a failure. Maybe it was.
- [42:56]
Rebecca Minkoff
Maybe.
- [42:57]
Amanda Kloots
But maybe you just need to give it time and you need to keep believing in what you said you believed in totally.
- [43:03]
Rebecca Minkoff
And I think you need to give it so much more time than you ever thought. Like, I tell these young Gen Z's, if I'm talking to them, I'm like, adjust your time horizon. You want lasting success, give yourself 10 years. You know, it's not three. It's not a hundred thousand followers. If you want to exist and be trusted and whatever, just like you've had, you know, you're training for probably more than 10 years. Right.
- [43:28]
Amanda Kloots
When I just celebrated 10 years.
- [43:30]
Rebecca Minkoff
Right. So that's a trusted place. It's like, wow, she's been around for 10 years. We know it's good and it works. Otherwise, people would have given up by now. Right?
- [43:38]
Amanda Kloots
You're in good hands. Yeah. Yeah. How long have you had?
- [43:41]
Rebecca Minkoff
21.
- [43:41]
Dasha
Wow.
- [43:42]
Rebecca Minkoff
I know. That's amazing. And people are like, you're working really hard.
- [43:46]
Amanda Kloots
And it started with. I know, right?
- [43:48]
Rebecca Minkoff
T shirt.
- [43:49]
Dasha
Yeah.
- [43:49]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah.
- [43:50]
Amanda Kloots
I mean, it's amazing.
- [43:51]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah, it's. It's cool.
- [43:52]
Amanda Kloots
You're such a legend.
- [43:53]
Rebecca Minkoff
When people Are you working so hard, I'm like, well, I like it. Yeah, I like. I like. I'm having fun. If I wasn't having fun, I wouldn't work so hard.
- [43:59]
Amanda Kloots
I love following you and the products and the designs and everything that you do, because I love how much you're in the face of your brand.
- [44:06]
Rebecca Minkoff
Like a curse.
- [44:08]
Amanda Kloots
It probably is. And it's for you. Right. But, like, I love when you're wearing your things in your ad. Not a lot of designers do that. And you. I love seeing you walking the streets of Brooklyn in your heels with your bags and your jackets. Like, it's. Oh, well, yeah, I should wear that then. I should dress as sexy as Rebecca's dressing like she's a mom, too.
- [44:30]
Dasha
She's doing it. I can wear that short skirt.
- [44:32]
Rebecca Minkoff
Damn.
- [44:33]
Dasha
Her legs are good.
- [44:33]
Amanda Kloots
Your legs are so good.
- [44:34]
Dasha
I've always told you that you have good luck.
- [44:36]
Rebecca Minkoff
I'm coming from you as like someone who sculpts people's legs. And you have, you have the Rockette legs.
- [44:42]
Amanda Kloots
Well, you could have been too. You have great legs and I have
- [44:45]
Rebecca Minkoff
no ability to keep time with anybody, so I would have been quickly letting you let loose from the rocket.
- [44:51]
Amanda Kloots
I love seeing you in the face of your brand, that's all. Yeah.
- [44:55]
Rebecca Minkoff
Thank you. Yeah. I think when like, just like you, you're the face of your brands with, with a s. Many S's. I just think that nowadays people want to trust the person. They don't want just a spaceless entity that's selling at them. And I think that it's a blessing and a curse because it's you, you, yourself and you.
- [45:12]
Amanda Kloots
Yep.
- [45:13]
Rebecca Minkoff
And I'm like, am I going to be doing this? I said to my Hannah, who works with me on social media, I was like, when I'm like 60, do you think we're going to be doing like street style photos? And she's like, oh, there's a whole generation on Instagram of like 60 year old women that are cool. And I was like, good to know. Don't want to see them yet.
- [45:28]
Amanda Kloots
But no, I foresee that.
- [45:30]
Rebecca Minkoff
And I'll be doing your workout.
- [45:32]
Amanda Kloots
I love it. I, I totally foresee you doing that because I think the way you embody your brand, it just, that makes sense. Like it just flows. That's a no brainer in my opinion.
- [45:43]
Rebecca Minkoff
Wow.
- [45:43]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah.
- [45:44]
Rebecca Minkoff
I was gonna say knock on wood, knock on, knock on soft boucle or whatever. Yes. So one thing before I let you go, and I think it's a thing about perspective, so it's hard for the person going through it who's listening. But, you know, I recently had someone on my team say to me like, you don't seem upset about blah that's happening in your company. And I'm like, so much worse has happened that this is like nothing and it was a specific situation and you have been through so much and then you carried people with you on that journey, millions and millions of people. And you chose to celebrate life and surround your boy with love and launch companies and be on TV and write a book. It's pretty exceptional. So what would you say to the people where the one thing brings them down and they don't know if they can get back up, but it only takes many of many things all at once that they can be like, oh, I should have gotten Back up from that one thing.
- [46:45]
Amanda Kloots
Okay, I'm going to tell you a little story, but it's short. I was doing a therapy session back in October, and in the therapy session, he was like, you know, hard. You've seen hard. You've lived through hard. You've survived hard. He goes, this is not hard. Do you want hard again? I go, no, no, no, no, no. He goes, good, because you've survived that. You know what that is now think of everything in that order. He goes, so is this hard? And I go, no. And he goes, is it a chance to learn? Is it. Could it be a blessing? Could it be something that you get through? Could it be just tough? And I said, yes. And so I will tell you now, Rebecca, I rarely ever say something's hard anymore. I have removed the word from my life, and it has completely reframed. Going through tough situations.
- [47:56]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah.
- [47:57]
Amanda Kloots
Because I know hard. I don't ever need to see hard again.
- [48:01]
Rebecca Minkoff
No, you don't.
- [48:02]
Amanda Kloots
I'm a survivor of hard. And now everything is just. I just have to get through that. I just. Just get through that. Put it in order of importance.
- [48:12]
Rebecca Minkoff
I like how we reframe that. I feel like it's like with childbirth, when they're like, it's not a contraction, it's a wave. Even though in the moment you're like you. It hurts. But I do remember on this last birth, I was like, it's a wave, and it's gonna go in and it's gonna go out. It's like, I'm dying. But it did for a lot of the really hard parts of it. Reframe, like, how you can think of it. Yeah.
- [48:36]
Amanda Kloots
But I like that it's a wave,
- [48:38]
Rebecca Minkoff
and some waves knock you over, but, like, it's still very different perspective. So I'm happy that he shared that with you and that you're sharing that with us.
- [48:45]
Amanda Kloots
I'll tell you, reframing something is magical. Like, when you can reframe a situation, it's really like. Like, I try to do it as often as possible because it really does change the game.
- [49:00]
Rebecca Minkoff
The term I use, I'm not sure where I learned this is, like orders of magnitude. So on the orders of magnitude of how big something is, does this compare to that? You know, does this compare to almost losing your company? Does this compare to, like, you know, the bank telling you they're going to take your company from you? Oh, no. It's like a spelling error on a website. Like, we're good.
- [49:20]
Dasha
Yeah. I can remain calm.
- [49:22]
Amanda Kloots
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [49:23]
Rebecca Minkoff
So where can people find proper buy proper download the app, all the places that they're gonna fill their lives with you.
- [49:32]
Shopify Narrator
Yes.
- [49:32]
Amanda Kloots
So proper is at Proper Health on Instagram. Proper Health Official. You can find it on Amazon and properhealth.com and it'll be coming somewhere soon. I just can't announce it yet. But that's exciting.
- [49:46]
Rebecca Minkoff
A big box retailer of sorts.
- [49:48]
Amanda Kloots
Yes, yes. Fingers crossed. And then all my fitness stuff is on amandacloots.com and then I'm pretty much on Instagram. That's like where you can find me. I'm just that Instagram girl.
- [50:01]
Dasha
I haven't really learned TikTok or any of the other chats and things. You know, I just like, I can manage.
- [50:08]
Rebecca Minkoff
I mean, you're doing a lot, right?
- [50:09]
Dasha
I can only manage one. But yes, you can find me on those other places. It's just say I'm very rarely present there.
- [50:16]
Amanda Kloots
Right.
- [50:16]
Rebecca Minkoff
They'll be special appearances.
- [50:18]
Dasha
Yeah. Instagram. Amanda Kloots. I'm. I'm very loyal to my Instagram community.
- [50:23]
Rebecca Minkoff
What else? Is there anything I didn't ask you that you want to talk about? Oh, wait. Training Games is on Amazon, right?
- [50:27]
Amanda Kloots
Trainer Games is on Amazon. Please watch it. I think it's seven episodes. They're all out. And it's a family friendly show which are rare to come by these days. You can literally sit down with your kids and watch it. It's inspiring. It's full of love and support and kindness, which again, is rare to see on television. Yes, it is. So I encourage you.
- [50:54]
Rebecca Minkoff
Yeah.
- [50:54]
Amanda Kloots
And anybody to watch it. It's. It's a really fun show.
- [50:57]
Rebecca Minkoff
Awesome.
- [50:57]
Shopify Narrator
Yeah.
- [50:58]
Rebecca Minkoff
Thanks so much for watching today's episode. Before you head out, I want to invite you to my brand new YouTube channel for all things superwomen. It's a fresh space I'm building out for 2026, packed with past episodes, future episodes and some special new content we're cooking up. Just search SuperWoman Media on YouTube and subscribe so you're there for everything coming next. I'll see you over there. Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you've enjoyed it, take a second to rate and review the show. Wherever you're tuning in, it really helps others find the podcast. You can follow me on Instagram, Rebecca Minkoff and msuperwoman or for a slice into my personal life, Ecky Minkoff. And don't forget to check out my book, Fearless the New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage and Success. See you next week.