By Terra Avilla
For this week’s article I want to pay tribute to my friend who leaves me (quite literally) breathless.
Being that in Susanville, everyone knows your name (and probably your business), I had seen this beauty around town for years, but it wasn’t until she stepped into my life through Jiu-Jitsu that I truly discovered the treasure she is. And this gem is named Amanda Shepard.
Amanda showed up one day, bringing her sweet little son to the kids’ classes at Jiu-Jitsu and little did I know, she was about to become one of my favorite training partners.
After watching a couple of the kid’s classes, Amanda jumped right into the adult classes (which can be very intimidating for anyone, let alone a petite female).
I will never forget my first roll with her. There she was, this incredibly humble little ninja, who just has a natural knack for sport. Our first grappling experience left me both impressed and out of breath. However, for someone with such talent, Amanda is incredibly down-to-earth and relatable.
Amanda became pregnant and had to hit pause on her Jiu-Jitsu journey, but she did so with grace. After giving birth to the sweetest little girl, she was back on the mat before you could say “armbar.”
I can tell you firsthand, getting back into the swing of things post-baby is no walk in the park, but Amanda makes it look effortless.
Last week in class, I wish I had snapped a picture. There she was, on the mat, arm-barring fools like a pro, and in between breaks, she was cradling her baby (I even snagged a snuggle!). It was a sight to behold – Amanda is my inspiration.
Amanda doesn’t just juggle martial arts and motherhood; she’s also running her own business! She started Salon 705 as a cozy little salon, and it has blossomed into a vibrant hub on Main Street.
Her sweet personality shines through in everything she does, including her entertaining renovation videos on TikTok, which I’ve become totally addicted to… like the woman can do it all.
It’s easy to overlook the gems around us when we’re caught up in the daily grind, so thank you sweet friend for the reminder and for being one of the reasons I love where we live.
