Amber Lynne Black -

Amber Lynne Black knew that something was not quite as it should be. She knew she was “different” and that this difference was leading her to have struggles. Her search for answers leads her to an unexpected discovery. “I was diagnosed with autism and PTSD at 37,” says Amber. “It came as a complete shock to me. It took about a year for me to really move into accepting the label of autism and what that really meant. It took some time to come to terms with the diagnosis,” Amber recalls. “However the point of reference it provided me was a positive as a lot of things began to make sense to me and it opened my eyes to a lot of things about my life.”

Amber dedicated herself to finding out all she could about the condition, not just in terms of how it affected her, but how it affected others. She learned to use her fitness pursuits not only to benefit herself but also in her goal to, “empower those who have autism.” She even founded a non-profit organization called AustisticFit Society. An overview of their goals includes; connecting autistic individuals and their families to available programs in their communities, educating individuals and groups as to the specific needs of autistic individuals including ways to help manage symptoms and providing information about the programs needed to do so, and helping to provide financial support to programs and program development to assist individuals and families affected by autism.

Amber’s story is a great example of how dedication to a fitness lifestyle can provide benefits well beyond visual appearance. For her, fitness is also critically important for mental and emotional health. This is something she has been able to teach and share, using her fitness experience for the benefit of others who also struggle with autism.

Fit Club: Where are you originally from?

Amber: I’m originally from and live in Houston Texas.

Fit Club: Were you active in sports as a child or really into school?

Amber: I was always involved in sports. I engaged in softball, gymnastics and swimming for a number of years. School always came as a challenge socially and academically on many levels. I was really bullied in school and out of school after class by school kids. So sports helped me have a positive way to be a kid with what I could relate to and do well at.

Fit Club: How did you first become involved with fitness?

Amber: My interest in fitness started with getting into going to the gym and lifting weights at about age 20. I began educating myself in personal training and nutrition, and I began surrounding myself with bodybuilders. As I continued to train and be around competitive pro athletes, I decided I wanted to set goals to compete for myself, and I did. From there I continued to educate myself in nutrition and sports medicine.

Fit Club: What are some of your fitness accomplishments that you’d like to mention?

Amber: I’ve been able to achieve over 35 fitness showcases in the bodybuilding and figure divisions over the past 20 years. I’ve been featured in fitness magazines, achieved the Nevada State Bodybuilding title championship and best power award, was awarded female athlete of the year, and recently honored at the IFBB Physique America La Classic event for my journey in fitness living with autism to inspire others.

Fit Club: What is your current workout program like and what types of things do you do?

Amber: My current workout schedule includes 30-45 minutes of cardio 5 days per week, and weight training each muscle group once per week.

Fit Club: Has your approach to exercise and fitness changed much from when you first started to now?

Amber: My approach has not really changed much from when I first started as it pertains to training. It’s a structured and disciplined way of being that I have been consistent with now for 25 years. I’m in tune with my body even more now after having gone through many hardships and serious injuries in my earlier years that caused pectoral loss and nerve damage to my left side. Recovering from them and staying focused on the importance of healing and rebuilding my structure is based on the consistent application of regular hard work, nutrition, and the sleep necessary for recovery. My weight training is slower and controlled with a volume approach for each muscle group emphasizing “time under tension”.

Fit Club: What’s the biggest difference between the Amber who’s getting ready for a show and the “normal” fitness Amber?

Amber: The big difference between the Amber who’s in show prep and normal off-prep routines is the caloric restriction and the amount of time spent in the gym. It changes the amount of necessary cardio time. I do less cardio on the normal, more moderate mode of fitness.

Every day I prioritize taking care of my health, mind, body. Implementing healthy choices all the way around including daily morning prayer, meditation, and alternative care approaches in conducive environments that allow my spirit to thrive and be healthy. I train and eat in accordance with the bio-individual foods that work for my physiology.

Fit Club: What fitness advice would you offer to people as they transition into their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and beyond?

Amber: It’s the perfect time to live your vision, be your spirit through leading a healthy life with fitness. Listen to your body and maintain a healthy way of lifting that doesn’t overtax the body. Moreover that it produces a progressively strong structure through transitioning as we age in life. Be diligent in putting in time doing stretching and maintaining balance. Engage in the activities that speak to your soul and spirit to keep your energy alive and body feeling energized. Know when to rest and meditate and allow the body to recover.

Stay dedicated to build muscle mass and a major focus on nutrition and diet to ensure that you’re consuming the proper amount of protein is critical to muscle development and maintaining health and a strong structure. Hydration is an important factor in staying healthy. Keeping water intake up improves health and provides many other benefits to support muscle recovery and macro and micronutrient absorption. Implementing Core exercises are important, at all ages… Take time to learn the best movements that work for your body. In a busy and demanding world, today making time to maintain a healthy exercise and nutrition program is key to living a longer, better quality of life.

Exercise should be energizing and stress relieving and increase endorphins in our bodies. Being mindful of not pushing the nervous system too hard, too fast, or for too long is an important key piece in what types of exercise and tearing you do along with the duration and frequency. Getting outdoors and connecting with nature is a healthy way to energize and stay grounded, freeing up stress and to explore more in life and feel good.

Fit Club: Thank You Amber!