In celebration of Mother’s Day, Farm Journal is teaming up with FarmHer to highlight farm moms who embody the grit and grace found in rural America.
In 2020, life changed for everyone, but for Amanda Nigg and her family, it felt like a sucker punch. As the world was shutting down, the Niggs lost their house and all their belongings in a fire. But thanks to some cinder blocks and an online fitness community, Amanda found a renewed purpose in the farm community and a new lease on living a physically and mentally healthy life.
Known as Farm Fit Momma, Amanda is the mastermind behind Farm Fit Training. She teaches farmers everywhere their farmyard is a gym — it just requires a little creativity and determination.
Grit has been instrumental throughout Amanda’s life. For example, after flunking out of college her freshman year, she filed a petition to be accepted back in and became a 4.0 student.
Amanda graduated with a degree in radiation therapy and moved to South Dakota. After two months, she realized that career path wasn’t the right fit, so she decided to take a step back. In the meantime, she started selling supplemental insurance to farmers, which ended up being her jam for the next 11 years.
And that’s where she met her husband, Louie, a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Sisseton, S.D. Together, they built their dream home and began raising two sons. It was all coming together, but in an instant, it all fell apart.
The day before the country went on lockdown for the global pandemic, Amanda’s life went up in flames … literally. Their home, belongings, everything was gone. Not to mention, selling insurance door to door was no longer possible because of the pandemic.
The Value of Community
Amanda’s mental health hit an all-time low. Her husband noticed she was struggling and knew something had to change. He encouraged Amanda to use fitness as her “me time.” She instantly felt a difference and began sharing her mental health transformation online, which created a safe community for others in an uncertain time.
Amanda kicked off her online fitness journey with free challenges hoping to inspire others. Next thing she knew, more than 800 people were participating in her daily challenges. She realized this could be a business opportunity.
Soon Amanda was a budding businesswoman. She learned how to run a business through a mentoring program and became certified as a fitness trainer. In two weeks, she had more than 25 clients, some of whom were international.
Why is Amanda’s fitness program so popular?
She’s a farm wife. She understands work isn’t 9 to 5 for farm families. She understands what farmers are going through and creates the perfect program to work alongside their career in agriculture — both mentally and physically.
Amanda offers one-on-one coaching online. She’s there for her clients each and every day, making sure they have the proper form and know how to use their surroundings as fitness tools.
While Amanda limits the number of clients she coaches one on one, she offers other fitness programs, one of which includes a big supporter.
Amanda had the idea to create a workout using her friend’s product called “the Warbell,” but she really wanted it to be painted John Deere green. To make that happened, she needed the company’s permission. She reached out, and two weeks later they replied and said they would like to sponsor the campaign.
Amanda’s success with her fitness programs highlights how much community matters. After a tragic turn of events, she discovered her passion – and saved her own mental health.
Happy Mother’s Day, Amanda — and all the farm moms who help keep their family, farm and community running.
Read Other Inspiring Stories About Farm Moms
A Greeting Card Fit for a Farmer
From Silicon Valley to the Ranch
