Amanda Essen: A Journey of Transformation, Strength, and Resilience

My name is Amanda Essen, and I’m a 29-year-old fitness expert, coach, and entrepreneur based in Finland. My story is not one of easy triumph, but of hard-fought battles, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to transforming both my body and mind. I believe that strength isn’t just something you build in the gym—it’s forged in the depths of adversity, in every moment you choose to rise after a fall.

The Early Struggles: A Battle for Survival

My journey began in the darkest of places. From a young age, I was trapped in a cycle of self-doubt, low self-worth, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. By the time I was 13, I was facing the severe realities of anorexia. It wasn’t just a physical battle—it was a mental and emotional war. The whispers of insecurity, the constant desire to disappear, and the overwhelming pressure to conform all consumed me. But what I didn’t realize back then was that this battle was shaping me into the person I would one day become—a force to be reckoned with.

The years that followed were plagued by severe depression, self-harm, and the kind of suicidal thoughts that make you question whether you’ll ever see the light again. But through every dark night of the soul, something inside me refused to completely break. I realized that the only way out was through, and though the path was unclear, I started fighting—not just to survive, but to reclaim my life.

Discovering Strength: Rebuilding My Body and Mind

When I was 17, I stepped into a gym for the first time, and everything changed. I wasn’t just lifting weights; I was lifting myself up from the pit of despair I had been in. Fitness became my therapy, my medicine, my salvation. It was here that I started seeing the power of true strength—not just physical, but mental and emotional. The weights were heavy, but every rep was a reminder that I had the strength to keep pushing forward.

As my body began to transform—gaining muscle, growing stronger—I realized something profound: the physical changes weren’t just about looking good; they were about becoming the best version of myself. I started to build a foundation of confidence, discipline, and mental toughness that I had never known before. I was no longer the person who let her circumstances dictate her worth. I was a warrior, and this was my battlefield.

Overcoming Adversity: Pushing Beyond Limits

Even as I found my strength in the gym, life didn’t stop testing me. My body has faced the challenges of rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud’s disease—both conditions that could have easily become reasons to quit. But I refuse to accept limitations. Instead, I pushed through the pain, modified my approach, and kept fighting. My philosophy has always been simple: no matter the obstacles, if you want something bad enough, you find a way. You adapt, you push harder, and you never stop.

It wasn’t just my body that needed work. My mind needed the same level of training. As I worked on transforming my body, I also began to focus on mental and emotional strength. I understood that overcoming the self-doubt, the fears, and the insecurities that lingered was just as important as building muscle. I started to view my past not as a burden, but as the fuel that drives me to be who I am today: an alpha, a warrior, and a mentor to others who feel lost in their own battles.

Building a Brand: From Struggle to Strength

In 2013, I started my Instagram journey. What began as a personal outlet for sharing my transformation quickly grew into something much bigger: a platform for inspiring others to change their lives. I wanted people to see what was possible when you refused to settle, when you chose strength over weakness, and when you decided that your past doesn’t define your future.

Over the years, my Instagram grew into @SvagTillStark, and today, with over 200,000 followers, I’m able to reach people all over the world. I don’t just post pictures of workouts and meals; I share the real, raw truth of what it takes to change your life. I show the highs and the lows, the struggles and the victories, because I believe that true strength is about embracing all of it.

Through my coaching, I’ve helped countless individuals transform their bodies and their mindsets. I’m not here to sugarcoat the journey—I’m here to prepare you for the hard work, the sweat, the tears, and the dedication it takes to become the best version of yourself. My clients know that when they sign up for my coaching, they’re getting more than just a workout plan—they’re getting a roadmap to mental and emotional resilience.

The Power of Mindset: Beyond the Physical

What I’ve learned over the years is this: the key to true transformation lies in your mindset. You can’t out-train a bad attitude, and you can’t out-exercise a negative belief system. That’s why I don’t just focus on physical training—I help my clients build mental toughness, too. Whether it’s overcoming limiting beliefs, fighting self-doubt, or developing an unwavering belief in your own power, I guide people through the internal battles that stand in their way.

The work I do is about more than just aesthetics or performance; it’s about creating a mindset that refuses to quit, a body that’s built to endure, and a life that’s designed to thrive. My approach is holistic, combining strength training, calisthenics, functional fitness, and high-intensity workouts that build both muscle and character.

Building the Future: Coaching, E-books, and Empowerment

As a certified personal trainer and online coach with over 12 years of experience, I’ve spent my career developing training programs that are effective, efficient, and transformative. Whether you’re looking to burn fat, build muscle, or develop strength, I have a program designed for you. I also offer personalized meal plans to help you optimize your diet, with a focus on clean, natural, and unprocessed foods that fuel your body for peak performance.

But I don’t just stop at coaching. I’ve written e-books that provide my followers with the tools they need to succeed in their fitness journey. From workout programs to meal plans, motivational strategies, and mindset shifts, my e-books are designed to empower individuals to take charge of their health and their lives.

As I continue to grow my brand and reach more people, my vision remains clear: to inspire others to embrace their inner strength, break free from their limitations, and live life on their terms. The journey I’ve taken has shaped me into someone who doesn’t just talk the talk—I walk the walk. And now, I’m here to help you do the same.

The Legacy I’m Building

I’m on a mission to create a global community of warriors—people who are committed to transforming their lives, not just for a moment, but for the long haul. I want to continue to push boundaries, break down barriers, and show the world that no matter where you start, you can rise. No matter the obstacles, you can achieve greatness. I’m living proof of that, and I’ll keep sharing my story to inspire others to believe in their own power.

This isn’t just a career for me. It’s a movement. It’s a revolution of strength, resilience, and empowerment. And I’m just getting started.

Join Me. Let’s Build Something Unstoppable.