Community Highlights: Meet Amber Batten of The Missfiitt Project

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Batten

Hi Amber , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born on October 23, 1988, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN to Fred and Denise Batten. Although my birthplace was Nashville, my family—my mother, father, sister (Brandi) and I—lived in Murfreesboro, TN. For my early education, I attended F. H. Jenkins Elementary, now known as F. H. Jenkins Preparatory School. During those years, my mom and I commuted daily between Murfreesboro and Nashville for work and school.

In fourth grade, I began playing basketball, a sport I loved and continued with throughout high school. The summer between my fifth and sixth grades, my family moved from Tennessee to Mississippi. At my new school, E. E. Rogers in Jackson, MS, there were no organized sports teams, so I played basketball recreationally through church leagues and PE classes.

For high school, I attended Bass Memorial Academy (BMA) in Lumberton MS, a boarding school where I started at 14. The work-study curriculum at BMA allowed me to develop leadership skills and a strong work ethic, as we worked and studied while living on campus, mimicking the college experience. At BMA, I was reunited with organized basketball and played competitively through high school. Additionally, I played flag football, soccer, floor hockey, and volleyball, avoiding only softball. My competitiveness and love for being active flourished during this time.

I later attended Oakwood University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). I currently work as a nurse manager at Pinnacle Dermatology’s Murfreesboro office. Fast forward to 2022, during the pandemic, I reached my heaviest weight of 213 lbs and grew increasingly unhappy with how I looked and felt. Determined to change, I started exercising on May 1, 2022, using the “Walk the Weight Off” YouTube video by GrowWithJo. To stay accountable, I posted on Instagram with the hashtag #maydaychallenge, encouraging friends and family to join me. What began as a 31-day challenge extended beyond the summer, through the end of the year, and ultimately to a full year. I exercised for 30 minutes every single day for 365 days, resulting in a 50-lb weight loss.

As I grew stronger, I diversified my workouts to include cardio, full-body exercises, weight lifting, and active recovery days. Now, having maintained my weight loss, I am passionate about helping others pursue a lifestyle of health and fitness. My approach doesn’t involve restrictive diets but focuses on portion control, increased fruit and vegetable intake, and staying hydrated.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is full of winding roads, marked by highs, lows, and maintenance checkpoints. Professionally, my journey has not always been easy, shaped by obstacles such as depression, anxiety, and impostor syndrome, which stemmed from perceived failures in nursing school.

To provide some background, I entered college in 2007 and graduated in 2012. Until that point, I had been an honor roll and dean’s list student all my life. However, I failed a class in nursing school and had to repeat that semester. I unfortunately tied my identity to this experience of what I perceived as failure, and allowed this mentality to linger for years before I could disassociate it from who I was as a person.

Additionally, I experienced repeated trauma from unsuccessful NCLEX (nursing licensure) attempts, leading to a clinical diagnosis of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Exercise and intentional movement have become extremely personal to me as they help decrease my signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety daily.

These are only a few of the challenges I’ve faced along the way. However, as I continue to grow, I understand more deeply who I am and why I am here.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Missfiitt Project ?
The MissFiitt project is a passion project of mine that has been built on the basis of empowering women to be comfortable, confident and consistent with fitness and overall wellness.

The MissFiitt project currently mentors 5-10 women every 6 weeks.You can join the “Weight List’ if the sign up for the current cohort is closed. Currently our website is under construction, however you can book a consultation via email at [email protected].

The MissFiitt Project Podcast is posted weekly giving on all streaming platforms including Apple podcast and Spotify. Our podcast focuses on  testimonials, tip, tricks, education, information and inspiration on all things fitness. We will debunk myths, give fact over fiction, talk about our struggles and our victories!! If you would like to be a guest please email me at [email protected]. Happy listening!!

I have created an accountability group chat aka “The FiitForrum” with it’s cohort members during the 6 week mentorship, giving you direct access to me via groupchat for questions and support and encouragement and accountability with other members.I also send weekly check in videos to the group via the FiitForrum groupchat.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal prep options are also available during the 6 week cohort.
Feel free to follow my Instagram page to keep up with the daily habits, check-ins, an overall fun time @projectmissfiitt!!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Email : [email protected]
Instagram: projectmissfiitt

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectmissfiitt/