Amanda Blackwood is a survivor of human trafficking. She didn't tell anyone about that for many years because she had received so much situational prejudice in California while modeling and acting. Finally she moved to Colorado in 2016.
"It was my scary little secret. It would stay that way."
In 2019 the man who had trafficked Amanda made her famous on a pornography sight by sharing rape videos and photos, and linked them all to my social media pages. I reached out to an anti-trafficking organization here in Colorado who paired me with legal services to assist in having the videos taken down, but I made the mistake one day of thinking I was alone in the office. My boss had been only 100 yards away and could overhear my conversation with my lawyer and never made a sound - until the call ended. When the call ended and I heard him moving around, I knew he had been listening. Less than a month later I was fired, the week before Thanksgiving.
"I felt lost and alone."
It was one of the best things that could have happened to me. I'm now a full time author and public speaker. I met my husband in 2021 and in 2022 I finally launched a career as a public speaker, talking about overcoming obstacles, letting go of resentment, and learning how to approach the difficult conversations that need to happen before it's too late.
"Because I was able to do the work, I'm now able to have this amazing life."
When I speak on stage about my experiences I try to always inject a sense of humor. The subject matter I talk about can be really heavy, and if it's not delivered properly it can leave people feeling triggered, traumatized and depressed. I see this often. It's what I lovingly refer to as "trauma vomiting." You get all the bad stuff, and nothing good comes from it.
I want people to feel uplifted, not depressed! I like to talk about how my life changed since then, what I did to overcome the trauma, what it's meant to my relationships with people, and that dirty of all dirties, forgiveness.
"It may not always be easy to let go of anger, but it will ALWAYS be worth it."
I've been able to speak on a multitude of stages. I've been interviewed by the Chicago Tribune, sold my artwork internationally, been a keynote speaker at international summits, talked on multiple radio programs, and published over a dozen books. I also launched two podcasts - one that focuses on interviewing other authors of trauma, and the other that discusses the long term consequences of trauma and how to fight back for a better life.
"The past doesn't define me. What I do with it does."
As seen on:
A21 walk in Denver, 2022.
Chicago Tribune article, 2021
Mt Quandary climb "Climb Your Mountain" keynote speaker
San Diego tribune newspaper front page
Photo by Sassy Knot Photography, used for Cruisin' Tennyson poster and advertising.
Photo by Sassy Knot Photography, used for Cruisin' Tennyson poster and advertising.
Amanda spent several years as a flight atendant, 2013-2015
Animation Awards red carpet, 2012
Photo by Sassy Knot Photography, used for Buzz Sprout Magazine
Amanda with her uncle Roger Martin and videographer Jim from "Out and About with Roger Martin" during a co-hosting adventure.
Sam Saboura and Amanda Blackwood
Extreme Makeover S2.E19 (Amanda was the Mini-makeover in the middle of the episode).
Photo by Ron Herdt of Amanda with Vince and Peggy, some of her long time social media followers.
Voice actress headshot - "Lady Jaye" in the GI Joe 'Almost Animated' series.
Surviving in the Kitchen
My first ever cookbook is now available
at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online!