Meet Amanda Pastrnak

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Pastrnak.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Amanda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up as an obese child and bullied because of it, so I never thought I would be where I am today calling myself an Actress and model. The harsh comments from other kids made me develop a thick skin pretty early on, which definitely helps in the Entertainment industry. After a while, all the comments did get to me, so I took my health in my own hands, well as much as I could as a 6th grader. For years I yo yo’d on the scale, went through an eating disorder and dealt with everything that accompanies that. Until finally, I researched and found what diet lifestyle worked for me and my body. I was active in all different sports and dance and really fell in love with the outlet dance gave me. I got to tell a story through movements and captivate an audience. That’s when I realized my love for Entertaining and making people feel things. I was approached by a modeling agency in college and signed on the spot. I loved modeling and being in front of the camera, but I always wanted to be more than that. I wanted to be known for more than my face and body. I wanted to be a talent and have a personality known to the public eye. So I started taking acting classes and fell in love with creating and performing. I loved getting lost in the stories and being able to be a new character with each new script.

I like to use my voice to empower women to love their body no matter the shape or size. A voice to help girls going through ridicule and criticism and harness it for growth and motivation. A voice to help girls and women through eating disorders and mental illness. I have come so far from the town in Iowa, but I still have so much further to go to be the name I want to be.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It is never a smooth road in the Industry. The biggest struggle I have is that your work input doesn’t always equal your success in the industry. It’s a lot of factors rolled into one. It is your look, your voice, who you know, and good timing. There are struggles in every job because life is a struggle. As long as you are passionate about what you are going after the struggles are what keep you motivated. No one stayed motivated and grateful from a smooth road.

Tell us about your work – what should we know?
I am an actress and model occasionally. I am more of a dramatic actor and have been in a few short films, webisodes, an indie feature film, a few commercials, and a few music videos and hope that it is just the start of what you will be seeing of me. I am proud of taking the chance to scrap my degree and chase my dream of acting. Not everyone takes the risk and I can say I have. What sets me apart is I appear one way to people but my personality is completely different than what you would expect. I am weird, quirky, funny, sarcastic, and an extremely kind human being. I can be super girly, but also can play dirty with the guys.

I am starting a YouTube channel called Simply Amanda to provide tips and advice from health to boys. Basically becoming the big sister to all of YouTube. Check it out 🙂

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents are constant supporters of me. They supported me for my first year out here and I couldn’t be more grateful for that. My mom and dad have always been my biggest cheerleaders, no matter what I wanted to do. Out here, I have an amazing support system too. My boyfriend and best friend are both actors and get the struggle. They are two people that are always there for me pushing and motivating me to be my best self. My boyfriend calms me down through every anxiety attack or feeling of insecurity. He also is my personal photog and get all those angles lol. My best friend cheers me on and supports me through everything. Without those two, LA would be an extremely hard place to live.