South County Profile: Amanda Thunberg

Growing up, Amanda Thunberg participated in Competitive Gymnastics for ten years. Six of those years, she trained at Athletics Unlimited competing as a level six gymnast. Eventually, Thunberg began dancing for the Dance Depot in Redding spending four years there, before she began coaching for Athletics Unlimited in 2008.

"I was talking with Phil Ewart one day, and he asked me if I would like to come back to the gym as a coach," said Thunberg. "I have been coaching for the past three years in my favorite gym with people that treat each other like family."

Thunberg coaches the Super Tots class, with an age range of three to five years old and the Level One class. The amount of gymnasts in each class, depends on the ability level of the child. Thunberg works on Wednesdays and Thursdays with her students and also works at the gym on Saturdays when she is needed for Open Gym.

"I love watching the kids learn something new, and then seeing them move on to the next level with it. The kids that are the most fun to work with, are the ones that start gymnastics and grow up in the sport," said Thunberg.

Besides coaching gymnastics, Thunberg is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at Shasta College.

"Coaching the Super Tots class and the Level Ones, helped me find my path to wanting to become a teacher. Working with kids is definitely my passion. I would like to coach gymnastics as long as I can," said Thunberg.

Thunberg's favorite event has always been the floor exercise.

"I enjoy going hard and as fast as I can, doing skills. There is nothing like it! It is exhilarating. Mastering new skills is amazing, you never stop learning," said Thunberg.

Thunberg would like to see the gymnasts she has coached go as far as they can in the sport and hopefully continue on to compete in the Olympics.

Thunberg is a 2009 graduate of Shasta Secondary Home School, and a student at Shasta College.

Name: Amanda Thunberg.

Born where and when: Redding, 1991.

Occupation: Gymnastics Coach.

Marital Status: Engaged.

Family: My fiance John, my mom and my grandparents.

Pets: Two cats and a wonderful dog.

My worst job: I've never had a bad job. Working at the gym is my first one.

My first job: Coaching at Athletics Unlimited.

In my spare time I: Ride horses, play with my dog down at the creek and hang out with my family.

My favorite book: I don't have a specific favorite book, but I definitely love any book by Stephen King.

My favorite movie: Alvin and the Chipmonks, the Squeakual.

My favorite recording artist: T.A.T.U.

My dream car: A 1969 Chevelle S.S.

My friends like me because: I'm honest, caring, fun and like able.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Materials to make a raft, so I could get back to civilization.

The one thing about life I've learned is: Never take things for granted.

The best advice my parents gave me: Live one day at a time.

My most embarrassing moment: Tripping and falling in front of a guy I had a huge crush on.

My most irrational act: Sneaking out at night.

My most valued material possession: The ring my fiance gave me.

What I like best about the North State: The beautiful mountains surrounding the land. Just the scenery.

My hero is: My mother, I've learned so much from her.

My pet peeve is: Fingernails on a chalk board.

My fantasy is: To live on a ranch with lots of animals, somewhere in the mountains.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Try to save more money than I spend.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More areas for teens/kids to be able to play and be safe.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: That even though times can get rough, they always get better.