July 21, 2025 • 37 mins
Amanda Kloots returns to The Bright Side for a wide-ranging and deeply honest conversation about navigating change. She opens up her time on The Talk, launching her new supplement line, and what it’s been like to date again after deep loss. From grief spirals to green drinks, romantic firsts to full-body MRIs, Amanda shows us what it means to live fully—even when you feel a little lost. This is an era of reinvention, self-compassion, and staying open to what's next.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, y'all, big announcement here. I am so excited to share.
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Los Angeles. If you've been before, you know it's Hello
Sunshine's incredible weekend of connection, joy and community. And if
you haven't, well, this is the year to come. Throughout
the day, you'll experience thoughtful panels, fireside chats, workshops, and
(00:22):
immersive activations surrounded by voices that are shaping culture and
shifting conversations. Whether you're a longtime listener or just joining us,
this is your chance to be part of a truly
special and memorable weekend. Tickets are selling fast, so head
to hellosunshine dot com slash shine Away to grab yours.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Today.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
On the right side, we're talking to an og friend
of the show, y'all, and someone who inspires us all
to live healthy, heart centered lives, from how to listen
to your gut after a dream job ends to opening
your heart again after loss. Amandaclutes is back and sharing
what's shifting and blossoming in her world.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
I feel a little lost right now, but that's maybe
that's okay, you know what I mean, Like we can't
always feel like we have like one hundred percent purpose.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm Simone Boyce and this is the bright Side from
Hella Sunshine. If you're someone who's navigating a big life transition,
whether it's a career shift, a new relationship, or maybe
just trying to prioritize staying hydrated and socializing without feeling overwhelmed, well,
today's episode is for you. Amanda Klutes is back on
(01:35):
the bright side, and she's showing us what it looks
like to embrace change with optimism, honesty, and joy. You
probably know Amanda from our time co hosting The Talk
on CBS, or maybe you've tried her incredible workout programs
or read her best selling book, or perhaps you, like me,
enjoy engaging with her adorable Instagram posts with her son Elvis.
(01:56):
Amanda really is one of these modern women who truly
does it all, and now that her time on The
Talk has come to an end, she's stepping into a
new chapter, one that positions her as the founder of
a rainbow colored line of supplements called Proper and a
woman who's even making a little space for romance after
losing her husband Nick to COVID five years ago. There's
(02:18):
a lot of exciting change in Amanda's life right now,
and I'm sure you'll be able to hear that in
her voice throughout this conversation. You'll also hear Amanda get
real about feeling a little lost too, something I've been
able to relate to as of late, honestly, so it
was comforting to hear. Oh, yeah, I'm not the only
one going through this, and yeah, it is okay to
feel a little lost sometimes. So wherever you are in
(02:41):
figuring out your next steps, Amanda's journey might just help
you find a little clarity and a whole lot of hope.
All right, let's get to it. Amanda, welcome back to
the bright Side.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Thank you, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I'm so happy to have you. I know that so
much has changed in your life and so many new
things happened since you were last on the show. What
are you celebrating in your life right now?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh gosh, what am I celebrating? That's a good question.
I'm traveling a lot with Elvis this July, so that
will be very fun. Whenever we travel, we really bond
in like a new special way. I think because you're
with your kid twenty four to seven and so you
just bond and do that. So I'm definitely celebrating him
(03:28):
and our relationship in our bond. And then I would
say my new supplement company. We have a new launch
coming out, so I'll be celebrating that.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
So much to celebrate, and I can't wait to talk
to you about all Things Proper. That's your supplement line
that you just mentioned. I love the bond that you
have with your son, Alvis. It's so sweet, and I
just I love all your motherhood content that you post
on social media. You are an amazing mom.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Sometimes I'm like, is this too much motherhood?
Speaker 3 (03:55):
No?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Not all mix it in.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
I personally am inspired by your motherhood content. I recently
saw that you and Elvis have a summer to do
list and I was like, I need to do this
with my kids.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
You should totally.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
It was so fun and it was I stole it
from my mom friend and I was like, wait, I
gotta do that with Elvis because I think it's just
good to like have silly goals like that, and just
it's so fun. Kids love a checklist, Elvis loves a checklist.
I love a checklist, So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I have two kids, but my oldest is five, and
I brought up the idea to him. I was like,
we should make a summer to do list. And he's
kind of getting to that point where he's a little
bit cynical about everything, and I totally thought he would
be like, oh no, I don't want to do that,
but he was so excited. I think of activities to
do together and to write him down, and you're right.
Kids totally love a checklist totally.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
And I mean some of them were like play basketball, yeah,
because we don't have a basketball court at our house. Yeah,
and he loves basketball, so it was like, let's play
basketball somewhere.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
I've really been trying to reframe how I approach motherhood
and instead of getting overwhelmed by it and by the responsibilities,
I have just been coming from a place of gratitude, like,
oh my gosh, I get to spend two days a
week with my kids when they're out of camp. Yeah,
and I get to take them on adventures and do
(05:19):
little staycations with them. And honestly, that shift has been
everything for me.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah. That I mean, well, it's so powerful, that word.
I mean, I do that with working out.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I get to work out today, I get to move
my body. I think that's like, it's such a strong
mind shift that we all need.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
When you see the young man that Elvis is becoming,
what is the thing you're most proud of as a parent.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
I don't know if he got this from me or
if it's just in his DNA. I'm not sure, but
I'm so proud of his empathy at a young age.
For instance, I had spent my late husband's anniversary is
coming up in a couple of days, that'll be five
years since he passed, and I always try to do
(06:07):
some sort of tribute post on Instagram for him, just
because I believe that, you know, we have to keep
lifting up the people in our lives that we've lost
so that their names are always celebrated and not forgotten.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So I'm like going.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Through like archives of pictures and Instagram things. So anyways,
I went down a rabbit hole and I was like
on my phone for like the whole evening. We climb
into bed because he sleeps with me, and I was
just like, buddy, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I know I was on my phone all night.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I was like, but I was looking at stuff about dad,
and I was like, I really miss Daddy and the
little kid. He's six, just turn six. He looks at me,
he goes, come here, Mom, lifts up his arm, Oh
my gosh, to put it around me like I do
to him, you know, yes, and says come cuddle with
(06:56):
me and wants me to.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Put my head on his che.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
So I know already I'm gonna be way too heavy
for this kid. Yeah, but I entertain his adorable you know,
just love that he's trying to give to me right now.
So I go in, I like put my head on
his chest. He starts laughing. He's like, you're earrings and
I'm like, I know, I'm sorry. I was like, this
is harky, I know. And then he was like, Mom,
(07:23):
you're so heavy, You're like a ten pound weight. I
was like, well, I'm an adult, and I was like
it's okay, buddy. I was like, one day you'll be
bigger than me and you'll be able to cuddle me.
And so then I like switched positions and described him instead.
But it was literally like a moment like that simone
where I was just like, I don't know if it's
how I raised you or if it's just who you are,
(07:46):
but like you literally just tried to cuddle me and
make me feel better. He has a good little heart.
He's an old soul, he always has been.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Well, it's the best whenever your kids actually mirror something
positive that you do as opposed to you're like, oh no,
I wish you didn't notice that.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Totally.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
That is the best.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
We do this thing where whenever we get mad at
each other. Yeah, and we're frustrated because this might work
for your son, right yeaw too, because their feelings are
really starting to come out, And whenever we're frustrated, we
just look etch to them and.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Go, I love you.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Instead of saying what we want to say, we just
yell and say I love you instead, and it always
makes us laugh and then we get past that frustrating moment.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
So you can take that one too.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I'm taking that one all the way to the bank, Ammanda. Yeah. So,
not too long ago, you closed a fun but perhaps
unexpected chapter of your life on The Talk. Yes, yes,
so you hosted CBS's daytime talk show. The Talk came
to a nine after fifteen seasons, and I know that
you've talked about it as a dream job. Looking back
(08:56):
on that transition, Yeah, like how did that trans period
feel for you?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
I mean, it's so funny. I think I didn't really
kind of look back on it until it ended, and
I remembered being like, whoa like I entered that job
in the height of my grief, which now being you know,
five years into grief, I'm like, how did I? How
(09:21):
did I do that? But I also think that it
did save me. And you know, Nick died in July.
I started that job co hosting in October as like
a test for testing it then officially started in January.
I mean, what a blur, right like, going from living
at home every day, being at the hospital every day,
(09:45):
to being on national television every single day, hair makeup, outfits, interviews.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
I mean, I don't know how you did it.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I don't either, Like I really I really don't, because
I now understand grief and such a different capacity.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
But I also think that maybe.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It's what saved me, you know what I mean, because
I had a job every day. It got me out
of the house, it got me, you know, into regular clothes.
I was talking to adults every day, you know, otherwise
it just would have been me and Elvis was one
at the time. So I think that it was Oh
my god, I mean not was. It was like a
(10:25):
life saver. I think God like just threw me a
huge life saver and was like, this is what you're
going to do, and this is what you know, you
get to do every single day.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
And it was so fun.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
I mean I got to meet so many awesome people,
and it was such a great intro into Los Angeles,
into Hollywood, you know, because like you're meeting people like
you meet people on like just a level playing field,
not at some Hollywood party. And so it's so cool
when you get to meet somebody in their sweatpants and
your sweatpants and no makeup on and just be like, oh,
(10:57):
thanks for being on the Talk today. You know, what
are you promoting? And then you know, it just was
so fun. It was such a fun, awesome job. But
also at the same point, it was very hard because
I often would have a horrible morning or a bad
day or a sleepless night, and then you know, you
have to completely change it for the day.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
You know what I mean, And you're showing up to
work every day and you're processing your grief on TV
as you're talking about your own experiences. I would imagine
that the show kind of gave you new language to
reflect on grief.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yes, oh, I remember.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
One of my first interviews was like Jamie Lee Curtis,
and I was freaking out because I was like, I
have no right to be interviewing Jamie Lee Curtis and
it was over zoom, but still it was like, this
is Jamie Lee Curtis, right, And I was just, you know,
sitting next to Sharon Osbourne and Cheryl Underwood and you're like,
(11:59):
I have no right to be here. Imposter's sisdrome big time.
And it came from my question and she looked at
me and she was like, before you even asked me
my question, she was like, honey, grief is love, and
you know grief is going to take a long time
because you loved your husband for a long time and
you will always love him. And that was even before
(12:20):
I got my question out, and I just started sobbing
because again, you're so raw. But then she was telling
me this beautiful sentiment that you know, stayed with me
of course, and so yeah, it was like unexpected things
like that, you know, where you're just that's a perfect
example of the mixed emotions, like I'm I'm dealing with grief.
Now I'm on live television crying, yes, and so yeah,
(12:43):
it was just a whirlwind.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
So moh, like I can't. Yeah, it's so crazy that
that all happened.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And in the midst of all of it, we've got
to take a quick break. We'll be right back with
more from Amanda Clutes. So when the show came to
a close, how did you balance closing that door while
also figuring out, ooh, what do I get to do
with my time? Now?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
I know it was wild, right because it's like, in
a way, it's only a couple hours out of your day,
but then when those hours are gone, you have so
much more free time. I was very much looking forward
to being more part of Elvis's life, you know, taking
him to school and picking him up and volunteering at school.
(13:30):
So that was really fun because I would always miss
those morning hours. And luckily I had already gotten a
job with Netflix doing Tyler Henry's Medium Show, so it
was easier to close that door on the Talk because
I already was doing the Tyler Henry Show, so I
knew that I had something already happening. That's very much
(13:52):
me though, Like I try to always have like twenty
things on the burner so that when one burner goes out,
I still have nineteen going on.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Yeah we'll come.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Yeah. As freelancers, it's hard not to have a scarcity
mindset and just want to stockpile all the opportunities because
you go through dry spells.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
Oh yeah, And I mean I've been dealing with that
since I was on Broadway, and you know, started working
at eighteen years old, so I am very used to
having a door close, a chapter close, a show close,
and a family exit and then you have to like
start all over again. So I think that that's just
been ingrained in me since I was eighteen, just to like,
(14:31):
this is a big chapter, this Broadway show or the
talk show is closing. But you also teach fitness, and
you also are a mom, and you also write, and
you also produce.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
So you're okay, yes, yes, what I mean. But that's
just being wild crazy lady.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I'm so similar in that I feel like I have
so many different creative ambitions, and sometimes I get in
my own head because I'm like, oh, you're supposed to
niche down and you're supposed to do one thing, and
I just don't know if that's in my DNA. I
don't think we have to. I think we're we're supposed to,
especially as women. A lot of times people will ask
me like, well, what what's the one thing you want
(15:05):
to do? Do you do you like hosting or do
you like you know, acting, or do you want to
do your fitness platform?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And I'm like, no, what, You're getting it all wrong.
They all make me happy. Yeah, they're all so fun
and I love being challenged in all of them, and
I want to do all of them.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
And so I say, do.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
All of it. Whatever happened to being well rounded? That
was the thing, Yeah, they told us to be whenever
I left high school. I was like, well rounded, be
well rounded.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Keeping we're well rounded, Keep learning, keep trying, keep doing. Yeah,
I think so well.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Now you're in a season of creating your own table
and this intersects with your own fitness interests. So I
want to talk about your healthline proper. I was lucky
enough to try some of the supplements when you were
first launching, and they are so good for anybody out
there who doesn't know, this is a rainbow colored line
of supplements that optimize your daily health.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Yes, we launched with five different superfood powders. And the
reason I chose these five is because I am a busy,
working single mom that sometimes I don't need the same
thing every day, you know what I mean, Like, sometimes
I am not eating my greens and I'm like, gosh,
I really could use a scoop of greens so that
(16:20):
I feel healthier about my diet today. Sometimes I'm getting
sick and worn down, so I need an immunity boost.
Sometimes my digestion is off and I'm feeling bloated, if
it's maybe that time of month, or if I was
just flying. So I created these five different powders so
that you could use them as you need. This is
(16:40):
a beautiful line. The rainbow sits on your counter. It's
inspiring you to want to add that little thing to
make you feel better about your day. I feel like
I spend a lot of money on supplements. I will
go down that hole and buy all of them, especially
(17:01):
at three am in the middle of the night when
I wake up and I can't sleep, and I just
felt like I was so sick of having this like
supplement graveyard I call on my countertop that just stares
at me. And like you're not taking your pill that
you bought and it was one hundred and fifty dollars,
or you're not drinking this greens powder but it tastes terrible,
so I.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Don't want to drink it anymore.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
And so it just was important to me to create
a line that was affordable, accessible, and that was tailored
to what you needed instead of something staring at you,
going you're not doing what you should be.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Doing, and what you've done, I feel like, is condensed
several different wellness habits or supplements into a streamlined, you know,
line of nutrients.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Yes, yes, yeah, try it can be overwhelming, yeah, I
think so. And again it's like you don't need the
same thing every day, you know what I mean. Like,
sometimes I'm full of anxiety and at three o'clock, I'm
going to take the proper calm and anxieties into some
water and make myself feel better. And then other days
(18:03):
I'm not anxious at all, you know what I mean. Like,
I just think that it's important to stay in tune
to who you are and what you need and tailor
your day, your week, your month to that instead of
taking one thing all the time and then feeling guilty
if you don't take it.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
The calm one that you mentioned is probably my favorite.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
It has elf in it, yes, And it has ashwagandha
in it and magnesium and it's not a sleep aid,
so you really can take it at any time of
the day. Yeah, but I do love taking it at
night after dinner and I just do feel like it
does calm me before I go to bed.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
But our sleep aid is coming. That's that one's coming soon.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
I'm into the brain boosting, like I'll take a little
magic mind if I have to host something.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yes, and you feel like that really helps you, I do. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
I feel like it like makes my brain sharper because
some of these days my brain is just like so slow.
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
I hear you, I know, I know, and sleep affects
that for me, Like if I don't get a good
night's sleep, I am just yeah, I'm a mess all
day for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Let's talk about wellness trends at large. I know you're
a wellness trend early. Yes, what is one wellness doing?
So many tell me I want to give me the
whole dammit. What's what are the wellness trends?
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're so In my defense, I will say that we
live in Los Angeles, and this town just makes wellness
and longevity so accessible. It's like we are even EON's
ahead of New York City in wellness and longevity. It's true,
I think, so it just is at our fingertips. Uh huh.
(19:46):
And then my other thing I will say before I
go into all the crazy things I do, is that
I am a single mom and like, I'm really trying
hard to be like the healthiest person for my kid,
right Like I you know, I'm I'm all that Elvis has.
So I am trying to be as healthy as possible
(20:08):
so that I can stay around for my little boy
as long as possible. Yeah, I would love to be
two hundred years old if I yes, Okay, so what
if I do?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I'll just list them all and then you can go in.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
I just finished my third round of the full body
MRI scan with Preneuvo. I love that I'm obsessed with
blood work and pretty much get my blood work done,
if not three times twice a year to go through
all of my levels.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
See what more I need? What less I need?
Speaker 1 (20:40):
All of the things, And what are you looking for
when you do that? Is that purely from like a
functional medicine perspective.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Hormonal hormones, but also like vitamin B twelve. Right now,
I just got my results back in and I'm like,
I need folic acid in my body just everything. Yeah,
it's just so fascinating to learn about your blood. And also,
I mean, your blood tells you about like cancer risks,
(21:05):
disese risks, and like, so I'm obsessed with blood work.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
It's our data.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yes, and whenever I'm starting to feel off, I am like,
immediately try to get my blood done and get all
of those red because it's just so cool to learn about.
I do NAD infusions once a month. I do peptide
injections at my own house. I inject them into my body.
(21:32):
I love Sanna and cold plunge. I pretty much do
it three or four times a week, hyperbaric chambers. I
just did some cell infusions and exosomes.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
This is the LA Starter Kit, by the way.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
I mean, I told you it's quite bonkers.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
But what you can't see right now if you're listening,
is that her skin looks incredible. Yay, she's glowing. So
the LA Starter Kit is working.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Listen, it's not cheap either.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I'm not trying to say that any of this is
necessarily affordable, but I don't buy expensive bags. I don't
buy expensive clothing or shoes or jewelry. I just don't.
I never really have cared about that kind of stuff.
But I love health and wellness, and I would rather
(22:20):
spend or save for you know, the three sauna sessions
a month, then you know, go out and buy, you know,
diamond earrings.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
I see only green flags. I see all green flags.
More from Amanda Clutes. After this short break, we're back
with Amanda Clutes. Well, I would love to pivot to
talk to you about dating Amanda. Oh yeah, can we
talk about dating again? Okay, So you recently kind of
(22:51):
made a public appearance with your new man.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I did I know? Oh my god, this is so exciting.
How did you meet?
Speaker 3 (23:00):
We met through our mutual friend. Yeah, and so that
was nice. I like, I'm not on dating apps. I
haven't been on one in a very long time, so
it is nice when you meet somebody through a friend.
In my opinion, what'd you do on your first date?
He would say that we played tennis. I would say
(23:22):
that we went out to dinner.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Wait, why why are there different stories.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Because I met him.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
I met him last September, but I didn't consider that
a date. He did, But I would say that our
first date was when I actually was like, if you
would like to take me out on a date, So
that would have been February and that would have been dinner.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Yeah, okay, I think I agree with you on this one. Yeah.
Is this your first kind of serious relationships since your
husband passed?
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Oh? No, that I've had a couple serious relationships. Yes,
And it's interesting, you know, it's it's hard dated.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
For me.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
It's been hard.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
And the two relationships I had prior were wonderful, but
they each kind of chipped off a new layer of
grief for me that was interesting, like that I hadn't
yet recognized for myself or.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
For Elvis. And so it's been an interesting road. You know,
it's not easy.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Tell me about that process, Like, how did they kind
of take off that new layer of grief for give
you a new lens?
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (24:34):
So well, I'll just say like the second relationship I had,
it was so beautiful, but it was the first time
I integrated Elvis into a relationship, and as beautiful as
that was, I realized like, whoa, this is a whole
new world for me, and it was so great but
(24:59):
also really really hard, and like this weird mama bearness
came out that I didn't think would happen. Like I
got worried that I was losing him and losing our
time together and losing our special.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Bond because you're such a unit, yes.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
And we've done everything together, you know, I mean as
easy as And I know this probably sounds weird, but
like I've never sat on a couch and watched a
show at night with anyone but Elvis. So like when
the first time I'm sitting on the couch watching a movie,
having Friday night movie night with Elvis and I and
(25:37):
then a new person. Yeah, and it wasn't Nick. It
was like a whoa, like you know what I mean,
Like even so silly that it's that simple, but it
was like that threw me into like a grief spiral
for like three days. So it's just you know, weird
hard things like that that are like I try to
(26:00):
communicate because it's important to communicate, especially if you're dating
a widow or a widower, but like god, like it's
just so hard.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Well it's one thing to think about that situation in
the abstract like oh yeah, i'll date someone, I'll bring
someone into our fold. But then to see all the
bodies in the room together, yeah, you know, and life
really not looking the way that you ever imagined that
it would. I'm sure that's that really hits you hard.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
It's so weird. It's so hard.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Even like trick or treating, I was like whoa, Like
it's not Elvis and I anymore. Yeah, no, it's like
those three of us again. It brought out this weird,
primal like almost this feeling of like.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
You can't take my son.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
And then I'd be like, Amanda, that's not happening. Like
I was constantly battling myself being like, calmed down, that's
not what's happening.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
This is beautiful. Oh right, this is beautiful.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I'm not a lie anymore in this fight, Like this
is so lovely, like just breathe. But then it would
be like ah, that protector would come back in and
it's like just wild the things that your brain and
your heart and everything goes through when you're trying to
try again.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
So it's been it's been a journey. What's been the
best part about falling in love again.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Oh, just I think feeling like you have a partner
in life again. I love having a partner, And I
think I've gotten so independent. I'm independent anyways in relationships,
Like I I think it's just you know, moving to
New York at eighteen years old and just having to
(27:44):
like become an adult very early on. Like I'm just
an independent person. But I love being in a relationship.
I love having someone else there and being you know,
with us like that's it feels great.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
I heard that you said, Nick, your late husband gave
you his blessing through medium readings.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Yeah that sounds crazy, right, No, nothing is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
How did you discover that?
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Well, first of all, I think if Nick could have
talked when he passed, I know for certain, he would
have said to me, you know, please find love again,
you know, don't stop loving, you know, try to find
happiness again.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
I know he would have.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
I would have said the same thing to him if
our tables were turned. So I never that is one
thing I never felt guilty about. And I know a
lot of widows and widowers deal with that guilt, but
I never had that. But yeah, there's been a lot
of medium readings where Nick has come through saying there's
somebody coming. I promise you already know him. It's just
(28:52):
the timing is off. And that sentence you already know
him is just the timing is off or the timing
isn't right, Like three different mediums said that to me.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
That's so specific.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Yeah, yeah, I know, and he I mean, he would
also say things like I know you're lonely. I know
it's hard. I promise you someone's coming, so like, and
I know those are very for skeptics out there, those
are very general things, but I don't know. I think
(29:24):
grief is so hard that anything you can find to
give you comfort or help in that healing process has
always helped me. And anytime I've seen a medium and
I've been feeling lost or lonely and that message comes through,
I'm always like, Okay, I can keep going, i can
keep trying, I can keep believing. And you know, I've
(29:46):
always felt like he's watching over us and making sure
that only the best person will enter our lives.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
So that guidance that you already know him and he's coming. Yeah.
Was there a moment in your current relationship where you
realize that Nick was sending you that message about this person.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
I mean it could it could be. I mean there be,
could be. I don't want to put.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Too much pressure on my current relationship, but there was
there was a night that I that I was like
screaming to the sky and asking Nick to send me
someone already, like it's just been too long, and like
(30:35):
where is like this person for myself, for my life,
in Elvis's life. And then the next date was our
official first date, or the next day was our official
first date. So like whoa, I mean, like I love
doing this kind of stuff, like I will find a
connection in like, well that is a purple and I
love purple and Nick liked purple. I mean, I can
(30:58):
do this all day. So right now, oh, it's just
go at the flow. And I think, you know, our
whole thing right now is just like communication and just
finding our new language because it's tough and I and
I think it's it's probably tough dating a widow, Like
it's a lot to take on.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
I would think, is there anything that you wish you
could tell a younger version of yourself about what it's
like to jump back in after loss or heartbreak? Any
piece of advice.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Yeah, I would just say, and then, you know, have
anyone else take this advice. Each date or each relationship
has really taught me a lot about myself and what
I need and what I want in this next chapter
(31:52):
of my life.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I didn't date a lot before Nick.
Speaker 3 (31:56):
I was married before Nick for seven years, and even
before that first marriage barely dated. I was doing Broadway
and you know, just very kind of leading Amanda life.
So it was really kind of like at forty when
I started dating for the first time. So I think
that the advice I would give myself is just like
(32:16):
allow yourself time and just try on all the different suits,
because you don't You're in a new chapter of your
life right now, and you need to learn. And I
have learned what I need, who I am, and what
Elvis and I need, and I think that that's, you know,
important to know. I think there's that pressure too when
(32:38):
you're in your forties. It's like, well, I have to
you know, am I going to marry this person?
Speaker 1 (32:42):
No?
Speaker 3 (32:43):
I mean maybe you know what I mean, but like
you don't have to know that right away.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
What if it's just about the connection or the chemistry
or yes.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Or just five fun dates. Yes that you feel like
you're twenty again laughing, yes, laughter, totally. You know, Oh
he wants to take you on a trip?
Speaker 1 (33:01):
Go, yes, go?
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Like as Nick would say, live your life. And so
I try to embrace that because I can get very
like in my head, you know, know, this has to
mean something or what does this mean? And so I
try to allow myself that freedom.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
It's hard out here being a girl who searches for meaning.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
And it's hard. Yeah, it is. It's hard.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
I don't I don't wish dating in your forties on anyone.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
It is not easy.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
What era is Amanda Clutes in now?
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Oh that's a good question. I don't know if I'm
in a new era yet.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
I feel like I'm in between eras at a moment,
like I'm I And that's been kind of frustrating because
I don't like feeling ambiguous or lost. It's just I
like having a goal and a dream and something that
I'm like really focused on working on. But I've also
like so funny because like I literally said this to
my therapist yesterday, like I feel a little lost right now,
(34:00):
but like that's maybe that's okay, you know, what I mean, Like,
we can't always feel like we have like one hundred
percent purpose. So I feel like summer's a great time
to feel lost. Yes, And I have Elvis, and I
have some like fun vacations coming up, and so I
(34:21):
don't know if I have a new era at the moment.
I hope it comes soon though, because I don't like
to feel lost for too long. But I'm also just well,
maybe my new era right now is feeling lost.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I don't know, the lost era, just allowing myself to
kind of have fun and just enjoy.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
Kind of like the sound of that maniclutes in her lost.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Lost Earah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, I relate to.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
That, though.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
I feel a little bit lost right now, to be honest,
I think sometimes like if you have a certain idea
of how your year is going to go and then
it doesn't go that way, you can start to feel
a bit untethered. Yeah, but I also agree with you,
like not totally mad at it. The feeling of being
lost also, I think comes with like a relief of
(35:06):
pressure off of yourself, yes, and just allowing giving yourself
permission to be like, yeah, I'm figuring it out right now.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
And I posted this thing on Instagram the other day
about how we if we're lucky, we only get seventy
five summers. Yeah, and it made me reframe this summer.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Yeah, like, just enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Enjoy this time you have with Elvis at six years
old where he's not trying to run off with his friends,
and enjoy that you have your freedom and you can
do whatever you want and that you're not restricted to
even though I'm dating somebody, like I can still be like,
you know what, Elvis, we're going away for the weekend.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Yeah, We're going to go to Italy or is so
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (35:48):
Like, so I think it just yeah, like I think
we have to embrace our lost feelings as much as possible.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
It's hard, but one.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Time for the lost girls, the lost girls, lost girls,
we're figuring out.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
We're figuring it out. It's okay. We go through these times, right.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
We do. Yeah, Amanda, thank you so much, so great
to catch up with you with you. I love you.
I love you too. Amanda Klutes is the founder of
Proper Health and the moderator on Live from the Other
Side with Tyler Henry on Netflix. The bright Side is
(36:27):
a production of Hello Sunshine and iHeart Podcasts and is
executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me Simone Voice. Production
is by A Cast Creative Studios. Our producers are Taylor Williamson,
Adrian Baine, Abby Delk, and Darby Masters. Our production assistant
is Joya putnoy A Casts Executive producers are Jenny Kaplan
(36:47):
and Emily Rudder. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the
executive producers for Hello Sunshine. Ali Perry and Lauren Hansen
are the executive producers for iHeart Podcasts. Tim Pallazola is
our showrunner. Our theme song is by Anna Stunk and
Hamilton Lakehouser
Hey, y'all, big announcement here. I am so excited to share.
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Los Angeles. If you've been before, you know it's Hello
Sunshine's incredible weekend of connection, joy and community. And if
you haven't, well, this is the year to come. Throughout
the day, you'll experience thoughtful panels, fireside chats, workshops, and
(00:22):
immersive activations surrounded by voices that are shaping culture and
shifting conversations. Whether you're a longtime listener or just joining us,
this is your chance to be part of a truly
special and memorable weekend. Tickets are selling fast, so head
to hellosunshine dot com slash shine Away to grab yours.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Today.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
On the right side, we're talking to an og friend
of the show, y'all, and someone who inspires us all
to live healthy, heart centered lives, from how to listen
to your gut after a dream job ends to opening
your heart again after loss. Amandaclutes is back and sharing
what's shifting and blossoming in her world.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
I feel a little lost right now, but that's maybe
that's okay, you know what I mean, Like we can't
always feel like we have like one hundred percent purpose.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
I'm Simone Boyce and this is the bright Side from
Hella Sunshine. If you're someone who's navigating a big life transition,
whether it's a career shift, a new relationship, or maybe
just trying to prioritize staying hydrated and socializing without feeling overwhelmed, well,
today's episode is for you. Amanda Klutes is back on
(01:35):
the bright side, and she's showing us what it looks
like to embrace change with optimism, honesty, and joy. You
probably know Amanda from our time co hosting The Talk
on CBS, or maybe you've tried her incredible workout programs
or read her best selling book, or perhaps you, like me,
enjoy engaging with her adorable Instagram posts with her son Elvis.
(01:56):
Amanda really is one of these modern women who truly
does it all, and now that her time on The
Talk has come to an end, she's stepping into a
new chapter, one that positions her as the founder of
a rainbow colored line of supplements called Proper and a
woman who's even making a little space for romance after
losing her husband Nick to COVID five years ago. There's
(02:18):
a lot of exciting change in Amanda's life right now,
and I'm sure you'll be able to hear that in
her voice throughout this conversation. You'll also hear Amanda get
real about feeling a little lost too, something I've been
able to relate to as of late, honestly, so it
was comforting to hear. Oh, yeah, I'm not the only
one going through this, and yeah, it is okay to
feel a little lost sometimes. So wherever you are in
(02:41):
figuring out your next steps, Amanda's journey might just help
you find a little clarity and a whole lot of hope.
All right, let's get to it. Amanda, welcome back to
the bright Side.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Thank you, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
I'm so happy to have you. I know that so
much has changed in your life and so many new
things happened since you were last on the show. What
are you celebrating in your life right now?
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Oh gosh, what am I celebrating? That's a good question.
I'm traveling a lot with Elvis this July, so that
will be very fun. Whenever we travel, we really bond
in like a new special way. I think because you're
with your kid twenty four to seven and so you
just bond and do that. So I'm definitely celebrating him
(03:28):
and our relationship in our bond. And then I would
say my new supplement company. We have a new launch
coming out, so I'll be celebrating that.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
So much to celebrate, and I can't wait to talk
to you about all Things Proper. That's your supplement line
that you just mentioned. I love the bond that you
have with your son, Alvis. It's so sweet, and I
just I love all your motherhood content that you post
on social media. You are an amazing mom.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Sometimes I'm like, is this too much motherhood?
Speaker 3 (03:55):
No?
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Not all mix it in.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
I personally am inspired by your motherhood content. I recently
saw that you and Elvis have a summer to do
list and I was like, I need to do this
with my kids.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
You should totally.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
It was so fun and it was I stole it
from my mom friend and I was like, wait, I
gotta do that with Elvis because I think it's just
good to like have silly goals like that, and just
it's so fun. Kids love a checklist, Elvis loves a checklist.
I love a checklist, So it's been fun.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
I have two kids, but my oldest is five, and
I brought up the idea to him. I was like,
we should make a summer to do list. And he's
kind of getting to that point where he's a little
bit cynical about everything, and I totally thought he would
be like, oh no, I don't want to do that,
but he was so excited. I think of activities to
do together and to write him down, and you're right.
Kids totally love a checklist totally.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
And I mean some of them were like play basketball, yeah,
because we don't have a basketball court at our house. Yeah,
and he loves basketball, so it was like, let's play
basketball somewhere.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
I've really been trying to reframe how I approach motherhood
and instead of getting overwhelmed by it and by the responsibilities,
I have just been coming from a place of gratitude, like,
oh my gosh, I get to spend two days a
week with my kids when they're out of camp. Yeah,
and I get to take them on adventures and do
(05:19):
little staycations with them. And honestly, that shift has been
everything for me.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Yeah. That I mean, well, it's so powerful, that word.
I mean, I do that with working out.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I get to work out today, I get to move
my body. I think that's like, it's such a strong
mind shift that we all need.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
When you see the young man that Elvis is becoming,
what is the thing you're most proud of as a parent.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
I don't know if he got this from me or
if it's just in his DNA. I'm not sure, but
I'm so proud of his empathy at a young age.
For instance, I had spent my late husband's anniversary is
coming up in a couple of days, that'll be five
years since he passed, and I always try to do
(06:07):
some sort of tribute post on Instagram for him, just
because I believe that, you know, we have to keep
lifting up the people in our lives that we've lost
so that their names are always celebrated and not forgotten.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
So I'm like going.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Through like archives of pictures and Instagram things. So anyways,
I went down a rabbit hole and I was like
on my phone for like the whole evening. We climb
into bed because he sleeps with me, and I was
just like, buddy, I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I know I was on my phone all night.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I was like, but I was looking at stuff about dad,
and I was like, I really miss Daddy and the
little kid. He's six, just turn six. He looks at me,
he goes, come here, Mom, lifts up his arm, Oh
my gosh, to put it around me like I do
to him, you know, yes, and says come cuddle with
(06:56):
me and wants me to.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Put my head on his che.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
So I know already I'm gonna be way too heavy
for this kid. Yeah, but I entertain his adorable you know,
just love that he's trying to give to me right now.
So I go in, I like put my head on
his chest. He starts laughing. He's like, you're earrings and
I'm like, I know, I'm sorry. I was like, this
is harky, I know. And then he was like, Mom,
(07:23):
you're so heavy, You're like a ten pound weight. I
was like, well, I'm an adult, and I was like
it's okay, buddy. I was like, one day you'll be
bigger than me and you'll be able to cuddle me.
And so then I like switched positions and described him instead.
But it was literally like a moment like that simone
where I was just like, I don't know if it's
how I raised you or if it's just who you are,
(07:46):
but like you literally just tried to cuddle me and
make me feel better. He has a good little heart.
He's an old soul, he always has been.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Well, it's the best whenever your kids actually mirror something
positive that you do as opposed to you're like, oh no,
I wish you didn't notice that.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
Totally.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
That is the best.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
We do this thing where whenever we get mad at
each other. Yeah, and we're frustrated because this might work
for your son, right yeaw too, because their feelings are
really starting to come out, And whenever we're frustrated, we
just look etch to them and.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Go, I love you.
Speaker 3 (08:24):
Instead of saying what we want to say, we just
yell and say I love you instead, and it always
makes us laugh and then we get past that frustrating moment.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
So you can take that one too.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
I'm taking that one all the way to the bank, Ammanda. Yeah. So,
not too long ago, you closed a fun but perhaps
unexpected chapter of your life on The Talk. Yes, yes,
so you hosted CBS's daytime talk show. The Talk came
to a nine after fifteen seasons, and I know that
you've talked about it as a dream job. Looking back
(08:56):
on that transition, Yeah, like how did that trans period
feel for you?
Speaker 3 (09:01):
I mean, it's so funny. I think I didn't really
kind of look back on it until it ended, and
I remembered being like, whoa like I entered that job
in the height of my grief, which now being you know,
five years into grief, I'm like, how did I? How
(09:21):
did I do that? But I also think that it
did save me. And you know, Nick died in July.
I started that job co hosting in October as like
a test for testing it then officially started in January.
I mean, what a blur, right like, going from living
at home every day, being at the hospital every day,
(09:45):
to being on national television every single day, hair makeup, outfits, interviews.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
I mean, I don't know how you did it.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I don't either, Like I really I really don't, because
I now understand grief and such a different capacity.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
But I also think that maybe.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
It's what saved me, you know what I mean, because
I had a job every day. It got me out
of the house, it got me, you know, into regular clothes.
I was talking to adults every day, you know, otherwise
it just would have been me and Elvis was one
at the time. So I think that it was Oh
my god, I mean not was. It was like a
(10:25):
life saver. I think God like just threw me a
huge life saver and was like, this is what you're
going to do, and this is what you know, you
get to do every single day.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
And it was so fun.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
I mean I got to meet so many awesome people,
and it was such a great intro into Los Angeles,
into Hollywood, you know, because like you're meeting people like
you meet people on like just a level playing field,
not at some Hollywood party. And so it's so cool
when you get to meet somebody in their sweatpants and
your sweatpants and no makeup on and just be like, oh,
(10:57):
thanks for being on the Talk today. You know, what
are you promoting? And then you know, it just was
so fun. It was such a fun, awesome job. But
also at the same point, it was very hard because
I often would have a horrible morning or a bad
day or a sleepless night, and then you know, you
have to completely change it for the day.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
You know what I mean, And you're showing up to
work every day and you're processing your grief on TV
as you're talking about your own experiences. I would imagine
that the show kind of gave you new language to
reflect on grief.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Yes, oh, I remember.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
One of my first interviews was like Jamie Lee Curtis,
and I was freaking out because I was like, I
have no right to be interviewing Jamie Lee Curtis and
it was over zoom, but still it was like, this
is Jamie Lee Curtis, right, And I was just, you know,
sitting next to Sharon Osbourne and Cheryl Underwood and you're like,
(11:59):
I have no right to be here. Imposter's sisdrome big time.
And it came from my question and she looked at
me and she was like, before you even asked me
my question, she was like, honey, grief is love, and
you know grief is going to take a long time
because you loved your husband for a long time and
you will always love him. And that was even before
(12:20):
I got my question out, and I just started sobbing
because again, you're so raw. But then she was telling
me this beautiful sentiment that you know, stayed with me
of course, and so yeah, it was like unexpected things
like that, you know, where you're just that's a perfect
example of the mixed emotions, like I'm I'm dealing with grief.
Now I'm on live television crying, yes, and so yeah,
(12:43):
it was just a whirlwind.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
So moh, like I can't. Yeah, it's so crazy that
that all happened.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And in the midst of all of it, we've got
to take a quick break. We'll be right back with
more from Amanda Clutes. So when the show came to
a close, how did you balance closing that door while
also figuring out, ooh, what do I get to do
with my time? Now?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (13:08):
I know it was wild, right because it's like, in
a way, it's only a couple hours out of your day,
but then when those hours are gone, you have so
much more free time. I was very much looking forward
to being more part of Elvis's life, you know, taking
him to school and picking him up and volunteering at school.
(13:30):
So that was really fun because I would always miss
those morning hours. And luckily I had already gotten a
job with Netflix doing Tyler Henry's Medium Show, so it
was easier to close that door on the Talk because
I already was doing the Tyler Henry Show, so I
knew that I had something already happening. That's very much
(13:52):
me though, Like I try to always have like twenty
things on the burner so that when one burner goes out,
I still have nineteen going on.
Speaker 2 (14:00):
Yeah we'll come.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Yeah. As freelancers, it's hard not to have a scarcity
mindset and just want to stockpile all the opportunities because
you go through dry spells.
Speaker 3 (14:09):
Oh yeah, And I mean I've been dealing with that
since I was on Broadway, and you know, started working
at eighteen years old, so I am very used to
having a door close, a chapter close, a show close,
and a family exit and then you have to like
start all over again. So I think that that's just
been ingrained in me since I was eighteen, just to like,
(14:31):
this is a big chapter, this Broadway show or the
talk show is closing. But you also teach fitness, and
you also are a mom, and you also write, and
you also produce.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
So you're okay, yes, yes, what I mean. But that's
just being wild crazy lady.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I'm so similar in that I feel like I have
so many different creative ambitions, and sometimes I get in
my own head because I'm like, oh, you're supposed to
niche down and you're supposed to do one thing, and
I just don't know if that's in my DNA. I
don't think we have to. I think we're we're supposed to,
especially as women. A lot of times people will ask
me like, well, what what's the one thing you want
(15:05):
to do? Do you do you like hosting or do
you like you know, acting, or do you want to
do your fitness platform?
Speaker 3 (15:12):
And I'm like, no, what, You're getting it all wrong.
They all make me happy. Yeah, they're all so fun
and I love being challenged in all of them, and
I want to do all of them.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
And so I say, do.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
All of it. Whatever happened to being well rounded? That
was the thing, Yeah, they told us to be whenever
I left high school. I was like, well rounded, be
well rounded.
Speaker 2 (15:32):
Keeping we're well rounded, Keep learning, keep trying, keep doing. Yeah,
I think so well.
Speaker 1 (15:39):
Now you're in a season of creating your own table
and this intersects with your own fitness interests. So I
want to talk about your healthline proper. I was lucky
enough to try some of the supplements when you were
first launching, and they are so good for anybody out
there who doesn't know, this is a rainbow colored line
of supplements that optimize your daily health.
Speaker 3 (15:58):
Yes, we launched with five different superfood powders. And the
reason I chose these five is because I am a busy,
working single mom that sometimes I don't need the same
thing every day, you know what I mean, Like, sometimes
I am not eating my greens and I'm like, gosh,
I really could use a scoop of greens so that
(16:20):
I feel healthier about my diet today. Sometimes I'm getting
sick and worn down, so I need an immunity boost.
Sometimes my digestion is off and I'm feeling bloated, if
it's maybe that time of month, or if I was
just flying. So I created these five different powders so
that you could use them as you need. This is
(16:40):
a beautiful line. The rainbow sits on your counter. It's
inspiring you to want to add that little thing to
make you feel better about your day. I feel like
I spend a lot of money on supplements. I will
go down that hole and buy all of them, especially
(17:01):
at three am in the middle of the night when
I wake up and I can't sleep, and I just
felt like I was so sick of having this like
supplement graveyard I call on my countertop that just stares
at me. And like you're not taking your pill that
you bought and it was one hundred and fifty dollars,
or you're not drinking this greens powder but it tastes terrible,
so I.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Don't want to drink it anymore.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
And so it just was important to me to create
a line that was affordable, accessible, and that was tailored
to what you needed instead of something staring at you,
going you're not doing what you should be.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Doing, and what you've done, I feel like, is condensed
several different wellness habits or supplements into a streamlined, you know,
line of nutrients.
Speaker 3 (17:43):
Yes, yes, yeah, try it can be overwhelming, yeah, I
think so. And again it's like you don't need the
same thing every day, you know what I mean. Like,
sometimes I'm full of anxiety and at three o'clock, I'm
going to take the proper calm and anxieties into some
water and make myself feel better. And then other days
(18:03):
I'm not anxious at all, you know what I mean. Like,
I just think that it's important to stay in tune
to who you are and what you need and tailor
your day, your week, your month to that instead of
taking one thing all the time and then feeling guilty
if you don't take it.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
The calm one that you mentioned is probably my favorite.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
It has elf in it, yes, And it has ashwagandha
in it and magnesium and it's not a sleep aid,
so you really can take it at any time of
the day. Yeah, but I do love taking it at
night after dinner and I just do feel like it
does calm me before I go to bed.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
But our sleep aid is coming. That's that one's coming soon.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
I'm into the brain boosting, like I'll take a little
magic mind if I have to host something.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Yes, and you feel like that really helps you, I do. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:53):
I feel like it like makes my brain sharper because
some of these days my brain is just like so slow.
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
I hear you, I know, I know, and sleep affects
that for me, Like if I don't get a good
night's sleep, I am just yeah, I'm a mess all
day for sure.
Speaker 1 (19:10):
Let's talk about wellness trends at large. I know you're
a wellness trend early. Yes, what is one wellness doing?
So many tell me I want to give me the
whole dammit. What's what are the wellness trends?
Speaker 3 (19:24):
You're so In my defense, I will say that we
live in Los Angeles, and this town just makes wellness
and longevity so accessible. It's like we are even EON's
ahead of New York City in wellness and longevity. It's true,
I think, so it just is at our fingertips. Uh huh.
(19:46):
And then my other thing I will say before I
go into all the crazy things I do, is that
I am a single mom and like, I'm really trying
hard to be like the healthiest person for my kid,
right Like I you know, I'm I'm all that Elvis has.
So I am trying to be as healthy as possible
(20:08):
so that I can stay around for my little boy
as long as possible. Yeah, I would love to be
two hundred years old if I yes, Okay, so what
if I do?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
I'll just list them all and then you can go in.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
I just finished my third round of the full body
MRI scan with Preneuvo. I love that I'm obsessed with
blood work and pretty much get my blood work done,
if not three times twice a year to go through
all of my levels.
Speaker 2 (20:37):
See what more I need? What less I need?
Speaker 1 (20:40):
All of the things, And what are you looking for
when you do that? Is that purely from like a
functional medicine perspective.
Speaker 3 (20:45):
Hormonal hormones, but also like vitamin B twelve. Right now,
I just got my results back in and I'm like,
I need folic acid in my body just everything. Yeah,
it's just so fascinating to learn about your blood. And also,
I mean, your blood tells you about like cancer risks,
(21:05):
disese risks, and like, so I'm obsessed with blood work.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
It's our data.
Speaker 3 (21:10):
Yes, and whenever I'm starting to feel off, I am like,
immediately try to get my blood done and get all
of those red because it's just so cool to learn about.
I do NAD infusions once a month. I do peptide
injections at my own house. I inject them into my body.
(21:32):
I love Sanna and cold plunge. I pretty much do
it three or four times a week, hyperbaric chambers. I
just did some cell infusions and exosomes.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
This is the LA Starter Kit, by the way.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
I mean, I told you it's quite bonkers.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
But what you can't see right now if you're listening,
is that her skin looks incredible. Yay, she's glowing. So
the LA Starter Kit is working.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Listen, it's not cheap either.
Speaker 3 (22:00):
I'm not trying to say that any of this is
necessarily affordable, but I don't buy expensive bags. I don't
buy expensive clothing or shoes or jewelry. I just don't.
I never really have cared about that kind of stuff.
But I love health and wellness, and I would rather
(22:20):
spend or save for you know, the three sauna sessions
a month, then you know, go out and buy, you know,
diamond earrings.
Speaker 1 (22:31):
I see only green flags. I see all green flags.
More from Amanda Clutes. After this short break, we're back
with Amanda Clutes. Well, I would love to pivot to
talk to you about dating Amanda. Oh yeah, can we
talk about dating again? Okay, So you recently kind of
(22:51):
made a public appearance with your new man.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
I did I know? Oh my god, this is so exciting.
How did you meet?
Speaker 3 (23:00):
We met through our mutual friend. Yeah, and so that
was nice. I like, I'm not on dating apps. I
haven't been on one in a very long time, so
it is nice when you meet somebody through a friend.
In my opinion, what'd you do on your first date?
He would say that we played tennis. I would say
(23:22):
that we went out to dinner.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Wait, why why are there different stories.
Speaker 2 (23:26):
Because I met him.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
I met him last September, but I didn't consider that
a date. He did, But I would say that our
first date was when I actually was like, if you
would like to take me out on a date, So
that would have been February and that would have been dinner.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Yeah, okay, I think I agree with you on this one. Yeah.
Is this your first kind of serious relationships since your
husband passed?
Speaker 3 (23:51):
Oh? No, that I've had a couple serious relationships. Yes,
And it's interesting, you know, it's it's hard dated.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
For me.
Speaker 2 (24:02):
It's been hard.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
And the two relationships I had prior were wonderful, but
they each kind of chipped off a new layer of
grief for me that was interesting, like that I hadn't
yet recognized for myself or.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
For Elvis. And so it's been an interesting road. You know,
it's not easy.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Tell me about that process, Like, how did they kind
of take off that new layer of grief for give
you a new lens?
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (24:34):
So well, I'll just say like the second relationship I had,
it was so beautiful, but it was the first time
I integrated Elvis into a relationship, and as beautiful as
that was, I realized like, whoa, this is a whole
new world for me, and it was so great but
(24:59):
also really really hard, and like this weird mama bearness
came out that I didn't think would happen. Like I
got worried that I was losing him and losing our
time together and losing our special.
Speaker 1 (25:13):
Bond because you're such a unit, yes.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
And we've done everything together, you know, I mean as
easy as And I know this probably sounds weird, but
like I've never sat on a couch and watched a
show at night with anyone but Elvis. So like when
the first time I'm sitting on the couch watching a movie,
having Friday night movie night with Elvis and I and
(25:37):
then a new person. Yeah, and it wasn't Nick. It
was like a whoa, like you know what I mean,
Like even so silly that it's that simple, but it
was like that threw me into like a grief spiral
for like three days. So it's just you know, weird
hard things like that that are like I try to
(26:00):
communicate because it's important to communicate, especially if you're dating
a widow or a widower, but like god, like it's
just so hard.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Well it's one thing to think about that situation in
the abstract like oh yeah, i'll date someone, I'll bring
someone into our fold. But then to see all the
bodies in the room together, yeah, you know, and life
really not looking the way that you ever imagined that
it would. I'm sure that's that really hits you hard.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
It's so weird. It's so hard.
Speaker 3 (26:30):
Even like trick or treating, I was like whoa, Like
it's not Elvis and I anymore. Yeah, no, it's like
those three of us again. It brought out this weird,
primal like almost this feeling of like.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
You can't take my son.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
And then I'd be like, Amanda, that's not happening. Like
I was constantly battling myself being like, calmed down, that's
not what's happening.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
This is beautiful. Oh right, this is beautiful.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
I'm not a lie anymore in this fight, Like this
is so lovely, like just breathe. But then it would
be like ah, that protector would come back in and
it's like just wild the things that your brain and
your heart and everything goes through when you're trying to
try again.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
So it's been it's been a journey. What's been the
best part about falling in love again.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
Oh, just I think feeling like you have a partner
in life again. I love having a partner, And I
think I've gotten so independent. I'm independent anyways in relationships,
Like I I think it's just you know, moving to
New York at eighteen years old and just having to
(27:44):
like become an adult very early on. Like I'm just
an independent person. But I love being in a relationship.
I love having someone else there and being you know,
with us like that's it feels great.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
I heard that you said, Nick, your late husband gave
you his blessing through medium readings.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Yeah that sounds crazy, right, No, nothing is so crazy.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
How did you discover that?
Speaker 3 (28:13):
Well, first of all, I think if Nick could have
talked when he passed, I know for certain, he would
have said to me, you know, please find love again,
you know, don't stop loving, you know, try to find
happiness again.
Speaker 2 (28:28):
I know he would have.
Speaker 3 (28:29):
I would have said the same thing to him if
our tables were turned. So I never that is one
thing I never felt guilty about. And I know a
lot of widows and widowers deal with that guilt, but
I never had that. But yeah, there's been a lot
of medium readings where Nick has come through saying there's
somebody coming. I promise you already know him. It's just
(28:52):
the timing is off. And that sentence you already know
him is just the timing is off or the timing
isn't right, Like three different mediums said that to me.
Speaker 1 (29:01):
That's so specific.
Speaker 3 (29:03):
Yeah, yeah, I know, and he I mean, he would
also say things like I know you're lonely. I know
it's hard. I promise you someone's coming, so like, and
I know those are very for skeptics out there, those
are very general things, but I don't know. I think
(29:24):
grief is so hard that anything you can find to
give you comfort or help in that healing process has
always helped me. And anytime I've seen a medium and
I've been feeling lost or lonely and that message comes through,
I'm always like, Okay, I can keep going, i can
keep trying, I can keep believing. And you know, I've
(29:46):
always felt like he's watching over us and making sure
that only the best person will enter our lives.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
So that guidance that you already know him and he's coming. Yeah.
Was there a moment in your current relationship where you
realize that Nick was sending you that message about this person.
Speaker 2 (30:07):
I mean it could it could be. I mean there be,
could be. I don't want to put.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Too much pressure on my current relationship, but there was
there was a night that I that I was like
screaming to the sky and asking Nick to send me
someone already, like it's just been too long, and like
(30:35):
where is like this person for myself, for my life,
in Elvis's life. And then the next date was our
official first date, or the next day was our official
first date. So like whoa, I mean, like I love
doing this kind of stuff, like I will find a
connection in like, well that is a purple and I
love purple and Nick liked purple. I mean, I can
(30:58):
do this all day. So right now, oh, it's just
go at the flow. And I think, you know, our
whole thing right now is just like communication and just
finding our new language because it's tough and I and
I think it's it's probably tough dating a widow, Like
it's a lot to take on.
Speaker 1 (31:19):
I would think, is there anything that you wish you
could tell a younger version of yourself about what it's
like to jump back in after loss or heartbreak? Any
piece of advice.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Yeah, I would just say, and then, you know, have
anyone else take this advice. Each date or each relationship
has really taught me a lot about myself and what
I need and what I want in this next chapter
(31:52):
of my life.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
I didn't date a lot before Nick.
Speaker 3 (31:56):
I was married before Nick for seven years, and even
before that first marriage barely dated. I was doing Broadway
and you know, just very kind of leading Amanda life.
So it was really kind of like at forty when
I started dating for the first time. So I think
that the advice I would give myself is just like
(32:16):
allow yourself time and just try on all the different suits,
because you don't You're in a new chapter of your
life right now, and you need to learn. And I
have learned what I need, who I am, and what
Elvis and I need, and I think that that's, you know,
important to know. I think there's that pressure too when
(32:38):
you're in your forties. It's like, well, I have to
you know, am I going to marry this person?
Speaker 1 (32:42):
No?
Speaker 3 (32:43):
I mean maybe you know what I mean, but like
you don't have to know that right away.
Speaker 1 (32:47):
What if it's just about the connection or the chemistry
or yes.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
Or just five fun dates. Yes that you feel like
you're twenty again laughing, yes, laughter, totally. You know, Oh
he wants to take you on a trip?
Speaker 1 (33:01):
Go, yes, go?
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Why not?
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Like as Nick would say, live your life. And so
I try to embrace that because I can get very
like in my head, you know, know, this has to
mean something or what does this mean? And so I
try to allow myself that freedom.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
It's hard out here being a girl who searches for meaning.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
And it's hard. Yeah, it is. It's hard.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
I don't I don't wish dating in your forties on anyone.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
It is not easy.
Speaker 1 (33:31):
What era is Amanda Clutes in now?
Speaker 2 (33:33):
Oh that's a good question. I don't know if I'm
in a new era yet.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
I feel like I'm in between eras at a moment,
like I'm I And that's been kind of frustrating because
I don't like feeling ambiguous or lost. It's just I
like having a goal and a dream and something that
I'm like really focused on working on. But I've also
like so funny because like I literally said this to
my therapist yesterday, like I feel a little lost right now,
(34:00):
but like that's maybe that's okay, you know, what I mean, Like,
we can't always feel like we have like one hundred
percent purpose. So I feel like summer's a great time
to feel lost. Yes, And I have Elvis, and I
have some like fun vacations coming up, and so I
(34:21):
don't know if I have a new era at the moment.
I hope it comes soon though, because I don't like
to feel lost for too long. But I'm also just well,
maybe my new era right now is feeling lost.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I don't know, the lost era, just allowing myself to
kind of have fun and just enjoy.
Speaker 1 (34:36):
Kind of like the sound of that maniclutes in her lost.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Lost Earah, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (34:41):
Yeah, I relate to.
Speaker 3 (34:43):
That, though.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
I feel a little bit lost right now, to be honest,
I think sometimes like if you have a certain idea
of how your year is going to go and then
it doesn't go that way, you can start to feel
a bit untethered. Yeah, but I also agree with you,
like not totally mad at it. The feeling of being
lost also, I think comes with like a relief of
(35:06):
pressure off of yourself, yes, and just allowing giving yourself
permission to be like, yeah, I'm figuring it out right now.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
Totally.
Speaker 3 (35:13):
And I posted this thing on Instagram the other day
about how we if we're lucky, we only get seventy
five summers. Yeah, and it made me reframe this summer.
Speaker 2 (35:23):
Yeah, like, just enjoy that.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Enjoy this time you have with Elvis at six years
old where he's not trying to run off with his friends,
and enjoy that you have your freedom and you can
do whatever you want and that you're not restricted to
even though I'm dating somebody, like I can still be like,
you know what, Elvis, we're going away for the weekend.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Yeah, We're going to go to Italy or is so
you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (35:48):
Like, so I think it just yeah, like I think
we have to embrace our lost feelings as much as possible.
Speaker 2 (35:55):
It's hard, but one.
Speaker 1 (35:57):
Time for the lost girls, the lost girls, lost girls,
we're figuring out.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
We're figuring it out. It's okay. We go through these times, right.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
We do. Yeah, Amanda, thank you so much, so great
to catch up with you with you. I love you.
I love you too. Amanda Klutes is the founder of
Proper Health and the moderator on Live from the Other
Side with Tyler Henry on Netflix. The bright Side is
(36:27):
a production of Hello Sunshine and iHeart Podcasts and is
executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and me Simone Voice. Production
is by A Cast Creative Studios. Our producers are Taylor Williamson,
Adrian Baine, Abby Delk, and Darby Masters. Our production assistant
is Joya putnoy A Casts Executive producers are Jenny Kaplan
(36:47):
and Emily Rudder. Maureen Polo and Reese Witherspoon are the
executive producers for Hello Sunshine. Ali Perry and Lauren Hansen
are the executive producers for iHeart Podcasts. Tim Pallazola is
our showrunner. Our theme song is by Anna Stunk and
Hamilton Lakehouser
Host
Simone Boyce
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