We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Bradley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think taking risks is vital in this industry! When I was 21 I decided to move from upstate NY to Los Angeles to pursue stunts. At the time I didn’t necessarily see it as a risk but just a step I needed to take. I didn’t have much money saved up, and I didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles, let alone in the industry. My friends and family shared with me how “crazy” it was for me to do and warned me what might happen when I didn’t succeed. Many people told me that I needed a backup plan and I always hated that. I never once considered any possibility of a backup plan because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. If I hadn’t taken that risk, and many other risks I wouldn’t be where I am today!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Stunt driving requires passion like any other competitive discipline. How else would you justify spending all of your time and money on prepping cars and fixing them, in order to drive them, to get the seat time that you need in order to become a skilled driver. I currently have ten cars that I use to train stunt driving. You never know what you are going to be asked to drive on set, so it is very important to train in different types of vehicles to be the most prepared. I believe my passion for the art of stunt driving sets me apart from others. It is also important to have an understanding of vehicle mechanics, so I am always learning how they work and how to work on them. We commonly need to replace radiators, intake manifolds, water and power steering pumps, suspension components etc.
Although it might sound like a lot of work, it has been extremely enjoyable for me. A common struggle that I deal with is wanting to learn faster when stunt driving takes time and experience. I typically find that I don’t have enough time to do all the things that I enjoy with cars. On the flip side, I am never bored. I’ve learned to be patient and more importantly learned from my mistakes. They propel me in a direction to improve and expand my abilities. Which typically ends in me buying another car for a different practice. I have cars that are meant to slide, meant to grip, and meant to be driven off road. I even have a car that I train driving on two wheels with!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First and foremost I would take them to a Dynamic Stunts stunt driving training day at Atlanta Motor Speedway! This is where we have the most fun setting up courses and challenges that will help us become better performers on movie sets. We have one every week and you will find me there every single day that I am not working on a commercial, movie or tv show. I also wouldn’t miss the opportunity to bring them to a Drift event at Caffeine and Octane Lanier raceway. I would take them for a ride in my drift car and we would have a great time! One of my favorite restaurants is Bartaco so I’m sure we would hit that as well. I also really enjoy the belt line and surrounding areas. After tacos we would get drinks at New Realm Brewing on the rooftop overlooking the belt line.

 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I agree with this SO much!!! We wouldn’t get anywhere without the help of so many people in our lives. While there are literally hundreds of people that helped me get where I am today, there is one very important person that I have to thank and will spend the rest of my life showing my appreciation for. His name is Kevin Waterman. He taught me stunt driving from the ground up. Not only has he shared with me tips and tricks, but he has provided a place to train stunt driving to the stunt community. He is incredibly supportive of my goals that many people think are outrageous, and he has helped me build my career into what it is today. I am forever grateful for everything he has done for me. Oh yeah, he is also my boyfriend now, lucky me!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whats_her_nuts/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/-mn3d33zrQM?si=om8nOfTANGeCZtmm 

Other: The youtube link is my stunt driving reel, but I don’t necessarily want to highlight my whole channel.

Image Credits
Maria Nezhurko

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