NEW YORK, NY Amanda Burrill graduated from Hampden Academy in 1998 and went to Boston University on a full Naval ROTC Scholarship. After eight years of military service, she obtained a French culinary degree, a wine, fortified wine and spirits certification in Paris, and received her master's degree at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Post-military, she followed a surprising path that has led to a life of travel and adventure. She writes about food, fitness, travel, lifestyle and military affairs. She is the fitness tech editor at Iron Man Magazine, Lifestyle columnist for Task and Purpose and has a Travel Channel web series that just filmed its second season.

Burrill, a former track and field MVP at Hampden Academy, came back from several serious surgeries, to include foot and hip, to run more marathons and triathlons and become a fitness model, in addition to her other endeavors. She has also just signed her first book contract.