Meet The Woman Making It Cool To Be “Bad” (And Why That Matters For Your Energy)
Welcome back to my interview series, where I sit down with inspiring women who are living big, vibrant lives—and aren’t afraid to play, experiment, or make a glorious mess while they grow. Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to someone who embodies that spirit at every turn: Amanda Kao, founder and CEO of The Bad Academy.
If you haven’t heard of The Bad Academy yet, imagine a world where being terrible at something new isn’t embarrassing—it’s celebrated. Where learning how to fix your bike, understand your finances, or try skateboarding for the very first time becomes an act of self-trust, self-advocacy, and pure joy. That’s the world Amanda has built. Since launching in 2019, she’s produced over 300 workshops and events (in collab with the likes of Lululemon, Arc'teryx, and the TED Conference in Vancouver and online) rooted in the idea that women deserve spaces to learn, try, fail, laugh, and keep going.
Amanda and I connect on our love of breakfast and so much more. Her mission—to help women become more self-sufficient, confident, and free—runs parallel to everything I believe about food, energy, and how we take care of ourselves. We both want women to feel powerful in their bodies and lives, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re curious and courageous enough to try. And there’s nothing more energizing than that. Because when women learn together, cheer each other on, and share the wins and the wobbles, so much in your world can shift. Community becomes the catalyst.
Research shows that people with strong social connections live significantly longer: in a landmark meta-analysis of over 300,000 individuals, people with strong social ties had a significantly higher chance of living longer—about 50% higher, according to the researchers. Other studies show that good social support helps buffer stress, support mental health, and even slows biological aging by lowering inflammation and influencing molecular “aging clocks.” To me, that makes belonging and community among the essential foundations of wellness. Just as vital as nourishing food or restful sleep. And that’s exactly the kind of magic Amanda is building.
I’m excited to share a glimpse into Amanda’s world—and her favourite recipe, of course!
Tell us a little about your life before Bad Academy. Was there a gap you saw in either your community or your life that you felt inspired to fill?
Bad Academy was definitely a result of something missing in my life. I moved to Vancouver by way of New York in 2014 and promptly looked for a community and friends to join! It was difficult to find, so I began taking workshops to hopefully get my feet wet! After taking many workshops like weaving, wreath making, embroidery, etc., I realized I really wanted to learn more practical skills, and specifically I wanted to learn from women. Thus, Bad Academy was born!
What would you like everyone to know about your mission with Bad Academy?
It's best to explain our mission through our name. Not only is it “Bad(ass)” to try and do things, but it's also okay to be “Bad” at things! We have a lot of shame around learning as women, and we're on a mission to call attention to that vulnerability and be bad at things together.
What do you believe is important about life-long learning?
Through our programming, I hope to instill a behaviour within women to try and do/learn things because they are very capable, but getting started is always the hardest and scariest part! Once that behaviour is ingrained in you, learning and doing is so much easier. Armed with more knowledge and courage, my hope is that women will become more self-sufficient and confident.
What's the secret to a good group gathering?
Comfort. As a society, we often discount the importance of setting the mood! Lighting, temperature, seating! If the ambiance is calm, people will be calm, feel relaxed, and more likely to be themselves. In the very least, a friendly person to greet you at the door to receive you and being surrounded by people like you is always a comfort.
What have been the most memorable workshops/events you've created and why?
That's such a difficult question! I love all our workshops for their own special reasons, but I suppose one of my favourites was Skateboarding 101. We partnered up with a bunch of local skate crews and we have 60 women on boards in Strathcona Park, falling off, and laughing at themselves. I remember looking out at the scene and just feeling an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness. I love seeing women have fun—just pure joy and play. It's the BEST.
Do you have any advice for people that are feeling isolated in their busy schedules and want to create more community interaction?
Well, firstly, you're not alone in how you feel! We hear a lot about the male loneliness epidemic, but honestly, it's insidious for women as well. Ironically, I am not immune to this feeling! In my experience, the key is consistency and scheduling. You must prioritize scheduling a regular time be it weekly or monthly. Join a local art class! Group fitness! Create a book club and do it regardless of how many people show up. Community only happens with consistency, support, and letting go of perfection.
How do you make this happen for yourself, outside of the ones you organize?
Like I said, schedule it! I was struggling earlier this year with this very subject. Turns out organizing community events is not the same thing as attending them. I always wanted to dedicate time to my neglected hobby of painting so I looked up a local studio and now I am committed to going every week because it's in my schedule.
What gives you energy?
1. Community (duh) 2. Exercising (I love climbing!) 3. Laughing/comedy
Go-to snack when you're feeling that afternoon slump?
I always have a huge breakfast (do I get bonus points, Elisa?!) and in the afternoon I just need something small to keep me going! I'm usually in the middle of a million emails and calls, so it has to be fast and easy. It's usually veggies, hummus, fruit, and Lara bars.
Always in your fridge?
Garlic chili oil sauce, oat milk, kimchi, and eggs.
Fave recipe that you make at home when you need a good boost of nourishment?
If I could write a love letter to savoury oatmeal, it would be at least 10 pages long. Use bone broth or any kind of stock to make oatmeal, add a couple soft-boiled eggs, protein of choice (smoked tofu is so easy and yummy), something green like spinach or kale, and top with chili oil, sesame, and hemp seeds! So filling, so satisfying, easy and healthy!
Visit thebadacadamy.com to learn more about their events and programming (including a workshop taught by me!).