Amanda Mallonee and her twin, Mimi Mallonee-Benton, lead separate professional lives but, as twins, their stories remain deeply intertwined.
By Lana Pierce
Twins often share a bond that runs deeper than words, and sisters Amanda Mallonee and Mimi Mallonee-Benton are no exception. Though their careers have taken them in very different directions, their stories reflect the same thread of discipline, passion, and service.
Amanda Mallonee has built her life around two callings: fitness and animal care. A NASM-certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness instructor, she has inspired many clients with her dedication to health and wellness. Beyond the gym, Amanda works at Temperance Hill Animal Hospital, where her compassion for animals shines just as strongly as her drive to help people. Whether guiding someone through a challenging workout or tending to a four-legged patient, Amanda embodies her personal motto of “joy and purpose.”
Her twin sister, Mimi Mallonee-Benton, took a different but equally inspiring path. Growing up in California with a passion for horses, Mimi transformed that childhood love into a professional career in dressage. Over the years, she has trained horses with a patient, skilled hand, eventually earning United States Dressage Foundation (USDF) bronze, silver, and gold medals—a rare trifecta that highlights her standing in the sport. She is soon to be a USDF instructor/trainer certified.
In 2023, she reached a pinnacle moment by achieving her Gold Medal aboard a horse she had trained from the ground up. Mimi’s journey has not been without challenges, and her community has recently rallied around her during a medical recovery, a testament to the impact she has made both inside and outside the riding arena.
Together, the Mallonee sisters demonstrate how determination and heart can shape very different callings. “Coming from a Christian home, we could not have the lives and blessings we have without God! We give God the glory! We both have overcome adversity and tragedy by the grace of God!”
Amanda and Mimi may walk separate professional paths—one in fitness and healing, the other in discipline and artistry of dressage—but as twins, their stories remain deeply intertwined.
Lana Pierce is an author and 19-year veteran of the NLR Fire Department who lives in Hot Springs and owns RetroFit.
