Every Saturday morning, Ellen McNamara features an amateur athlete from the area

TAMPA - Every Saturday, Ellen McNamara features an amateur athlete, or athletes from the area. The athlete does not have to be a superstar, just someone that gets out and works hard.

This week, two moms that do unconventional things to burn calories are being honored.

Flipping tires is just one unconventional way Amy Cazin and Danielle McClendon stay in shape.

Both moms say exercise is like therapy.

"Exercise has always been an essential part of my life," McClendon said. "It's like my Prozac. "I definitely think it relieves a ton of stress."

Cazin has run a number of marathons, but says Cross Fit has taken her fitness to a new level.

The women work out in a parking lot, in the gym, they will run, jump rope, and even swing around a sledgehammer.

The moms also include their kids.

"We do some of this at home, it definitely got them excited about fitness and working out," McClendon said.

Though McClendon tapped into Cross Fit a little later in life, she and Cazin say they are proud to be athletes.

"I wish I had tapped into this a little bit earlier in my life," McClendon said. "I have been called an athlete in recent years and it's a label I accept."

To let Ellen know about an athlete you want to see featured, email her at ellen@abcactionnews.com or go to her Facebook page and click like.