Amanda Beard, four time Olympian, seven time medalist, and mom. In her book, In The Water They Can't See You Cry, the swimmer explains about her time as a swimmer, being a 14 year old and competing in the Olympic Games, and struggle with self confidence. Beard has been seen in many magazines in skimpy bathing suits. In the photo below she talks about one of her photo shoots for a magazine.
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Beard's tone throughout this book was saddened. Through her teenage years and twenties she became self-destructive. She told stories of her pride in her sport and how she didn't feel worthy of the success she had earned. The sport she loved somehow turned her against herself. Even though through her childhood she wanted nothing more than to be in the water. Every single day she would be in the water, whether is was working on technique or an intense game of sharks versus minnows. Fighting clinical depression and being in the spotlight of women athletes, then finding true happiness in her sisters, parents, husband, and her son; who she calls her proudest accomplishments.
Myself, being a swimmer, seeing Beard train for the most recent Olympics and how she is so graceful with every stroke, would never tell how broken up of a person she was. Which brings me to the question, will we be seeing the famous Amanda Beard at the next Olympic Trials?
All in all, this book was very well written and I would recommend to anyone looking for a good read! I give this book 5 out of 5 gold medals!
