Amanda Beard

Amanda Beard is a former competitive swimmer who, at the age of 14, made her first appearance in the Olympic Games in 1996. She walked away as the second youngest swimmer in history to medal with one gold and two silvers. Over the course of twelve years, she participated in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics, accumulating a total of seven Olympic medals (two gold, four silver, and one bronze). Beard was the recipient of eight USA Swimming National Titles and held the FINA World Record and World Champion title for the 200-meter breaststroke. She served as the USA Olympic Swimming Team Captain twice and made significant contributions to sports history.

Beard's accomplishments extended beyond the Olympics. She won a total of twenty-one medals in major international competitions, including the World Championships, Pan Pacific Championships, and Summer Universiade. She also excelled in her academic life, attending the University of Arizona, where she won an individual NCAA Division I championship in 2001. Notably, in 2004, Beard broke the world record in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Although she retired from competitive swimming in 2012, Beard continues to be involved in various endeavors. Her celebrity status has enabled her to enjoy success as a brand representative and nonprofit advisor. She has made appearances in multiple print and television media outlets worldwide, including modeling work for FHM, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and Playboy magazine. She also participated in activities such as the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Celebrity car race in 2006 and made a television commercial for GoDaddy featuring her Olympic medals. Moreover, Beard became a correspondent for Fox Network's sports talk program, "The Best Damn Sports Show Period," and became a spokeswoman for Defenders of Wildlife.

In 2012, Beard co-authored the New York Times Bestseller "In the Water They Can't See You Cry." This autobiography allowed her to share aspects of her life previously kept private, including her struggles with body dysmorphia disorder, self-mutilation, depression, drug use, and dyslexia. Additionally, Beard is a vegetarian and uses her platform to speak out on issues she is passionate about, such as participating in anti-fur campaigns for PETA.

Beard's entrepreneurial ventures include being a Co-Founder of Beard Swim Co., a learn-to-swim program that aims to keep children water safe. This mission is particularly close to Beard's heart since having children of her own with her husband, photographer Sacha Brown. They have a son named Blaise and a daughter named Doone.