Q&A: Olympic Gold Medalist (and Mom) Amanda Beard
By Chanel Parks
Amanda Beard swam into the spotlight at age 14 in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Since then, she's overcome serious battles, from drug addiction to self-mutilation, to become one of the country's most successful athletes, a spokesperson for swimming-gear brand Aqua Sphere and a positive role model to her two-year-old son, Blaise. In between training for trials for the 2012 Olympics, Amanda caught up with WomansDay.com to discuss how her determination and her own mother influenced her to become the mom she is today. Photo courtesy of Aqua Sphere
How did your mom motivate you as an athlete?
She always encouraged me through her support. She regularly attended my meets and competitions, and knowing that she was there gave me the extra motivation I needed to try my best every time. I mirror how my mom motivated me with my son, Blaise, so he believes he can do anything he puts his mind to.
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What words of wisdom did your mom like to share with you?
My mom always made me push a little more; she helped me learn to test my limits. Knowing that she believed I could "get through this" were exactly the words of wisdom I needed to finish the tough training days and competitions.
Being in the public eye and under pressure at such a young age took its toll on you. How did you lift yourself back up?
My family has always been my backbone. My mom and dad always supported me, and my sisters always cheered for me. My husband, Sacha, had a big influence on lifting me back up after my struggles, too. We met at just the right time, and he truly believed in me and accepted all of my flaws without question. He's my other half who saw everything I was and still loved and supported me, which has helped me better cope with the pressures in and out of the pool.
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How has having a child changed your life?
My son has made me see everything differently. Having him altered my perspective on life in general, in addition to my attitude about swimming. Before I became a mom, I stressed out about the little things, but now Blaise occupies every free second I have! He's taught me what really matters-I'm more focused on important things now.
How do you keep your son healthy?
As a family we stay active and are always up for trying new things. Blaise comes in the pool with me; he even takes swim classes of his own now! We're an outdoorsy bunch, so we do a lot of fun activities outside whenever we can. I also make sure my husband and I set a good example for Blaise by eating nutritious foods. This way, he'll learn how to lead his own healthy lifestyle.
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How do you motivate Blaise when he's feeling down?
I lead by example and enjoy life to the fullest. I think we should learn from every situation, and I'm trying to teach Blaise that. And I let him know that no matter what, I'm proud of him. Luckily, Blaise is a happy kid 99% of the time!
Do you want your son to play sports?
Sure! I believe that sports have such a positive effect on kids' well-being. More importantly, I want Blaise to do what makes him happy. Of course, I would love him to enjoy swimming, but at the end of the day, it's up to him.
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Have you ever made a mistake with Blaise that you've learned from?
Who hasn't? Being a mother is a balancing act that we are all still trying to master. Every day I learn from another experience. It helps me teach and love him more. I have found that by following my dreams, I'm a better mom at the end of the day.
In your blog, Swim Like a Mom, you talk about your journey to London and the importance of balance and love. How do you balance family with career as you prepare for the Olympics?
The journey to the London Olympics has been unlike previous years-being a wife and mom this time around has forced me to push myself in new ways to grow and improve. I'm always keeping the big picture in mind and trying to find the perfect balance between swimming and family life. The great thing is that after all these years, I still really love swimming, so it makes training enjoyable. Ultimately, that balance and happiness I feel with my family follows me into the pool.
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Tell us about Aqua Sphere.
Aqua Sphere allows me to chase my dreams (literally!). Without their products, I wouldn't be able to swim as well or as fast because I'd spend more time worrying about the fit and comfort of my equipment. Aqua Sphere gear is so comfortable and well-fitting that I don't have to worry about the goggles slipping or fogging up or that my Lima swimsuit will become uncomfortable after spending hours in the pool.
Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.
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