Almost religiously, I step away from everything and close my eyes and breathe deeply for a few moments. It helps solidify my focus and aligns everything in my body to take care of the task at hand - which is… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
Some people like to focus on other aspects of my life, but first and foremost I am a dedicated and top swimmer. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
Life is all about balance: sprinting hard and fast, breathing deep and slow. Working out with my coaches, playing with my kids. Eating whole… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
I'm a firm believer in slowing down to improve my state of mind when I'm training, and yoga and meditation have been paramount to… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
Like anyone, I stress and get hard on myself from time to time, but it's minute compared to the pressure I used to put… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
The swimming community is really conservative. I don't know why, because we're in no clothing whatsoever. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
I concentrate on preparing to swim my race and let the other swimmers think about me, not me about them. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
Obviously, the competitor in you, you want to be in the top three every time in the pool. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
“The more I added to my schedule, cleaning regimen, or athletic training, the less I felt. My coping mechanism won most people's approval. Adults… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
I'd go to swim practice, put my face in the water, and I didn't have to talk to anybody. Swimming was like my escape,… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
People wanted to be friends with me for not the right reasons. They'd introduce me to somebody else as the Olympian or the swimmer.… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
I don't underestimate the power of mental preparation throughout all of my training. I'm in a much better state of mind about competition. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
To look good in the water you have to pick the right swimsuit. I own close to 500. — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
When people say that kids change your life, it's no small feat what they do. I've stressed about competition my whole life, but the… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
Breaking composure, confidence, and speed in the water makes you lose the race, not the goggles that fell off your head when you dove… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
I protect my skin with sunscreen and am religious about keeping my face moisturized and properly protected all day, so I also use a… — Amanda Beard Copy Share Image
