April 9, 2012
In this bold and candid memoir, Beard details her sudden rise to Olympic fame, its huge toll, and how she reclaimed her life. Beard swam in the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta; she was 14-years-old. She won a gold and two silvers, and would go on to swim in the subsequent three Summer Olympics in Sydney, Athens, and Beijing, medaling in each save the last. She was a smart, talented, athletic overachiever, but behind the scenes, her life spiraled out of control. A self-described late bloomer, Beard was wracked with insecurity as puberty ushered on the pounds, and the limelight broadcast the changes. She recalls finding newspaper clippings her father had hidden in which "sportswriters called me fat, washed-up, and finished," though she was only 15 at the time. Nevertheless, she continued swimming, going on to join the University of Arizona swim team, where she met fellow Olympic swimmer Ryk Neethling. The two were soon became a couple, but the constant fighting and stress of competition led Beard to anorexia and cutting herself. In 2001, she went pro and signed a four-year contract with Speedo, and things started to look up. But when Beard accidentally cut herself too deeply one day, she finally relented and sought help. Now a healthy wife and mother, Beard still swims professionally. Her remarkable story, courageous resilience, and honest self-assessment make this an inspiring read.