In the Water They Can't See You Cry

A Memoir

De: Amanda Beard, Rebecca Paley

Narrado por: Tavia Gilbert

At the tender age of 14, Amanda Beard walked onto the pool deck at the Atlanta Olympics carrying her teddy bear, Harold, and left with two silvers and a gold medal. She competed in three more Olympic games, winning a total of seven medals, and enjoyed a lucrative modeling career on the side. At one point, she was the most downloaded female athlete on the Internet. Yet despite her astonishing career and sex-symbol status, Amanda felt unworthy of all her success. Unaware that she was suffering from clinical depression, she hid the pain beneath a megawatt smile. With no other outlet for her feelings besides the pool, Amanda expressed her emotions through self-destructive behavior. In her late teens and 20s, she became bulimic, abused drugs and alcohol, and started cutting herself. Her low self-esteem led to toxic relationships with high-profile men in the sports world. No one, not even her own parents and friends, knew about the turmoil she was going through. Only when she met her future husband, who discovered her cutting herself, did Amanda realize she needed help.

Through her renewed faith in herself; the love of her family; and finally the birth of her baby boy, Blaise, Amanda has transformed her life. In this book, she speaks frankly about her struggles with depression, the pressures to be thin, and the unhealthy relationships she confused for love. In the Water They Can't See You Cry is a raw, compelling story of a woman who gained the strength to live as bravely out of the water as she did in it.

©2012 Amanda Beard (P)2012 Tantor

Inspirational

This was a great book. It gave a glimpse into the life of a top competitive athlete both physically and emotionally. I, too, have struggled with similar thoughts on body issues. True passion and love will lead to success and happiness in the end.

Great book

Being a swimmer, I remember Amanda Beard well but I had no idea all that she’s gone through in her life. This was a very inspirational book.

Great Insight into Olympics!

Would you listen to In the Water They Can't See You Cry again? Why?

I would listen again to hear any parts I missed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Amanda is a rock star. Very raw and honest.

What does Tavia Gilbert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She provides the emotions to really experience the characters in the book

Good Story. Don't give up!

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, it was pretty entertaining and I enjoyed the whole story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Water They Can't See You Cry?

I liked how "normal girl" she wanted to be and that swimming has always been fun to her even if there is a lot of pressure put on her throughout the years.

Did In the Water They Can't See You Cry inspire you to do anything?

Makes me want to swim again. I like the fact that she still competes and is a pro even as a mom. I am only a couple years younger than her and a mom too and haven't swam in a long time. She has inspired me to want to get a gym membership sometime and to swim regularly even though I am not the size I once was when I used to swim.

Any additional comments?

I think listening to her relationships stories before meeting her husband was so sad and painful. The fact that she stuck in her first relationships for so long and didn't try to get out of that hurt me to listen to. I did however love that even though she had some family issues, her family were always there supporting her together regardless of the divorce of her parents. I think that is rare, but I did feel sad for her not really knowing reasons. I can't wait to see her swim in a couple of weeks at the Olympics in Rio!!!!!! I have been watching her since her first Olympics!

An Honest and Interesting Memoir

It was a little difficult to get past the narration of this book to get to the heart of the story... E.g. "breaststroke" is one word. When you split it up into two and enunciate, it not only sounds wrong, but creepy. And a South African accent is not the same as an Australian accent. The narrator disconnected from what she was reading.

Amanda Beard had an amazing competitive swimming career that spanned 4 Olympics. Her honest story about the struggles that she went through truly go to show that achieving the dreams that you set for yourself does not make you immune to any of the hardships and tragedies that life can bring. She also demonstrates how the "simple pleasures" can bring the most joy. That said, I felt like the writing was not quite as vulnerable as it could have been. Overall, however, a good read.