Determination and perseverance best personify Amanda Borden. After years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to her sport of gymnastics, Amanda could have easily followed a different path after nearly missing the 1992 Olympic team. However, Amanda persevered and believed in herself and along her journey to Olympic gold she became a three time World Championship team member, a Pan-American double gold medalist, a six time national team member, and the 1995 USAG Sportswoman of the Year.
Amanda has now parlayed her determination and work ethics into a new role. In May 2004 she opened Amanda Borden's Gold Medal Gymnastics Academy in Tempe, Arizona. She is excited to share her knowledge and the love of her sport at her new gym. A 2003 Arizona State University summa cum laude graduate in early education, Amanda not only has gymnastics knowledge but also an extensive knowledge base of the developmental stages of children. Amanda has continued to develop her broadcasting skills by commentating gymnastics and cheerleading for CBS, Fox Sport, Turner Broadcasting, and ESPN.
Amanda also enjoys motivational speaking to young and old and is honored to be considered a role model. Having to overcome injuries and being an elite athlete while being in the public eye most of her young life, Amanda is well prepared and excited to be an example for anyone young or old, male or female who has a dream and goes for it! Amanda has been active in Special Olympics, Duchene's Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy, USAG's Athletes Advisory Council and a board member for the recent 2012 Olympic endeavor for Cincinnati. She was honored in 2000 as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Cincinnatians" by the Cincinnati branch of the Jaycees and their nominee and a runner up for the national "Ten Outstanding Young Americans." In 2003 Amanda received the Pop Warner Female Achievement Award.