Jessica Beard Q&A

Athletes are still keeping busy but finding time to answer a few questions for us to help their fans get to know them better. This is our eighth installment with 4x400m relay world champion, Jessica Beard.
 
USATF: What is your favorite competition memory so far? 
Beard: My favorite competition memory is from this past world championships in Doha when we broke the world record in the mixed 4x4. It was my first time running the mixed relay and our goal was to qualify and we exceeded that expectation with a world record. 
 
USATF: What’s something you’re passionate about outside of your sport?
Beard: Outside of my sport, I’m passionate about helping high school student-athletes excel with the all-around athlete model—having an identity that supersedes just sports. I am passionate about helping student athletes build a bridge that will help them achieve greatness in and beyond sport. One day I will be a high school athletic director where I can be hands on with that population of young adults.
 
USATF: What is your favorite recipe?
Beard: My favorite recipe is stuffed shells! It is my most requested dish and I often make it if I’m cooking for guests for the first time! It’s a jumbo shell stuffed with chicken breast, potatoes, and spinach with a homemade cream sauce!
 
USATF: How do you adjust your eating habits when you're on the road so much?
Beard: I pack snacks! Most of my friends and family that know me know that I always have a bar, pouchable apple sauce, a sandwich, and maybe even a full meal in tupperware. I stay prepared because I find myself hungry at different phases of traveling.
 
USATF: Who is your celebrity crush?
Beard: Michael B. Jordan
 
USATF: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Beard: As a kid, I wanted to be a NCAA national champion in basketball. I wanted to go to UConn because of Diana Taurasi. I also wanted to be a dentist but realized the workload along with training in college was too strenuous for such a procrastinator.