Ambassadors - TrueSport

The TrueSport Athlete Ambassador team is a combination of Olympic, Paralympic, Team USA, and professional athletes who live and practice the values of TrueSport. These incredible role models inspire the next generation of young athletes by sharing their personal journeys in sport through the lens of the TrueSport values. Each Ambassador encourages young athletes to practice good sportsmanship, engage in clean & healthy performance, and develop life skills & character through sport.

Athlete Ambassadors

Click each Ambassador’s image below to learn more about each of them.

Hall of Fame

TrueSport would like to thank our past Ambassadors for dedicating their time, stories, and passion to the TrueSport program. The TrueSport cornerstones of Sportsmanship, Character Building & Life Skills, and Clean & Healthy Performance are rooted by the direct impact and influence they’ve had on the TrueSport mission.

Athlete Ambassador Interest Form

At TrueSport, we believe in the power and influence of the athlete voice. To help elevate this voice, we are seeking current and recently retired Team USA, professional, elite, and collegiate level athletes looking to make a positive impact on the next generation of young athletes. Through the TrueSport Athlete Ambassador program, interested individuals will have the opportunity to share their personal experiences in sport through the lens of the TrueSport values and role model what it means to be a TrueSport Champion.

Full Name

Email

Sport(s) Played

If "Other" Selected Above, Explain Your Level of Sport

Are you a current or retired athlete?

Current Retired

Current Residence Location

Why do you want to be a TrueSport Athlete Ambassador?

What have you learned from your time in sport that you want to share with others?

Which of TrueSport's values do you believe you represent?

Mandy Marquardt

Mandy Marquardt resides in Allentown, PA and is a professional track sprint cyclist for the USA Cycling National Team and Edge Cycling. Mandy began cycling at age 10 in Florida and quickly rose to prominence by winning two national titles in her first year of competition. At 16, Mandy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was told by a doctor that she would never compete at a high level in sport again. It was a challenge that shaped her journey and strengthened her determination to prove that diabetes doesn’t define her or limit what she can achieve.

A 27-time U.S. National Champion, 4-time U.S. National Record holder and 2-time Pan American Games medalist, Mandy has competed at prestigious events such as World Cups, and the World Championships. Her ultimate goal is to represent Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics while continuing to inspire others and make a difference in her community.

Mandy’s dedication to sport is deeply rooted in values like respect, accountability, sportsmanship, and clean and healthy performance. As an ambassador for TrueSport, she is committed to fostering friendship, building strong communities, and inspiring, educating, and empowering others to overcome challenges and live life to the fullest.

She believes that embracing these values not only makes her a better athlete, but also a stronger teammate, friend, and role model. Mandy’s story serves as a powerful example of perseverance, resilience, and the ability to break barriers – both on and off the bike.

Sport: Cycling – Track Sprint

Hometown: Trexlertown, PA

Current Location: Pennsylvania

Favorite TrueSport Values: Respect, Accountability, Sportsmanship, Clean and Healthy Performance

Ambassadorship Goals: Friendship and smiles! Living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve found incredible strength in the support of a strong community. Bringing people together to talk about meaningful topics—especially in sport—is something I truly value. I’m committed to pursuing my sport at the highest level with integrity and balance, while also sharing a positive message with the next generation. I hope to inspire, educate, and empower others affected by diabetes. I believe that openly discussing these values helps me grow into a better athlete, teammate, and friend.

Accomplishments in Sport:

27-time U.S. National Champion
4-time American Record Holder
2-time Pan American Games Medalist
2028 Olympic Hopeful

Fun Facts

Dual German Citizen and speaks German fluently
Awarded and recognized by the United Nations for Diabetes Advocacy and Leadership through cycling
Enjoys gardening, supporting local farmers, cooking and eating clean

Social Media: Instagram: @MandyMarquardt | Facebook: @MandyMarquardtCycling

Body Image Lesson Video Transcript

Hi, I’m Kara Winger, Olympic javelin thrower, and true sport athlete. Today I want to talk to you about body image and I have three things I’d like you to know. First, healthy thoughts often lead to healthier bodies. Second, there are varying body types and no one’s body is exactly like another. And third, true beauty goes deeper than the skin. As a multi-time Olympian, I’ve experienced a lot of variation and progression in my training. My coaches and I adapt to my training frequently, all with the goal of supporting my long-term success and health in the sport of javelin. I’m talking to you about body image today because sometimes even with the best of intentions and a common goal in mind, the changes you make to your training habits can prove to be detrimental if made for the wrong reasons. In the lead up to the 2012 Olympic trials, I was told in order to improve my performance on the field, I should try to become a leaner, skinnier version of myself.

So I changed my diet. I went along with what I was being told to do, even though I’d had great success at a slightly heavier weight and higher body fat percentage, and became much leaner than ever before. It seemed like a successful change at first, but I didn’t have nearly the results I’d had before. And I believe becoming leaner than my body naturally wanted to be was what caused my ACL to tear. In the end, it cost me heavily going into the 2012 London games. The takeaway for me, and hopefully for you, is that it’s important to know what works for you and your body and to not compare yourself to others. You should do your research and experiment with your diet to find what makes you feel the best, rather than focusing on what you look like. Today, if I feel like having a chocolate chip cookie, I have one, just not every day.

I’ve learned what a properly balanced meal for my body looks like and I recognize food as the fuel that keeps me throwing. I hydrate and allow myself time to recover. And I listen to and communicate with my body so that I can be the best version of myself. In the end, you are in control of how you see, treat, and respond to your body. We only get one and it’s amazing to discover how many things our bodies can do. Be a true sport athlete. Love who you are in this moment and get excited for all the places your body will take you.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH: DECODING THE SUPPLEMENT INDUSTRY VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

At first glance, dietary supplements look the same. They seem safe and healthy, but just because the label says a product is a dietary supplement, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Unfortunately, you can’t tell whether a product is safe or not just by looking at the label. Most vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and other supplements containing nutrients are probably just fine, but supplements are not evaluated or approved by FDA before they are sold. Although it is rare for vitamins or minerals to be contaminated with drugs, there has been at least one case of a vitamin containing an anabolic steroid.

At the other extreme are products that contain drugs, stimulants, anabolic steroids, or other hormones. Even though these are not technically dietary supplements, many of them are labeled as supplements. For example, body-building products sometimes contain anabolic steroids or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, known as SARMs, or other hormones. Some pre-workout or energy products contain illegal stimulants like DMAA, ephedra, or other amphetamine-like stimulants. Weight loss products might contain prescription drugs like sibutramine, or hormones, like human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as hCG. All natural or herbal sexual enhancement products might contain hormones or Viagra-like drugs. Products like these can harm your health and career, but they’re for sale online, in some nutrition stores, and they’re labeled as dietary supplements.

When you pick up a supplement, especially one that promises performance enhancement, you don’t know if it belongs in the “Mostly O.K.” pile or in the “Dangerous” pile. After all, two products might look the same, but one might contain just amino acids and other legitimate ingredients, while the other also contains anabolic steroids. Because of this, FDA has issued a warning about certain categories of supplements: body building products, weight loss products, and sexual enhancement products. Be extremely careful when considering a supplement in one of these categories. We strongly recommend that you avoid products in these categories.

Even when FDA tests supplements and finds dangerous ingredients, companies sometimes refuse to recall them. Sometimes, they simply repackage their product and continue selling it under a new name. Just because a product is on a store shelf doesn’t mean it is safe. You need to do your research and be an informed consumer. The dietary supplement industry is enormous. Supplements that appear to be safe could actually be dangerous products in disguise. If you use dietary supplements without doing your research, you may be taking serious risks with your health and your career. Please visit USADA’s Supplement 411 for more information about dietary supplements.