Paralympic Gold Medalist Hunter Woodhall Reveals How Track and Field Became a Blessing in Disguise to His Disability

Hunter Woodhall’s life hasn’t been a bed of roses. Hunter has lived his life dependent on prosthetics due to fibular hemmelia. Plus, when he went to school, he had to face brutal bullies. “I was different, and the kids let me know.” But amidst all this, he’s had his moments of solace. The man’s found the love of his life in Tara Davis-Woodhall and a delayed but emotional win in Paris. But there’s a whole lot beyond this that you need to know about.

Paris was Hunter Woodhall’s third time at the Olympics but certainly the most special one. Not only did he upgrade his bronzes to gold this time, but he shared touching moments that left no eye dry at State de France. But none of this would have been possible if he hadn’t explored track and field. What if he’d never given it a shot as a child? Oh boy, he would have missed out on so much.

January 21, Hunter Woodhall shared a post on his Instagram, detailing the congenital disease he’s had since birth. But that’s not what changed his life. Sports did. Woodhall confessed to dabbling in multiple sports. But the one that transformed his life for the better was track and field. “It’s taken me all over the world. It’s allowed me to meet some of the most incredible people ever, including my wife, who infamously takes my disability lighter than anyone else that I know,” he remarked.

Hunter Woodhall is a strong believer that track and field not only brought about changes around him but within him. It taught him, “But all this to say, bad things will happen in your life. And there are usually two directions you can go with that. And I genuinely believe at the end of one of those roads, you can look back and see that bad thing may have been a blessing in disguise.” 

These experiences have truly changed Hunter Woodhall’s perspective for good. So much that if you ask him if he’d want to change what happened to him, he’d pass. Because Hunter wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. But this answer would have been quite different if you asked him a few years ago.

And based on his learnings, he even shared a little mantra for the rest. “So be yourself. It’s cool to be unique. Lean into challenges. It’ll make you a better person.”But that’s just one part of the story. Woodhall has a few others to thank for. One of whom is his mother, for her golden words have taken him a step closer to creativity.

Hunter Woodhall’s mother shares key advice for success

Living with a disability is hardly easy. Especially when one is as firm-minded as Hunter Woodhall, who strictly resents using it as an excuse. However, while he was growing up, there were days when he did feel frustrated about his condition. Like that one day when he was struggling to ride a bike.

And that’s when Hunter Woodhall’s mother chimed in with something that he’ll never forget. She advised, “I remember my mom calmly telling me that Hunter, it’s not like you can’t do something; it’s just that you might have to find another way to do it. And I just always kept that in mind.”

All of this collectively has truly changed things for him. Don’t you think? Share your thoughts with us below!