2024, Paris: It was the hug that made people start believing in love again. After Tara-Davis Woodhall clinched that elusive Olympic gold in the women’s long jump final, the first thing she did was look at her husband. Cheering at the top of his voice with his arms outstretched, Hunter Woodhall’s red face and teary eyes were enough to tell you about every emotion he was feeling in that moment. Tara ran with all her might. She closed her eyes, and jumped into her husband’s arms after the win, sand still covering her whole body. “You’re the Olympic Champion!!! YOU DID IT!” Hunter yelled as if in disbelief and pride. Two months later, it was Tara’s turn.

Taking his first-ever Olympic gold in the men’s 400m T62 final, it was finally the end of the beautiful dream the couple had weaved together since 2017. But what happens when you finally live the dream? And, that too, one of that magnitude? We’re talking million-dollar deals, a net worth hovering around $2 million, and a brand lineup that sounds like a shopping haul—Nike, Netflix, Bath & Body Works, UGG, Stanley, Tecovas. And yet, somehow, she’s still the same Tara. Why? Well, the secret lies within her home’s four walls.

In an interview with the Skimm, Davis-Woodhall and her husband sat down to talk about her post-Olympic fame. When asked how she’s stayed so level-headed, Tara delivered a mic-drop quote that left even the interviewer stunned: “My life changed a lot, but our four walls didn’t,” To this, the host responded, “That was like the greatest quote I’ve ever heard.” The 25-year-old track and field athlete then explained, “We got new sponsorships, we are going and speaking at all these engagements, but like, in between our four walls, our team is the same. Our passion is the same, the love that we have for each other is the same, our priorities are the same.” That kind of clarity doesn’t come from a social media filter — it comes from staying close to your roots.

Let’s not forget what this couple just pulled off. On August 8, 2024, Tara Davis-Woodhall claimed Olympic gold in the women’s long jump with a jaw-dropping leap of 7.10 meters, taking down defending champ Malaika Mihambo. On September 6, at the Paralympics in the same Paris stadium, he clocked 46.36 seconds to win his first Paralympic gold in the men’s 400m T62, edging out world record holder Johannes Floors. Together, they became the golden couple of athletics — one Olympic gold, one Paralympic gold, and one seriously powerful bond.

Now, they’ve traded the chaos of Olympic fanfare for something a little slower — and a lot more grounded. They’ve moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Tara has taken on a new role as assistant coach for the Kansas State University track and field team. The cameras may have followed them home, but their feet are still firmly planted on the ground. “It’s like we get to share, actually, the small town in Kansas,” Tara said. From international stardom to coaching in the Midwest, Tara and Hunter prove that no matter how high you jump or how fast you run, it’s who you come home to that really keeps you grounded.

But none of it would have been possible without the support of her husband.

Tara and Hunter Woodhall’s teamwork fuels their success both on and off the track

Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall’s love story is a real heart-warmer. They first crossed paths in 2017 at a high school track meet, and even though they were at different universities, they made their long-distance relationship work. Eventually, Tara moved to Arkansas so they could train together, and in 2022, they tied the knot at a vineyard in Texas. Their connection goes beyond just being partners in love—they’re teammates in everything. As Tara said, “We hold each other accountable – we’re a partnership, we’re a team, and every day, it’s a new experience, but we get to do it together, so it makes it ten times better.”

After Tara’s Olympic victory, she divulged further: “He’s my biggest supporter, and I guess the whole world got to see how much he supports me,” and it was clear from that hug just how deep their connection is.

And yet, how amazing is the unique living style that is part of their faith? They train together, cook together, and just make the most of every moment. In the words of Hunter, “We do everything together. We train at the exact same time, go to the weight room the same time, we come home, we cook together… It’s more like we’re just enjoying what we’re doing.” Of course, that’s not all it is, but it seems their friendship embodies both athletic life dream and joy, and elevates each other with every step they take.