Tara Davis Woodhall is known for her distinctive cowboy hat and her spellbinding speed, but that’s not all. She is also a proponent for change, a doting wife to her husband and a thorough athlete. From being vocal about the Nike outfit farrago to the track and field streaming rights, she’s a beacon of hope as to what a true athlete embodies, sans inhibitions. This long jump star also gave a gander at the frailties of being an athlete in the spotlight and away from it and, most importantly, a human. As they say-“to err is human.”
2024 has been a good year for the resilient athlete; from securing gold in the long jump at the World Indoor Championship in Glasgow to preparing for the Paris Olympics, she is shining through and through. The Olympics stand out as the pinnacle of any athlete’s life. Ahead of the Paris Olympics, Davis Woodhall was seen revealing her true cues in a heartfelt tête-à-tête. The free-spirited track and field star opened up on various episodes and revealed the reason behind her not-so-private life with discernible track and field world.
In her recent conversation at World Athletics Inside Track, Tara was seen dropping the real deal when she was candidly outspoken about welcoming the good, the bad, and the ugly. She quotes, “I think it’s important to show everything because it’s like a reality check.” Talking about her husband, Hunter Woodhall, she further added, “People think that we’re these superstars and the powerful athletes and power couple, but we are two humans, at the end of the day. I don’t show up 110% every single day with the mind that I’m going to win the Olympics or with the attitude and determination that I am the best. People have their bad days and I think sharing the good, the bad and the ugly is the most perfect thing to do.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Davis Woodhall acknowledged the fact that we often try to wrap ourselves in different identities and veneers trying to be the best, but it is okay to not be one on days when you don’t feel like it. The track and field athlete also mentioned that she loves being vocal about the fact that she is not okay! Tara gave an adorable message to her female fandoms by saying that authenticity matters, and that never allowing anyone to dictate your life’s decisions is a serious no-no. Further mentioning, she says, “Don’t ever give up on yourself. Live your life to the fullest and have fun.” It is noteworthy that Tara Davis Woodhall herself has been through hell and high water with regard to her mental health because of incessant trolling.
Tara Davis Woodhall’s buoyant journey through darkness and taking adversity in her stride
Davis Woodhall has encountered various ebbs and flows that have her vouching for her mental health the same way Simone Biles does. Her personal battles were never easy. Regardless of her impeccable performances and contagious smile on track, the American long jump star had to face absurd remarks of her‘man-like appearance,’ The athlete struggled with body dysmorphia which somewhere held her back, as she revealed. She has been vocal about her mental state at various occurrences where she hinted at being in a ‘dark phase’ mentally. One of the comments went like this, underscoring the plight of rancor and rabble rousing -“You so so beautiful I can barely see your, mustache.” She cheekily clapped back by saying –“Damn time for a laser touch up then… At least I’m beautiful ✨”
The outlandish remarks and social media initially seemed to bother her to the core which she later healed. She even revealed recently, “THESE COMMENTS USED TO HURT BUT NOW I LOVE THEM. WOMEN HAVE MUSCLES TOO, IDIOTS. IF I WAS A MAN I HOPE ID BE JUMPING 8.70M + BUT IM NOT SO 7M+ WOULD DO.” Davis Woodhall might just be the saving grace the track world desperately needs and coupled with her brazen husband as well, they are a match made in heaven.
