A signature cowboy hat, a dazzling smile, and a magnetic presence—these are the hallmarks of Tara Davis-Woodhall. The track and field sensation is rarely seen without them, whether she’s leaping to victory on the track or sharing glimpses of her vibrant life with her husband on Instagram. Fresh off her stunning triumph as the Olympic long jump champion, Davis-Woodhall surprised fans once again with an unexpected announcement on social media: her season isn’t over yet.

What exactly does that mean? It means the long jump queen is gearing up for a return to the track, making her first post-Olympic appearance at the Rome Diamond League on August 30. However, during a press conference just a day before the event, the usually bubbly Davis-Woodhall adopted a more serious tone. When congratulated on her incredible achievement, she was asked how she overcame her mental health struggles to finally claim her first Olympic gold.

Never one to hold back, the 25-year-old flashed a quick smile before diving into her story. “Yeah, back in 2020-2021, I wasn’t really fond of what I was doing in my life,” she admitted. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Davis-Woodhall reached the finals but finished sixth with a best jump of 6.84 meters. “I had some bad habits, some bad outlooks on life,” she confessed. Realizing she wasn’t where she wanted to be, Davis-Woodhall knew she needed to make some big changes.

Her journey to Olympic glory wasn’t just about improving her technique; it was about transforming her mindset and conquering her inner demons. Now, as she prepares to compete in Rome, fans are eager to see this dynamic athlete back in action, fueled by her resilience and ready to soar to new heights.

So what did Tara Davis-Woodhall do? “I gave myself the ultimatum of you know ‘you give this life one chance, it’s either you take it or you don’t’, and I decided to buckle up and just put on the boots and start marching.” The Olympian started looking at life differently and believed she was “here for a reason.” While she admitted she isn’t too sure of what that reason is just yet, she is certain of one thing. “I’m going to show my smile and show the joy of life.” Truly the mindset of a champion, don’t you think?

The 25-year-old opens up about why she’s so candid about her mental health. She believes everyone has their own set of struggles. But according to her, if she talks about it and goes over her struggles, then it might inspire more people to live their lives the way they intend to. The Olympian is no stranger to adversity, but she found her way past it and believes that her example will help others shine through.

Tara Davis-Woodhall pushes through to climb the ladder of success

Tara Davis-Woodhall’s journey through mental struggles began long before she became an Olympic champion. In high school at Agoura, she faced a string of injuries that left her vulnerable to ridicule from her peers. Hoping for support from her coach, she was crushed to find he wasn’t in her corner either. Seeking a fresh start, she moved on to the University of Georgia, but the challenges continued. Her muscular build made her a target for bullying, with cruel comments calling her a ‘boy.’ Despite these setbacks, Davis-Woodhall refused to be broken. She realized she was destined for greater things and set her sights on shattering the glass ceiling in track and field.

Fast forward to the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the scene was set for redemption. On August 8, 2024, at the Stade de France, Davis-Woodhall achieved her dream, winning gold in the women’s long jump. Her husband, Hunter Woodhall, was by her side as she celebrated her triumphant moment, a testament to her resilience and determination

Maintaining her mental health has been key to Davis-Woodhall’s success. How does she do it? She has created a sanctuary at home, finding comfort and safety in the presence of children and drawing strength from her supportive husband, Hunter. Being with someone who understands the rigors of the sport has been invaluable, but Davis-Woodhall also believes in embracing vulnerability. “You get wrapped up in just trying to show the best,” she has said. “And I love showing that I’m not okay all the time because I know there’s someone out there that can relate.”

Her openness and determination to break down barriers serve as an inspiration to many. What do you think of Tara Davis-Woodhall’s incredible journey and mindset? Share your thoughts in the comments below

Don’t leave just yet! We have something just for you. In this week’s Think Tank episode on EssentiallySports, Madisen Skinner’s coach, a renowned name in American volleyball, shared a few behind-the-scenes perspectives on his star pupil. Go check it out, you wouldn’t want to miss this!