Falling Forward: How Tara Davis-Woodhall Turned Setbacks Into Olympic Gold

The rise and fall of an athlete is not an unusual storyline. But the rise, fall, and triumphant comeback describes the unique journey of Tara Davis-Woodhall.

Born Tara Davis in 1999 in Mesquite, Texas, and raised in Agoura Hills, California, she first set foot on a track at age four. Her love for track and field should come as no surprise, as her father, Ty Davis, was a former collegiate track athlete.

As her father helped nurture her love for the sport, her talents flourished. In high school, she shattered state records, winning multiple events and breaking a 24-year high jump record once held by Marion Jones.

After one season at the University of Georgia, Tara transferred to the University of Texas, where she became a national standout. Her collegiate career included record-breaking performances in hurdles and long jump, culminating in her turning professional in 2021.

Davis was also winning off the track. In 2017, she met fellow track athlete and Paralympian Hunter Woodhall. The two married in 2022 and used their charming YouTube channel and social media presence to build their brand together.

Now competing as Tara Davis-Woodhall, her hard work earned her a coveted spot at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She powered her way to a sixth-place finish in the long jump final with a personal best of 6.84 meters. Though not the podium result she hoped for, that experience ignited something within her. She later reflected that the disappointment “honestly fueled me,” serving as motivation for future redemption.

That motivation led to success and setback in quick succession. Davis-Woodhall won the 2022 USA Indoor long jump title, but the victory was overshadowed when she was stripped of her title after testing positive for a cannabis metabolite. She accepted a month-long suspension and underwent a treatment program.

Later that year brought near-victory at the World Championships in Budapest, where she earned silver with a 6.91-meter jump—tantalizingly close to gold, yet heartbreaking.

Davis-Woodhall was refreshingly open about the disappointment, showing genuine emotions on social media. Training alongside her husband, the couple quickly became fan favorites, leading to endorsement deals with Nike, Lululemon, and Champion.

Together they prepared for Paris 2024—Hunter for the Paralympics and Tara for the Olympics. In the City of Light, Davis-Woodhall delivered her defining performance, soaring 7.10 meters to win Olympic gold. Her jump surpassed reigning champion Malaika Mihambo, who took silver with 6.98 meters, and fellow American Jasmine Moore, who claimed bronze at 6.96 meters.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Davis-Woodhall has emerged as an advocate for mental health and work-life balance. After her Olympic triumph, she and Hunter have navigated public life while staying grounded. They run a popular YouTube channel, manage their social media presence together, and use their platform to support underfunded track athletes.

She now serves as an assistant track coach at Kansas State University under coach Travis Geopfert while continuing to train with an eye toward world records and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Tara Davis-Woodhall proves that a fall from greatness is only permanent if you’re not committed to doing the work to rise again.