Tara and Hunter Woodhall ‘Weren’t Taken Seriously’ Before Marriage

World class athletes have to prove themselves sometimes, too — even when it comes to relationships with their significant others. 

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall — who won gold in the women’s long jump at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the men’s 400 m T62 at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, respectively — reflected back on how they were perceived in their early dating days. 

“When we were boyfriend and girlfriend, no one would look our way as if we were in a relationship,” said Tara, 25, who spoke to Us, along with Hunter, 25, via their partnership with Bath & Body Works. “We wouldn’t be taken seriously. Our thoughts and ideas weren’t real because we were dating.” 

Tara and Hunter got married in October 2022, but before tying the knot, Hunter remembered many of the same struggles. 

“It was like two individuals who were doing things in parallel,” he said of perceptions about their relationship. “When we got married, people took us very seriously. Now it’s not Tara and Hunter, it’s the Woodhalls. It’s a team. We’re doing this together.”

After saying “I do,” Hunter explained how the couple’s own mindset went through an evolution, too. 

“Once we got married, it was a commitment to, ‘Yo, this is Team Woodhall,’” Hunter explained. “Obviously before, we had that empathy and care for each other. But once we got married, it just took off. We have each other’s back one-hundred percent. We’re going to keep each other accountable. It was like both of us wanted to see the other succeed just as badly as we wanted to succeed ourselves.”

He added, “It was so much more locked in. There’s so much more dedication and understanding for what the goal was and how we were going to get there.”

After achieving those goals this summer, The Woodhalls crossed another item off the bucket list as torch bearers for Bath & Body Works’ Countdown to Candle Day on Thursday, December 5, when they carried a torch through the streets of Manhattan and, along with fellow Olympic champion Jordan Chiles, lit a giant, 10-foot candle at Hudson Yards. 

The event was the precursor to Bath & Body Works’ Candle Day on Friday, December 6, when customers can begin purchasing the brand’s candles for $9.95.

This holiday season, the Woodhalls are taking a major leap and welcoming both of their families to spend Christmas under their roof for the first time ever. 

“Right before the Olympics, we figured out we were moving to Kansas,” Hunter said. “We went to the Olympics and won and there was just this crazy onslaught of traveling, media and all these different things. My mom was calling me about Christmas and asking what’s going on. They didn’t really have a plan. I said, ‘Here’s the deal, guys. We finally have a place big enough to host everybody. We’re gonna be in town for Christmas and if you would like to be there, we’d love to have you.’”

He continued, “One by one, everyone just jumped on board. It’s crazy.”

Despite the expected – and probably assured – chaos, Tara is ready to go. 

“Monday through Friday, our house will be full,” she said with a smile. “It will be a Winter Wonderland. It’s getting decorated. It’s going to be beautiful.”

For more on Bath & Body Works’ Candle Day, click here.