Viral sports couple shares story, life advice at SLC conference
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SALT LAKE CITY – Track stars Tara Davis Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall have a unique story to tell, one of triumph through adversity — a story that begins in Pocatello, at the Simplot Games.
The iconic sports couple, Olympic and Paralympic track gold medalists Tara Davis Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall recently attended RootsTech — an annual family history and technology conference and convention held in Salt Lake City — as keynote speakers on March 8.
They met in 2017, at the Simplot Games at Idaho State University, an event that attracts high school track athletes from all over the United States. The two met as high school athletes in their seniors years. They each placed first in their respective events — Tara in the 60m hurdles and long jump, and Hunter in 400m dash.
Tara, from Agoura Hills, Calif. and Hunter from Syracuse, Utah, became social media sensations after they began dating in June of 2017. The two were married October 16, 2022.
During the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the whole world witnessed the viral moment when Tara ran into Hunter’s arms after winning the Women’s Long Jump Final. Then, after Hunter’s win of the Men’s 400m T62 at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, he was captured running to Tara who cheered him on in the stands.
EastIdahoSports.com participated in a media conference during RootsTech where the Woodhalls shared their actions to inspire their audience and the next generation.
We asked Hunter and Tara how they’re helping encourage youths to connect and form interpersonal relationships, face-to-face, like they first did during Pocatello’s Simplot Games in 2017.
“I guess, it starts with just getting out — getting out of the house and being present with the people that you’re around and put the phone down and just try to connect,” Tara said. “Ask someone their favorite color. … That’s really how met is at a track meet. It’s something that we both enjoy, and something that we both passion and then for me to go up on the track and hug him and we sit here eight years later, it’s pretty insane. I would just say get up and get out, go touch some grass. We have to change this ‘social media influence life’— there’s still life out there.”
Hunter added to that:
“We love being outside, we love spending time with our friends, family and community, that’s what makes all of this worth it so I think just leading through action,” he said. “Who knows what could happen? We met at a track meet in high school. Maybe there’s some other little love birds out there making it work.”
Hunter, a double-amputee, was born with fibular hemimelia, a birth defect which prevents the proper development of the lower limbs. When Hunter was born his right ankle and fibular hemimelia were fused. He had his legs amputated below the knees at 11 months old. Hunter’s competitive nature allowed him to compete beyond the limitations of his disability.
Hunter shared during the media conference how intimidating it can be to post things on a social media platform because the outcomes in life are unknown. He, however, chooses to share anyway.
“It’s a little scary to go out there and be vulnerable … that’s kind of like, ‘I’m putting this out there, I don’t know what’s going to happen,'” he said.
“In that moonshot, where it does hit and that dream does happen, it’s like you can look back at all those difficult times, and all of those trials and be like, ‘This is why all of that was worth it,'” he added. … “I think that’s a really, real example of what we want to show to the next generation. Two things can be true, bad things can happen, and you can go through hardships, and you can also accomplish something really incredible, and accomplish your dreams.”
As a high school student, Hunter competed at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympic Games. Hunter won a silver medal in the 200-meter T44, and a bronze medal in the 400m T44 events. That same year, he was named the 2016 Male High School Track Athlete of the Year by US Paralympics.
He became the first double-amputee to earn an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship, with the University of Arkansas. He’s competed at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where he received a bronze medal in the 400m T62 event.
In college Tara competed for the University of Georgia and The University of Texas. She won both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships in the long jump in 2021. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tara placed 6th in Women’s Long Jump.
Tara shared during the media conference about her mental health battle with anxiety and depression, even amidst big wins.
“I love sharing my mental health story. I love sharing ways that help me get through my depression-anxiety — all of those wild thoughts that go in, through my head. I know I’m not the only person out there,” she said.
“What happens when there is no joy?” Tara asked rhetorically. “What about those times where we need that support? That’s where I come in. I’m not afraid to share my story. I’m not afraid to share that I struggle with depression and anxiety. It’s all part of everyone’s journey.”
The Woodhalls continue to share their story through social media and on their YouTube channel. To watch the Woodhall’s keynote session at RootsTech go to FamilySearch.org.
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