BRIDGEWATER, Va.- On Friday, Nov. 14 Olympic long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall and Paralympic sprinter Hunter Woodhall gave an Endowed Lecture in Cole Hall emphasizing physical and mental resilience.
The lecture, titled “Grit, Resilience, and Goal-Setting,” centered around their Olympic journeys and the mindset required, physically, mentally and emotionally, to compete at the highest level. They also shared anecdotes about how they met and the importance of their relationship.
A full house of students, faculty and community members gathered to hear the couple share personal stories of resilience, authenticity and strength.
Woodhall opened the lecture with a personal account of being born without fibular bones, undergoing double amputation at 11 months. He described years of hard work, overcoming bullying, and eventually becoming the first double amputee athlete to earn a Division I track scholarship, as well as a multi-medalist for Team USA.
“There’s nothing embarrassing about trying.” Woodhall said. “It’s only crazy until you do it.”
Davis-Woodhall followed, sharing how track has been a lifelong passion, competing against older athletes since she was four. But her Olympic journey was not just about athletic talent. The couple highlighted mental health as a key part of their success.
According to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, students with untreated mental health issues often face academic struggles and reduced social connection. This makes conversations like these especially meaningful on college campuses.
“Your mind needs recovery just like your body.” Davis-Woodhall said.
Both athletes discussed how mental strength can look different than physical strength, and how resilience often develops through moments of adversity. Throughout the lecture, the couple encouraged the audience to redefine failure.
“You win or you learn,” Davis-Woodhall said.
Woodhall added that despite external pressures and expectations, success begins with taking a leap of faith.
“Don’t be afraid to fail; don’t be afraid to not be okay,” Woodhall said. “Everything you’re going through right now is preparing you to do something incredible in the future.”
The athletes also discussed how success does not always come from major milestones, but from celebrating progress along the way. Davis-Woodhall said their personal mantra is “These are the moments.”
Jules Lombardi, a junior psychology major, attended the lecture to hear more about the Woodhall’s story after following them on TikTok.
“They were very inspiring.” Lombardi said. “They were more relevant to, I feel like, my life as a non-athlete than I expected.
Lombardi said the talk pushed them to think more ambitiously about their future.
In their closing, both athletes reminded students that success comes from the “grit, resilience, and goal-setting” you experience through hardship.
“This is just a moment in time,” Davis-Woodhall said. “You have so much time left.”
Anyone who was unable to attend the lecture but wants to follow Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall’s continued journey can watch their videos by visiting their YouTube channel.
