Love, gold medals, and a dash of drama—that’s Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall for you! Their Paris Olympic and Paralympic story was straight out of a rom-com: sweet messages before events, emotional embraces after wins, and a celebration that made the internet collectively swoon. From Tara’s Olympic triumph to Hunter’s Paralympic stardom, the power couple brought their A-game. But behind the picture-perfect scenes, there’s more to their story.

Tara and Hunter have known each other since their senior year of high school. They know each other’s strengths like the back of their hands—and their shortcomings too. While the world usually gets the polished version of their lives, Tara’s never shied away from keeping it real. One of her biggest struggles? Patience—or, let’s say, the lack of it.

Tara’s got no problem keeping it real. The long jumper is an open book when it comes to her struggles—especially her notorious lack of patience. During a recent sit-down with Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin on the Beyond The Records podcast, Tara got candid in a way that surprised everyone. What did she spill? Her inner battles and the fierce loyalty she has for her husband, Hunter.

In her no-filter style, Tara confessed she doesn’t hold back when someone crosses a line with her or Hunter. “I will crash out. I will crash out so hard if like someone like walks over Hunter,” she revealed. “Cuz obviously he’s my man, I don’t let people walk and he’ll go like ‘It’s fine they’re just probably having a bad day or something,” Tara shared. While Hunter keeps it chill in these moments, Tara’s protective instincts take center stage. It’s a classic case of fire and ice—her fiery passion balanced by his calm demeanor.

Yes, Hunter Woodhall possesses the rare quality of staying normal in the face of any storm. And honestly? Sometimes, it leaves Tara Davis-Woodhall downright baffled. “Oh my God, he’s so patient. It’s ridiculous how patient he is,” she exclaimed during the Beyond The Records podcast, with Hunter just smiling and nodding like it was no big deal. Even Noah Lyles couldn’t miss the vibe, pointing out how their contrasting personalities somehow create this unshakable bond. “I’m assuming you chose a partner who is a little more patient,” he quipped, leaving Tara with no choice but to agree. After all, she’s the first to admit her patience levels are in the negatives. But opposites attract, right?

Of course, contrasting personalities can stir up their own kind of drama. Rai Benjamin couldn’t resist digging deeper, referencing a meme about someone losing it while waiting for an order. Turns out that meme could’ve been Tara on her first date with Hunter! Picture this: Tara and Hunter at a restaurant, waiting for pizza. Simple enough, right?

Except the pizza took an hour and a half—and Tara was ready to lose her mind. “It’s just a pizza that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to cook. We sat there for an hour and a half waiting for our pizza,” she recalled, still incredulous. But here’s the kicker: she didn’t say a word. Why? She didn’t want to ruin the date. “Unfortunately, I saved it for this first date. I held my tongue, yeah I didn’t allow it to come out,” Tara admitted. “I told him afterwards I was like you know how hard it was for me not to freak out.’” That wasn’t the last time Tara reined in her fiery side for Hunter’s sake.

Tara Davis-Woodhall has her very own ‘in-home therapist’ on speed dial

Since their senior year of high school, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall have been each other’s ride-or-die. What started as a spark of liking quickly grew into love, bringing them closer with each passing year. After the Tokyo Olympics, Hunter popped the big question, and Tara, of course, said yes. To the world, their love story seems like something out of a rom-com—flawless, inspiring, and made for the big screen. But behind the picture-perfect romance lies a story of resilience, heartbreak, and sacrifices that most onlookers never see.

Take Tara’s pre-Tokyo journey, for instance. She faced rejection from the Diamond League, with officials citing her lack of titles as the reason. Talk about a blow to the gut. Then, at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, she couldn’t make the mark she hoped for—a tough pill for any champion to swallow. Through it all, Hunter was by her side, witnessing every setback firsthand. But it wasn’t just Tara fighting battles. Hunter, too, has had his share of failures to overcome.

Nonetheless, the Paralympian stayed rock-solid, always standing by Tara’s side—even when she brought her full range of emotions to the table. It’s a quality that didn’t just impress Tara; it endeared her even more. In an exclusive interview with SELF, she eventually claimed, “Oh yeah, he’s my venting person-whatever I gotta say, he gets to hear it. He’s like my in-home therapist when I can’t talk to my actual therapist. He just makes everything better. Even going to these events, I could not imagine going to them alone.”

It’s clear their differences don’t divide them; they strengthen their bond. Their contrasting personalities—Tara’s fiery passion and Hunter’s steady patience—turned them into the perfect balance, sailing through life’s challenges as each other’s ultimate support system.