Watch: Ryan Lochte Addresses Backlash About Estranged Wife Kayla and Selling His Olympic Gold Medals
Ryan Lochte is jumping into a sea of change.
Over a year after his wife Kayla Reidfiled for divorce following seven years of marriage, the 12-time Olympic medalist announced a pivot in career, joining Missouri State University’s swim team as an assistant coach.
But the new job title isn’t Ryan’s only major change. Indeed, in the Instagram video revealing his teaching role, the swimmer appeared markedly different from his days in the pool at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Though the 41-year-old—dad to Caiden, 8, Liv, 7, and Georgia, 2, with Kayla—used to present a clean-shaven look and coiffed hair, he now dons scruffy facial hair and a spiked-up, gelled hairdo.
Plus, like Ryan’s appearance, his interests have changed over time.
“Over the last couple of years, something so unexpected happened,” he said in the May 10 video. “I might actually be more passionate about coaching than competing. Don’t get me wrong, I had a pretty good swimming career, but honestly, I think I might even be a better swim coach.”
He added, “So, I traded in my goggles for a stopwatch, and I’m not gonna lie, it looks pretty good on me.”
Among the waves of support he received in the comments, Ryan’s new girlfriend Molly Gilliham wrote, “I love you. I am beyond, beyond proud of you. This is what you were made to do!!! Congrats my lovie!”
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And it seems change is the only constant for the Traitors alum, who announced in January that he and his kids had moved in with Molly and her three children from a previous relationship.
“I fell in love with someone who shares those same values and who has three children of her own,” Ryan told People. “Together, we’re a family of six kids. She’s my best friend, our kids have formed an incredible bond, and it became clear that being together under one roof was the right next step for all of us.”
And the new couple couldn’t be happier.
“We needed a bigger home to support our blended family,” Ryan added. “And we’re focused on creating a loving, stable environment for all of our children.”
For more sports stars and the special bonds they share with their kids, keep reading…
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