Former Olympic swimmer, Hayley Lewis, abandoned her swimming career for an unlikely venture - creating quirky dolls. After fading away from public view, the once-prominent athlete has found success in a new, unconventional domain.
Hayley Lewis: A Remarkable Life of Olympic Medals, Motherhood, and Entrepreneurship
Hayley Lewis, a 51-year-old Brisbane resident, has had an illustrious career that spans across sports, television, and business. Born in Australia, Lewis has made significant contributions in various fields, earning numerous accolades and titles.
Lewis's athletic career was nothing short of extraordinary. She competed in three Olympic Games – Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, and Sydney in 2000. Her dedication and hard work paid off as she won a total of two Olympic medals. In 2000, she was awarded an Australian Sports Medal and a Medal of the Order of Australia for her sporting accomplishments. In 1997, she was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Following her athletic career, Lewis ventured into the world of television. She worked as a host on The Biggest Loser Australia from 2010 to 2014. Despite the controversies that surrounded the show, Lewis remained a staunch supporter and chose to focus on the positive impact it had on many lives. In 2014, she announced her departure from the show to focus on her family and her business ventures.
One of Lewis's most recent endeavours is Coming Up Roses, a unique gift and homewares store located in Balmoral. The store, which sells quirky and hard-to-find gifts, was born out of the closure of her Westfield Carindale swimming centre in 2010.
Lewis is not just a successful entrepreneur, but also a loving mother. She shares two sons, Jacob and Kai, with her husband, Greg Taylor, whom she married in 1997. In a remarkable twist of fate, Kai Lewis won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making them the second mother-son duo to represent Australia in Olympic swimming, after Edna Davey and Graham Hamilton in 1928 and 1956 respectively.
Today, Lewis continues to inspire as a Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador. She resides in Brisbane with her husband and sons, where she continues to make a difference in the lives of many.
