I am Hayley McGregory.
Life’s a journey.
I am a Texan. Even if I wasn't born here, my Texas roots run deep.
For me, life started on a significantly different path, one that included a high-rise in a part of central London where people are a little more scrappy and have a certain type of walk that can only come from years of grit and grind. I learned something, that life’s a journey and that with family, hard work and hustle, anything is possible.
Life wasn’t easy, but we had each other and big dreams, which is what eventually drew us to America. We found Texas and kept moving forward.
As a kid in Houston, I spent as much time as possible playing in our community pool. The neighborhood antics quickly turned into something more as I started to realize that I could swim fast, significantly faster than anyone in our neighborhood. And eventually the state. During high school, competitive swimming brought me to Austin where I started to break national age group, US Open and American records, eventually breaking world records in both the 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke.
Although my dream of making the US Olympic team never became a reality, I realized the journey I was on as an athlete, pushing myself back up every time I fell, pulling myself across the pool when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore, proved far more rewarding than one eluding competition. Reflecting back, I also started to recognize that those accomplishments weren’t just special to me, but helped others find an example in life that anyone can rise above their obstacles to reach their dreams and full potential.
Passion for people & confidence in being you
Throughout my life I have never been comfortable talking about my race. People look at me and say, “wow you are tan for January,” it was hard to identify with one group or another when I never felt like I fit in, or looked the way people expected. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be more proud of who I am, a strong African-American female, born in London, raised in Texas.
In the sport of competitive swimming in America, I believe there’s only been one mixed-race, African-American female in history to break an individual world record. The first time I became the best in the world was a surprise. It just happened. I wasn’t trying to break down any sort of barrier, I just wanted to be the best version of myself at whatever I started, including the sport I love. That desire of always wanting to be my best at all my endeavors is something that continues to be deeply rooted in my life today.
I don’t believe any one thing defines a person, to me it's always been about the little things we do everyday, cherishing life’s differences, and the love we share with one another.
Deep roots in our community - excited for our future, together.
Checking out a new, amazing Sushi restaurants in downtown Austin!
I was fortunate that my swimming helped me to travel the world, but I am also grateful that it helped me to find Austin. It’s here, in this community, that I really found my passion for life and ultimately the place I have now called home for over twenty years.
My most cherished moments came years later when I became a mother and brought my kids home in Austin. As a family, we continue to explore Austin and the surrounding hill county, experiencing the magic that makes our city so special!
As a family, we believe in building community based on trust, honesty, passion and hard work. I've had the good fortune to be able to call my favorite place in the world home for over two decades. We live in a rural part of Austin’s southwest city limits, raising our two beautiful children, numerous animals, thousands of bees and a large vegetable garden on our beautiful homestead.
We try to live small and simply, support local, and never stop dreaming big!
With love,
Hayley
