As Ryan Lochte’s divorce continues to inch forward without resolution, his estranged wife Kayla Reid Lochte is no longer keeping quiet about where things stand. Nearly a year after filing to end their marriage, Kayla says the situation remains strained, unresolved, and far from peaceful.
“Obviously, we’re not in a good place,” Kayla said to People when asked about her current dynamic with her estranged ex, underscoring that time alone hasn’t healed the rift between them.
The former Olympic swimmer and the realtor-turned-podcaster share three children together—Caiden, Liv, and Georgia—and while both parents remain involved, Kayla described their arrangement as deliberately distant.
Rather than traditional co-parenting, she says they operate in parallel lanes. “We try to have minimal interaction,” she explained, noting that the approach is meant to keep things functional, not friendly.
The divorce itself is still winding through the court system, slowed by disagreements over finances and other unresolved issues. Kayla acknowledged that the process has been draining, saying it “could be a long road ahead,” while also admitting she’s ready for it to be over.
Instead of letting the uncertainty define her, Kayla has redirected her energy into a new creative outlet.
Last month, she launched The Comeback Era, a podcast co-hosted with longtime friend Caroline Lunny, where they unpack topics such as heartbreak, dating after divorce, grief, and rebuilding your identity when life doesn’t go as planned.
The show isn’t positioned as a tell-all, but Kayla has said that it will eventually touch on her marriage and its collapse. At its core, she frames the podcast as a space about reclaiming autonomy.
“The redemption and gaining control of your life—the do-over—it’s truly a gift from God,” she said, describing the mindset behind the project.
Despite the tension between her and Ryan, Kayla stopped short of hostility. She said she wishes him well and hopes he continues to grow as a parent. “I really pray that he becomes the father our kids deserve,” she said.
Ryan previously described the split as painful but necessary, calling it “the right step toward peace and well-being” and reaffirming his commitment to co-parenting.
He has since moved on publicly, while Kayla says she’s intentionally staying single.
“I’ve dated, but right now I’m choosing to remain single,” she said. “My focus is on my kids and building the life I envision for our future.”
