Lizzy Yarnold, the most decorated British winter Olympian, has swapped skeleton runs for executive coaching and motherhood. Now a mother of three, she balances professional speaking, BBC punditry, and a change-focused coaching practice.
After defending her Olympic gold in PyeongChang 2018, Yarnold retired from skeleton in 2019 and quietly built a completely different career. She rarely makes headlines today, but her post-Olympic life has attracted growing curiosity online — from questions about her husband and children to discussions about her changing physique and net worth.
This article brings together the available facts about what Yarnold is doing now, what is known about her family, and what remains unclear.
What is Lizzy Yarnold Doing Now in 2025?
2× Gold (Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018)
Executive Coach, Keynote Speaker, BBC Pundit
Mother of three daughters
Not publicly disclosed
- Yarnold is the first British winter Olympian to successfully defend an Olympic title.
- After retirement she qualified as an executive coach and now works 1:1 with leaders and teams.
- She is a mother of three daughters and has spoken openly about post-athlete body changes.
- She remains involved in elite sport through mentoring young athletes and sitting on the British Olympic Association Athletes’ Commission.
- During the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics she has worked as a TV analyst for the BBC, covering skeleton and luge.
- Her coaching practice is built around change management and is accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Anne Yarnold |
| Born | 31 October 1988, Sevenoaks, Kent |
| Sport | Skeleton |
| Olympic Golds | 2 (Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018) |
| Spouse | Not publicly confirmed by reliable sources |
| Children | Three daughters |
| Current Occupation | Executive coach, keynote speaker, pundit |
| Coaching Accreditation | EMCC-qualified executive coach |
Who is Lizzy Yarnold’s Husband? Does She Have Children?
Marriage to James Roche
Online sources and social media occasionally mention a husband named James Roche, but no official biography, verified news report, or Yarnold’s own website confirms that name. Her coaching website makes no mention of a spouse, and neither do her official profiles on Wikipedia or Team GB. The identity of her husband – if she is married – has not been publicly confirmed through credible, attributable sources.
Yarnold’s known public platforms – LinkedIn, her personal website, and Instagram – discuss her coaching and motherhood but do not name a partner. The name “James Roche” circulates in unverified forums and secondary summaries, but no primary source has been found to substantiate it.
News About Her Baby and Family Life
What is clear from Yarnold’s own materials is that she is a parent of three daughters. Her coaching page describes her as a “mum of three”, and she has posted about her children on her Instagram account (@therealyarnold). The exact timeline of each birth has not been made public, but secondary reports suggest she welcomed her third child around 2024.
Why is There Discussion About Lizzy Yarnold’s Weight Gain?
Physical Changes After Retirement
In 2024, a secondary article summarised that Yarnold had been open about a natural increase in weight and a shift in physique following her retirement from elite sport. The piece framed this as a normal part of the transition away from the extreme training demands of skeleton. Because the article is not a primary source – it does not quote Yarnold directly – this information should be read as a secondary account rather than a definitive statement she issued.
Understanding Body Composition Shifts in Elite Athletes
It is well documented that elite athletes often experience significant changes in body composition after retirement. No medical condition has been linked to Yarnold, and the discussion appears to reflect a healthy adjustment to a different lifestyle rather than anything unusual.
Public discussion about Yarnold’s body is based on a single secondary report. No reputable primary source – including Yarnold herself – has issued a statement specifically addressing weight gain. The conversation highlights broader curiosity about athlete bodies post-retirement, but should not be mistaken for confirmed personal disclosure.
Lizzy Yarnold Net Worth: What is Her Financial Legacy?
Earnings from Skeleton Racing and Sponsorships
No verified net worth figure exists for Lizzy Yarnold in any of the available sources. During her skeleton career she earned prize money from World Cup and Olympic performances, and she held sponsorship deals with brands such as British Airways and Adidas. Exact sums have never been published.
Income from Coaching and Media Work
Since retiring, Yarnold has built a steady income stream through executive coaching, keynote speaking, and BBC punditry. Her LinkedIn profile describes her as an “Executive Coach & Keynote Speaker” who works with “corporate leaders and teams”. Without financial disclosure, however, any figure attached to her net worth remains speculative.
Several websites list net worth estimates for Yarnold ranging from £1 million to £3 million, but none of these figures can be traced to official records, tax filings, or statements from Yarnold or her representatives. Treat all online net worth numbers as unverified.
Lizzy Yarnold’s Skeleton Career: How Did She Make History?
Gold at Sochi 2014
Yarnold burst onto the Olympic stage at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games, winning the women’s skeleton gold medal with a total time of 3:52.89. She became only the second British athlete to win a Winter Olympic gold in a sliding sport, following Shelley Rudman’s silver in 2006.
Defending the Title at PyeongChang 2018
Four years later in PyeongChang, Yarnold defended her title – a feat no British winter Olympian had ever achieved. She finished 0.45 seconds ahead of Germany’s Jacqueline Lölling, cementing her status as the most successful British winter Olympian by gold medals. She officially announced her retirement from competitive skeleton in 2019, transitioning away from the sport she had dominated.
Is Lizzy Yarnold Returning for the 2026 Olympics?
Retirement Status and Public Statements
Yarnold has made no indication that she is considering a return to competition. She retired in 2019 and has since built a full-time career in coaching and media. During both the 2022 and 2026 Winter Olympics, she worked for the BBC as a pundit analysing skeleton and luge events, not as a competitor.
Potential Involvement as a Coach or Mentor
While she is unlikely to slide again, Yarnold continues to contribute to British skeleton through mentoring young athletes and her work with the British Olympic Association. In 2023 she was featured by the Open University discussing how she supports the next generation of Olympians.
From Olympian to Coach: Lizzy Yarnold’s Journey
- : Born in Sevenoaks, Kent (source)
- : Wins first Olympic gold in Sochi (source)
- : Defends title in PyeongChang (source)
- : Official retirement from skeleton (source)
- : Transitions to executive coaching and mentoring (source)
- : Welcomed third daughter; continues as BBC pundit and coach (source)
Clarifying the Rumors: Weight Gain and Comeback
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Body changes after retirement are normal; Yarnold has not reported any medical issue. | Whether she personally addressed “weight gain” directly or if the discussion is based on secondary summaries. |
| She has stated she is retired and is not training for the 2026 Olympics. | Whether she might take on a coaching role for Team GB skeleton in the future. |
| Her income comes from coaching, speaking, and punditry. | No verified net worth figure; all online estimates are speculative. |
Analysis: Why Lizzy Yarnold’s Post-Olympic Journey Matters
Yarnold’s transition from elite sport to executive coaching is one of the more complete career pivots seen among British winter athletes. Rather than staying in sport in a traditional coaching capacity, she earned an EMCC qualification and now works in the corporate sector helping leaders manage change. Her openness about becoming a mother of three while building a second career provides a real-world example of life after elite performance.
She has also remained visible through BBC broadcasts, mentoring roles, and social media, which keeps her relevant to a public that still associates her with Olympic glory. That ongoing presence partly explains the persistent online questions about her personal life and finances.
Sources and Quotes on Lizzy Yarnold’s Career
“I work one-to-one with leaders and teams who are navigating periods of change.”
— Lizzy Yarnold, Executive Coach profile on lizzyyarnold.com
Key biographical data is drawn from Wikipedia and the Team GB profile. Her current professional activities are detailed on her LinkedIn page and personal website. Her mother-of-three status is confirmed on her coaching site, and personal updates are shared on her Instagram account. The Open University also profiled her mentoring work with young athletes.
What’s Next for Lizzy Yarnold?
No evidence suggests a return to skeleton competition. Yarnold appears fully committed to her coaching practice, her family, and occasional media work. She may expand into written content or further public speaking. For now, her story remains one of successful reinvention after sport. For a look at another champion navigating life after Olympic glory, read the Belinda Bencic – Olympic Champion and 2025 Comeback Story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lizzy Yarnold
What is Lizzy Yarnold’s height?
She is 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in).
Is Lizzy Yarnold still on Instagram?
Yes, she posts regularly at @therealyarnold.
When did Lizzy Yarnold retire from skeleton?
She retired in 2019, after the 2018 Winter Olympics.
How many Olympic medals does she have?
Two gold medals – both in skeleton (2014 and 2018).
Does Lizzy Yarnold have a husband?
No credible, publicly available source confirms her spouse’s name or marital status.
What is her net worth?
No verified net worth figure exists. Online estimates are unsubstantiated.
Will she compete in the 2026 Olympics?
No. She is retired and works as a BBC pundit for the 2026 Games, not as an athlete.
What does an executive coach do?
Yarnold helps corporate leaders and teams navigate change through one-to-one coaching and tailored programmes.
Does she still work with British skeleton athletes?
Yes, through mentoring and her role on the British Olympic Association Athletes’ Commission.
Where can I find her book or publications?
She has not published a book as of 2025. Her insights appear primarily in interviews and coaching content.
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Rebecca Marsh is Managing Editor at BritView.uk, running the daily news list and publishing schedule.