Kayla Rae Reid Lotche, the former wife of Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, opened up about her struggles with Postpartum Depression, following the birth of their son, Caiden, in June 2017, before the couple was even married.
In May 2018, Kayla shared her experience, describing the feelings of extreme exhaustion and a sense of being “dead inside”.
Despite having a completely healthy baby, she suffered from isolation and guilt. Thankfully, before it worsened, she took a bold step forward and sought help.
According to Kayla, she went through medication, joined online support groups, and engaged in personal mental health trainings for gradual recovery.
She has also mentioned the importance of recognizing the signs of PPD, which are becoming more common in this generation, and also urges mothers to seek appropriate treatment in time.
Ryan and Kalya Are No Longer Together
Ryan and Kalya also have two more children together, Liv (born in 2020), and Georgia (born in 2022), and thankfully, she didn’t experience such problems after giving birth to her second and third children.
Despite having three kids together and being married for over seven years, the couple has parted ways as of June 2025.
Kayla filed for divorce on March 25, 2024, as their marriage was reportedly “irretrievably broken”.
Following the divorce, she reflected on what she had gone through via an Instagram Post.
First you survive, then you thrive!
You’re stepping into the best chapter of your life; you just have to heal first.
Sometimes God allows the betrayal because it leads to the breakthrough.
Most people have no idea what i’ve endured. Ignore their options. Truth Always Reveals Itself.
Divorce isn’t The End of my Story it’s the beginning of my rebirth.
I Didn’t Choose to be broken, but i’m Choosing to Rebuild.
These sentiments suggest the trust issues and personal challenges she went through that eventually led to the couple’s split.
Ryan Lochte’s struggles with substance abuse, after the 2023 car accident, were also a significant part of the divorce, along with financial challenges. The couple had nearly $270,000 in debt, unpaid taxes, and outstanding medical bills.
In a July 2025 interview, the Olympic gold medalist stated that he didn’t want their marriage to end and denied cheating in their relationship.
The case took a wild turn in September 2025, when Kayla filed another case alleging Ryan had used drugs in front of their kids and even driven them to school while being intoxicated.
In response to the claims, Ryab said, “I am not denying that I used drugs in my home, but I adamantly deny ever using drugs in front of or around my children, and I have never driven them while intoxicated. At times, I would rest in my truck instead of going inside — not because I was impaired, but because the home environment had become overwhelming and very toxic and I needed a moment to collect myself before walking in.”
According to experts, Ryan’s past history with drugs will be a key factor when deciding on child custody.
In Case You Don’t Know
- Ryan Lochte has competed in four Olympics (2004, 2008, 2012, 2016) and has won a total of 12 medals (6 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze).
- Kayla Rae Reid, the former Playboy Model, currently works as a real estate agent at Gainesville, FL, Realtor.
- Ryan currently holds the world record in the 200-meter individual medley and has 42 medals in World Championships, Pan American Games, and Pan Pacific Championships, excluding the Olympics.
