Most people know Clay Travis for his loud takes on sports and politics, his massive Outkick empire, or taking over the airwaves for Rush Limbaugh. But whenever his personal life pops up in the headlines, there is one phrase that usually tags along: cheerleader Clay Travis wife.
The label is technically accurate, but it's also a massive oversimplification.
Lara Travis did indeed spend time on the sidelines for the Tennessee Titans. She's also a Vanderbilt law grad, an advocate for the dance community, and a mother of three who recently went back to finish a degree she started decades ago. Honestly, her story is a lot more interesting than just being a "cheerleader wife" in the shadow of a media firebrand.
The Sideline Days: More Than Just Game Day
Lara is originally from Michigan. She grew up with a deep passion for dance, which is really where the whole "cheerleader" narrative begins. Before she ever set foot in Nashville, she was already a serious athlete in the dance world. She performed for the university dance teams at both Oakland University and the University of Michigan.
She wasn't just doing it for fun. Lara actually studied at the Alvin Ailey School in New York City. That’s elite-level stuff. When she eventually tried out for the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders, it wasn't about the "glamour" of the NFL as much as it was about finding a professional outlet for a skill she’d spent her whole life honing.
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She has been vocal about defending the profession, too. In her writing for Outkick, she’s pointed out that being an NFL cheerleader isn't just about looking good in a uniform; it's about community service, insane practice schedules, and being a brand ambassador. Basically, it’s a grueling part-time job that requires the discipline of a professional athlete.
Meeting Clay: The Vanderbilt Law Connection
The "how they met" story is pure Nashville.
Clay and Lara were both 1Ls (first-year students) at Vanderbilt University Law School. Imagine two stressed-out law students in the early 2000s, buried in Torts and Civil Procedure textbooks. That’s where the spark happened.
Clay graduated in 2004, and the couple married that same year. But their paths after graduation took a bit of a turn. While Clay eventually pivoted from law to sports writing and media, Lara’s journey with the legal profession was a bit more of a slow burn.
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- She completed her first year of law school.
- She realized she didn't necessarily want to practice law at that time.
- She pivoted to education, earning a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling from Vanderbilt in 2007.
For years, people assumed she’d left the law behind for good to raise their three sons—Nicholas, Nash, and Lincoln. But Lara had unfinished business.
The 22-Year Degree: A Major Life Pivot
In a move that surprised a lot of people who only follow the family through Clay’s Twitter feed, Lara went back to Vanderbilt Law School to finish what she started.
In May 2023, she officially graduated.
Clay shared the news on his show, noting that she had stepped away from her law degree 22 years prior. It’s a pretty relatable story, honestly. Life gets in the way. You have kids, your spouse’s career takes off, and your own goals get put on the back burner. Seeing a "former cheerleader" and mother of three walk across that stage two decades later was a powerful moment that humanized the family for a lot of fans and critics alike.
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Life in the Public Eye
Being married to one of the most polarizing figures in media isn't exactly a walk in the park. Clay Travis isn't known for holding back, and that means Lara is often thrust into the spotlight by association.
She mostly stays out of the day-to-day political fray. You won’t see her getting into shouting matches on cable news. Instead, she’s occasionally contributed pieces to Outkick, usually focusing on topics like the reality of cheerleading or parenting.
The family lives in Nashville, and while Clay is busy building a media conglomerate, Lara seems to be the one keeping the wheels on the bus at home—while now navigating a second act in her professional life.
What to take away from Lara Travis's Story
If you’re looking for the "cheerleader Clay Travis wife" because you want a tabloid story, you’re probably going to be disappointed. Her life is a mix of high-level athletics, academic persistence, and the standard chaos of raising three boys.
- Persistence pays off: Finishing a law degree after a 20-year gap is no small feat. It’s a reminder that career paths aren't always linear.
- Labels are lazy: Calling her just a "former cheerleader" ignores her master’s degree, her law degree, and her background in professional dance instruction.
- Balance is key: Despite her husband's loud public persona, she has maintained a relatively private and focused personal life.
If you’re following the Travis family, the best way to keep up is through their occasional joint appearances on his programs or through Lara’s rare but insightful guest columns. Her recent law school graduation suggests she might be stepping into a new professional phase, so keep an eye out for her name in legal or advocacy circles in the Nashville area.