Hailey Lott Williams: The Breath Between Brilliance & Grace

From USC love story to NFL wife, meditation leader, and soon-to-be mother, Hailey Lott Williams is redefining what power looks like in the spotlight.

Photos by Zero Five Photography

There’s a kind of presence you feel before you even see it and a gentleness that says “I am grounded.” When Hailey steps into a room, that calm energy moves with her. It’s subtle at first, but unmistakable. Like breath before motion… peace before the fire.

At just 15 years old, Hailey was diagnosed with clinical depression. A challenging revelation that ended up becoming the beginning of her healing journey.

“When I first began my journey," she says. "I saw myself as something to fix with self care, and now I know I am whole and complete exactly as I am. I use self care to remind me of my own wholeness, and get support in whatever self care and self love I am practicing.”

That shift, from correction to reverence, is the foundation of how she lives, leads, and loves today.

“Grounded in the Chaos”

Hailey teaches meditation and breathwork not because she mastered peace, but because she once deeply needed it. Movement, nourishing foods, mindful consumption (yes, even on social media), and sleep hygiene form her daily rituals.

“For me, going back to basics has been the best way to strengthen my mental health,” she shares. “Daily meditation and breathwork is key for me to support my own journey with mental health but it just starts there. I also make sure I’m moving my body, consuming things that give me energy whether it’s food or even social media, and making sure I have great sleep hygiene.”

Today, she actively leads mindfulness sessions for the Seahawks Dancers, Seahawks Women’s Association, and young female athletes helping them understand that strength doesn’t require force. Sometimes, it’s found in the pause.

Hailey + Leo: A Love Story Rooted in Simplicity & Depth

Hailey and her husband, Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams, met at a USC frat party in 2013. She laughs when she recalls their first interaction:

“He told me he was going to the NFL early and I thought, ‘that meant nothing to me. I just thought he was cute.’”

From futons with no Wi-Fi and nights living off frozen pizza, to a breathtaking Caribbean wedding featured in Town & Country, theirs is a love story built not on perfection, but presence.

“It felt so sacred to have time alone and practice my breathwork before I went down the aisle," she recalls. "Soon after, I met Leo. Just him and I, and having the moment together where we looked into each other eyes and just felt so grateful for all that had brought us into that moment. We both wept tears of joy and felt so much love. I will never forget that.”

Now, as they celebrate life’s next big chapter, expecting their first child, Hailey’s intention for this season is beautifully simple: "For this next season of life, my intention is to be content. We have so many moving parts in our life and it can be overwhelming. But as long as I’m going back to the basics, and being content and creating peace within the chaos, I know myself and my family will be good."

The Quiet Epicenter of the WAGs Sisterhood

When Hailey and Leo arrived in Seattle two seasons ago, she immediately noticed how isolating NFL life could be for women.

“As women we’re away from our families, often moving to cities we've never been to with people we’ve never met,” she explains, “and navigating that on our own, can seem daunting. The sisterhood within the NFL is so important to me because this life can be so unpredictable, and having women who understand my experience makes me feel like I can get through any tough situation we may face.”

In an 11-year league career, she’s hosted watch parties, bible studies, and built an unspoken support system for the women in the Seahawks community.

“...our strength is something we can always tap into. So much of what we consume as women has us believing we need to be fixed or changed, and activating your power means our power only needs us to recognize that it already exists within us.”

Her mother, once a model, taught her grace, elegance, and emotional presence. But Hailey forged her version of power through growth, discomfort, and deep spiritual practice.

Creativity as Ritual

Art, travel, and spiritual exploration are deeply woven into Hailey’s wellness practice.“Creativity is a driving force part of my inner practice of self love,” she says. “I’m always wanting to find different rituals and experiences that get me out of my head and into my body. I have to explore and be creative with what I do because I’m constantly changing and growing.”

She smiles recalling one of those creative moments. “Funny enough my husband is extremely creative as well and he was the one who surprised me with the pottery date night!”

That lighthearted side of their connection shows up often. When asked who’s better at Pickleball, she laughs, “Definitely Leo! I guess he’s a little more athletic than me.”

As for the fictional couple that best embodies their love story? Hailey chose Simba and Nala “…because we were so young and in love. We’ve both always had this gentle way of caring about each other and use our love as a grounding point no matter where life takes us.”

Looking ahead, their dream destination in 2026 is Okinawa, Japan, drawn to the beauty and beach energy. “We fell in love with the city life in Japan a few years back and we’re excited to see what the beach life is like.”

Future Focused, Yet Fully Present

With all paths open, motherhood, expansion of her breathwork programs, travel, possible retreats, she returns to one word: Contentment.

Not stagnation. Not settling.

Content in who she is becoming.

NFM Note

In our first Women of Style & Game issue, we showcased women who redefine power. Some roar. Some rise softly.

Hailey Lott Williams is the latter. Living proof that elegance without ego, leadership without noise, and healing without concealment stand the test of time.

Like a breath before the first step, and how our strength doesn’t need to be installed. Only recognized.

Serene. Grounded. Becoming.