Stephanie Rice Returns, Embraces Unemployment Joyfully

Stephanie Rice has resurfaced online following a year-long absence and made a surprising personal update. 

The former Olympic swimmer, 38, shared a clip to social media on Wednesday night, in which she told fans she was in a great headspace following some significant life changes.

'A year ago I had a full-time corporate job, two consulting projects and two brand partnerships. Today I have no job, no projects and no partnerships... and honestly, I'm more excited than ever!' Steph began. 

'Let me bring you up to speed on what I have been up to the past 18 months, and why I have taken a year off posting.'

The Brisbane-born athlete added that she had 'stretched' herself thin over the past year due to taking on too many commitments, so now she had shifted her priorities to ensure she put herself and her family first.

'In the space of a year, I got married, had my honeymoon, moved my husband to , set up our life here... banks, rentals, visas, all of those. Honestly, last year I felt really stretched!' she added.

'I was at the top of my capacity. I really wanted to do everything well, there was so much to do... I was navigating everything in real time.'

She added that the strong Christian faith she shares with her pastor husband Mark Lassey was part of what had helped her go back online and once again interact with her followers.

'Since the start of the year, God has really been speaking to me about sharing again. I don't just want to share the highlights, I want to share the real-time faith journey. The up and the downs... such a rollercoaster!' Steph said.

'Right now I have no source of income. Even though there are a lot of unknowns, I feel more excited than ever before!'

The post was Steph's first public life update since she tied the knot with her partner Mark Lassey in January 2025,

The former Olympic swimmer took to Instagram to reveal that she exchanged vows with the Aussie pastor, 47, during a vineyard ceremony in his native .

The couple met at the start of 2024 and got engaged in September after seven months of dating.

For the ceremony, Steph looked every inch the blushing bride in a gorgeous strapless satin gown which featured a long train that billowed out behind her.