Episode 100

full
Published on:

7th Feb 2022

Taylor Milton - Traveling The World One Contract At A Time

Flashback to 2020 and the year is almost over. COVID has made a huge impact on all industries including the world of sports. In this episode, Jacolby Gilliam interviews Taylor Milton about her journey to becoming a pro volleyball player to how she has continued to make positive opportunities during times of adversity. Taylor is an experienced professional volleyball player with a demonstrated history of working in the public relations and communications industry. And, when COVID caused her to stop before the season’s end there was definitely a mix of emotions, especially the feelings of uncertainty. In order to express these emotions among team members, friends and fans, Taylor and her friend, Courtney Felinski, created a space, MATCHPOINT COVID, to encourage athletes to virtually share their emotions so they can virtually experience what is going on and be there for each other. MPC gave these players an opportunity to view volleyball from its different perspective while keeping their dreams uniquely alive. If you wanted to share your story, what will write?

In this episode, Taylor shares her journey of sport realization from childhood till becoming a pro player. Although starting off as a multi-sport athlete, Taylor decided, in high school, to stick with volleyball. Being a lover of so many sports make it very heartbreaking to pick one so, why did Taylor decide to pick volleyball. It’s not an easy journey but it’s been reaffirming and quite fulfilling. She talks about her diverse experiences and how its all aided in shapening her personal and professional life. Regardless of the current situation, Taylor believes that being able to keep that spirit of belonging up makes a huge the difference. 

Key points:

Taylor’s athlete goal as a younger multi-sport athlete and how she went on to achieve it (00:56)

Being athletic over an athlete will make you better 

How Taylor decided that volleyball was what she wanted to 

The club level v the high school level of volleyball why it matters

Taylor’s first recognition and how it affected her performance

The kind of growth she experienced in college and how she was adapt 

Taylor’s advise to her younger self

The decision play pro abroad and what it’s been like so far (18:08)

Impact of COVID on the season

What MATCHPOINTCOVID is and why it was created

Taylor’s future plans and the kind of interesting skills she has been developing during this period

Sometimes, beautiful results spring from bad situation. It doesn’t make the situation better but it definitely enhances our experience. 

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Show artwork for The Started With A Dream Podcast w/ Jacolby Gilliam

About the Podcast

The Started With A Dream Podcast w/ Jacolby Gilliam
The Started With A Dream Podcast w/ Jacolby Gilliam
Every great athlete started with a dream. The Started With A Dream Podcast interviews athletes and the community that supports to share their journey and stories. Unlike most sports podcast this interview series with Jacolby Gilliam isn’t about how big an athlete’s name is but about their journey.

Like most athletes, Jacolby had this big dream growing up about being a Division-I college athlete. Somehow he made that happen. However, it wasn’t the exciting big signing day type story, but the tear his ACL his senior year of high school, let me try to walk-on at my dream University type of story. A lot of other stuff along the way.

His story doesn’t make him special, but it’s his journey. A journey that he thought he was alone on because of the stigma that athletes are supposed to be strong and not show weakness.  He started 9INE POINT with the aspirations to spark a new platform for current and the next generation of athletes.

Basically, something he wishes he had growing up. Society always highlights the glamorous lifestyle of being an athlete but avoids talking about the ups and downs that come as well like the anxiety or depression after a bad injury.

So why this podcast? Because it is a place for YOU to hear stories, tips, and advice from athletes from around the world just being real. While also featuring insight from the community that supports them, coaches, nutritionists, and therapists.

Some of these athletes and supporters are very well known. Some are not known at all and that’s the cool part! 9INE POINT and The Started With A Dream Podcast is the first platform giving a voice to all athletes regardless of "popularity" and the athletic community that supports them. What dream YOU may have, the ups and downs YOU are going through as an athlete, we want to make sure YOU never feel like you’re going through it alone.