Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Ray.
Taylor, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It’s 2013, I’m 18 years old and preparing for my freshman year at Sam Houston State University. I thought I had the world at my fingertips. I was finally free from my parent’s rules and excited to begin this new chapter of life. I joined a sorority, made countless new friends, maintained a solid GPA, and was living the college dream!
In the blink of an eye, this glamourous life came crashing down around me. Before I knew it, I had spent nearly a year in an abusive relationship that resulted in shoulder surgery and rape. When I finally had the courage to tell my family the truth, my college experience came to a screeching halt and I was forced to move home for my safety. To top it off, my parents insisted that I work for my brother at his quick service restaurant less than a mile away from my high school. As you can imagine, I was completely devastated and humiliated to be back home.
Over the next two years, I ate myself into obesity. Food became my drug of choice and coping mechanism. I gained 90 pounds and lost control of my life. I tried EVERYTHING to lose the weight but no matter how clean I ate or how much I worked out, I couldn’t lose a pound. I became severely depressed and had even contemplated suicide at just 21 years old.
In July 2017, I weighed in at 241 pounds and decided something had to change immediately. Through tears of shame and humiliation, I told my parents that I wanted to seek out surgical options to take my life back. To my pleasant surprise, they were incredibly supportive and understanding. The next day, I scheduled an appointment for a consultation with a bariatric surgeon.
August 16th, 2017, I had gastric sleeve surgery and changed my life forever. If you are not familiar with this procedure, it is when they remove more than half of your stomach. When it is all said and done, patients are left with a tummy the size of an egg in the shape of a banana.
This is not an easy surgery, and not just anybody can have it. You must qualify through several different tests, take a four-hour psychological evaluation and attend nutrition classes. The pain from surgery is comparable to a c-section and includes a two-day hospital stay with strict diet plans. The first day you are not allowed to eat or drink absolutely anything, then you move on to two weeks of the full liquid diet (no carbonation, caffeine or sugar allowed), followed by two weeks of pureed food and two weeks of soft foods.
For the first three months following surgery, I wholeheartedly regretted my choice. I could hardly eat, my gallbladder was failing and needed to be removed, and I had a laundry list of crazy rules to follow. For example, I can no longer gulp water, I cannot eat and drink within 30 minutes of each other, I have to take special vitamins for the rest of my life, if I eat a little too much I experience pain and vomiting, sugar makes me violently sick, I have to get weekly B12 shots, I developed irritable bowel syndrome, and so much more but you get the gist.
It is now August 2018 and I have successfully lost 110 pounds, graduated college, began working full time doing marketing, began my own business and have taken my life back from the person I felt had stolen it from me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My advice to all young ladies is to be yourself, believe in yourself, and LOVE yourself. We live in an age where the world revolves around social media. It is imperative to realize that what we see posted on our newsfeed is someone’s highlight reel. They are only posting what they want you to see! It is not a true depiction of their life and therefor you can’t compare yourself to them! IT IS TOXIC.
I believe that nothing worth having in life comes easy, but you cannot let that defeat you. No matter what journey you are on, there will be challenges! Every obstacle or set back you face is only going to make you stronger! Just a couple of years ago I didn’t see a purpose in living, but today I am proud of my past because it has shaped me into the woman I am and it has allowed me to help other young women. No matter where you are in your journey, keep pushing because it is so worth it!
Please tell us about your business.
For the past couple of years, I served as the Hospitality Director and Marketing Assistant for a local Chick-fil-A restaurant and served as a Grand Opening Marketing Team Member for corporate. After I graduated from college with my Bachelor of Business Administration in May, I decided it was time to branch out and gain more experience. I currently serve as the Marketing Director for Planet Beach The Woodlands/Magnolia as well as being an ambassador for Green HoriZen CBD & Wellness products.
I believe that I set myself apart through my desire and love for helping and serving others. We live in a cruel world where everyone is fighting their own battles. Being kind, sharing a smile and listening go a very long way! If you can brighten someone else’s day, why not do so?
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I feel that the biggest barrier to female leadership is ourselves. Society tells us what women should be rather than embracing who we are. I believe that many of us are guilty of comparing ourselves to one another when we really should be working with each other. Believe in yourself and empower others to do the same. I believe it is imperative to be involved, attend networking events, support other businesses, and take risks! Most importantly, believe in yourself and believe that you can achieve your goals!
Contact Info:
- Email: Tray6@liberty.edu
- Instagram: @Tayy_rayy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/taytay4672
Image Credit:
Alexa Rodriguez Photography, Frank Boyd Photography, Alexander Cross Photography
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