We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taylor Talley. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
The answer is both. I am walking down a path not knowing where it leads…and sometimes not knowing what my true vision is for the destination. Or is there a real destination at all? I find myself wondering if there will ever be a time in my life that I feel content enough to stop chasing a dream. The thought of that makes me ache a little so I doubt it. I much prefer to stay busy, stay humble, and constantly push onward. I never want to stop wandering toward my goals and dreams because chasing those gives me a much deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Taylor. I am a registered nurse, NASM-certified personal trainer, and certified nutrition coach. I own Dahlia Fitness, a brand focused on helping women achieve the results they want by finding comfort in the uncomfortable. Dahlia Fitness teaches women how to reframe uncomfortable thoughts and activities to push through and achieve their goals.
There is a mindset shift that happens when you bet on yourself and you win – you become more confident, more successful, and you realize you can do much more than you ever thought possible. For my clients, this mindset shift starts at the weight bench or with a set of dumbbells, then it extends into other parts of their lives. It’s an exciting transformation to watch a woman bloom and work towards her dreams!
I also help women find a healthy balance of work and play. I use my education as a nurse and my nutrition certification to teach my clients more about their health and how to build healthy habits. We make a plan together and each client is unique. We start making changes at a pace they are comfortable with. Each small change builds up over time into lifestyle changes that last. It is my hope that each client feels supported and cared for in their journey.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This is an interesting question. To be honest, the world has always told me who I have to be. I do not remember a time in my childhood when I felt free from the expectations of society. My family has always told me I needed to have a plan for my life.
Throughout middle school and high school, I focused on working and making good grades. I worked small odd-and-end jobs to make money so I could shop at the mall with my friends. My parents divorced and my mother worked three jobs to take care of us. It was not easy, but I learned the value of money, how to save, and how to work hard for the things I wanted.
I spent my twenties living away from home. I don’t believe I truly found myself during that time. I decided to get my nursing degree after finishing my bachelor’s degree in psychology. I made so many achievements during that time that I never stopped to congratulate myself for.
Now in my thirties, I am proud to say that no one tells me what to do. A favorite movie quote of mine: “No one puts Baby in a corner.” Finding myself is a limitless journey that I love. I don’t believe in holding the same expectations for myself that society does. I choose happiness instead! I work towards the dreams I love, not the ones that the world tells me I should have.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me the slogan of my brand: “Find comfort in the uncomfortable.” Suffering can be painful, but it also holds great value in our lives. There’s what I call the “bad” suffering, which is what most people think of first – suffering that cannot have any positive outcome. Then there’s “good” suffering – the suffering that leads to change, that pushes us forward, that causes something good to happen in exchange. This suffering is valuable.
Most people to do not make lasting changes until their “bad” suffering becomes so great that they cannot go on without making a change. This is the point where the magic happens – a mindset shift has the opportunity to take hold, and it is up to each person to decide their own threshold and take advantage of the opportunity for change. When you change your mindset to appreciate suffering because you know it will reward you with good outcomes, you become a more resilient person.
I believe that success cannot teach resiliency. Successful people have become resilient through suffering, not without it. Success can’t teach us how to stay uncomfortable so we can grow, but success can be a result of leaning into that discomfort.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe that everyone deserves to have equity in fitness. The women I’ve spoken to about fitness often feel anxious about joining a gym, or they buy a membership and never use it because of self-limiting beliefs. Some women believe that they can only use machines because barbells and dumbbells are for the men. I strive for everyone, especially women, to feel empowered in the gym. I won’t ever stop giving women a voice in the fitness space. They deserve to have the knowledge, time, and access to take care of their health.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that healing is very intentional. You don’t just wake up one day with all your childhood wounds gone and suddenly you’re a secure individual. We all have something we can heal from. If you commit to healing your trauma, it is a lifelong journey. It’s difficult, but the journey is worth it.
For me, healing started in the gym and expanded into being intentional in my everyday life. Most people think of exercise like it’s a recreational activity. It’s much more than that. Finishing a hard workout is you betting on yourself every time and before you know it, it grows to be a habit in other areas of your life, too.
Through taking time to focus on my own healing, I gained the confidence to start my own business, let go of what and who is not good for me, and set healthy boundaries. Looking back, the first seed planted was me betting on myself in the gym.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dahliafitness.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/meet_dahlia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61576596359179
- Other: http://bsky.app/profile/dahlia-fit.bsky.social
Image Credits
Candace Brown
David Ayala
