Thursday, August 8, 2024

Mile 40 Pod Ep 92 Featuring Taylor Rae Almonte-Brown: Amplifying A Call for Reform Through Movement

Episode Promotional Partner: Kreatures of Habit Use Code: Mile40 at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.kreaturesofhabit.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 15% off a one-time purchase OR the first subscription order payment. Taylor is a true polymath - an actress, fitness professional, activist, and academic who has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on the world. In this episode, we delve into Taylor's journey, from her childhood experiences growing up as the daughter of immigrants in New Jersey, to her time performing on stage, to her current devotion as an advocate for marginalized communities. We discuss the experiences in her life that inspired her to focus on making small, meaningful differences in people's lives. We also explore the importance of having a strong support system, and how Taylor's husband and her close friends and family have been instrumental in her personal and professional growth. Taylor shares her passion for engaging with and advocating for marginalized communities. She has used her platform to create spaces for important conversations, and her podcast has become an evolution of that mission. Taylor also opens up about some of the challenges she faced along the way, from dealing with societal pressures and industry expectations around beauty and appearance, to the self-doubt and questioning that can arise even when speaking about one's own lived truths. Throughout the episode, Taylor's resilience, authenticity, and dedication to making a positive impact shine through. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of believing in oneself, embracing one's true identity, and using one's platform to uplift and empower others. Taylor Rae Almonte-Roman is a Brooklyn-based host, creator, athlete, and activist. Her social impact work meets at the intersection of racial justice and wellness. After almost a decade as a professional boxing and strength trainer, Taylor co-founded ACTIV-ISM, an anti-racism wellness company that amplifies marginalized voices and educates their allies. She has worked professionally as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educator and led training and programs for companies like Starbucks, ClassPass, Rumble, Reebok, and more. Alongside this work, Taylor has also leveraged her social media platforms to create major campaigns for fitness and lifestyle brands. Taylor is currently an FP Movement Ambassador for 2024. Career highlights include presenting for the Reebok Human Rights Awards, a feature on the cover of SELF magazine, and co-authoring ACTIV-ATING: Your Vocabulary, a book on having tough conversations about race and racism. Taylor is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Columbia University at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights with a concentration on Mass Incarceration. Her research is on access to outdoor recreation and exercise for women of color in New York correctional facilities. She has been the Assistant Director at Just Ideas since 2022, a program at Columbia that educates occupants of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. She also recently taught a semester-long course inside the Taconic Correctional Facility as part of the Justice-in-Education Initiative at Columbia University. Taylor utilizes her unique skill set to empower and mobilize those who are most vulnerable as she advocates for lasting change. Her podcast, On the Outside, launched in January 2024. More on Mile 40: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mile40podcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: @mile_40_podcast @bishoy_tadros YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BishoyTadros Purchase Your Copy of Break Barriers OR Audacious Today: Use Code MILE40 for 20% off: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bishoytadros.com