Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Reese.
Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! Thanks for much for having me! I am a certified fitness professional with the American Council on Exercise and former collegiate athlete from Middle Georgia.
Basketball was my means of escaping everything that weighed on me in my childhood, and I worked so hard at it that I earned a full ride scholarship to play in another state starting in 2015. It was challenging for me to be away from home, and the game that I loved wasn’t so much fun anymore. I wound up hurting my knee and I hung up my jersey soon after. I completed my degree in 2019, but I felt defeated and betrayed by my own body for the first time. Any committed athlete will tell you that, once the ball stops bouncing, it feels like starting from the very beginning of life. So, I dedicated myself to physical fitness to improve my physical condition and my mental well-being.
I had a newfound joy and peace as I got better and better, and I wanted to share that with other people. Being a doctor’s daughter, it seemed natural to consider going into a career in medicine. So, I tried my hand at being a medical assistant. I learned a lot in that field, but I knew that fitness was my passion. While I was experiencing the medical field, I met someone who I cared about and I moved to Savannah at his invitation in the summer of 2023. I was open to the idea of moving in with somebody, and I was also open to the possibility that it wouldn’t work. However, I was in no way prepared for what became my living situation.
Volatility replaced my peace, and I found myself hospitalized just a week before Christmas in 2023. At this point, I had begun to fear for my life and something had to change. I considered moving back home and starting over–again–but I could not do that to myself. I had to keep going. I had been in Savannah for about six months by then, and I had built a solid following in fitness. My business operated not just in Savannah, but it had expanded to Skidaway Island as well. I could not turn my back on what I was building, and I promised myself years ago that I would not end up feeling like a failure again.
With the help of the court system, I broke my lease and moved to a much safer place away from my abuser. It was hard at first, but I trusted the plan I made and I trusted God to be with me. Now, in the summer of 2025, my business has expanded even more and Statesboro and Pooler are included in my business operations. I am beyond grateful that I didn’t turn my back on Savannah. Not only have I found peace, but I have also found success. And I still feel like this is just the beginning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth. I struggled with believing in myself on more than one occasion. New environments and new mountains to climb made me doubt myself as an athlete, and I look back and can see where I may have given up too soon or I didn’t work hard enough. There were also times when I felt stuck and I struggled with my mental health as an adult while grappling with childhood trauma. I had to learn to give a little more and push a little harder, especially when I was met with the most resistance. I had to develop a different mindset and become a different version of me if I was going to thrive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a dedicated fitness professional. I started as a certified personal trainer, and I expanded to assisted stretching and Pilates. I also work with elders who experience different challenges like Parkinson’s and trying to maintain independence with active aging. I am most proud of the progress I have made with my seniors. I’ve helped them find the fun and joy of movement while decreasing their risk of falling and improving their strength and stamina. These people have given so much to their families and communities in their lifetime, and it is such an honor to give back to them.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
The American Council on Exercise has such an amazing library of resources, and a couple of books that have helped bring the best out of me include The Four Agreements and The Go-Giver.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.builtstrong.org
- Instagram: coachtaylor.pt
