#139 – When Silver Feels Heavy: Rach Taylor on Olympic Pressure, Suppressed Emotions & Life After Sport
If you want to get support directly from us to remove your repetitive self-doubt, join our FREE community: The Sport Is Life Movement - https://www.facebook.com/groups/sportislife
Are you ready to find your “Why”? Join the Purpose Training here https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520159328628207
Episode Summary:
In this powerful episode of Sport Is Life, Olympic silver medallist Rach Taylor joins Ian Hawkins to share the exhilarating highs and painful lows of elite sport. Ra reflects on her unforgettable Sydney 2000 Olympics experience—racing in front of 100,000 roaring Australians and managing the emotional crash that followed a silver-medal finish.
Now a life-after-sport coach, Rach opens up about the challenges of identity loss, emotional suppression, and the long journey to rediscover purpose and passion. This is a must-listen for athletes, coaches, and anyone navigating major life transitions. Rach’s story is raw, insightful, and ultimately uplifting, offering practical wisdom for embracing vulnerability, finding your second mountain, and turning life experience into service.
About the Guest:
Rach Taylor is an Olympic silver medallist and former Australian national rowing team representative who knows firsthand the challenges of transitioning to a life after elite sport. After retiring from rowing, she (eventually) successfully reinvented herself - building a 15+ year career in senior HR leadership roles across organisations including KPMG, Virgin Australia and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Today, Rach blends her elite sporting mindset, corporate experience, and coaching expertise to guide athletes through the complex transition out of high-performance sport. As a Life After Sport Coach, she helps current and retiring athletes navigate identity shifts, redefine purpose, and build fulfilling post-sport careers and lives.
She also works with professionals and leaders seeking clarity, resilience, and reinvention - bringing a unique mix of lived experience, insight, and commercial savvy to her coaching. Known for her no-BS honesty, warmth, and deep empathy, Rach helps people realign with who they are - and what truly matters next.
Rach lives in Western Australia with her two teenage sons and works with clients globally.
Email: rach@rachtaylorcoaching.com
Website: https://rachtaylorcoaching.com/life-after-sport/
LinkedIn (13) Rach Taylor OLY | LinkedIn
About the Host:
Ian Hawkins, host of "Sport Is Life," is dedicated to showing how sports can transform lives. With extensive experience as an athlete, a coach, PE teacher, community volunteer, and manager at Fox Sports, Ian brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. His journey began in his backyard, mentored by his older brother, and has since evolved into coaching elite athletes and business leaders. Ian's commitment to sports and personal development is evident in his roles as a performance coach and active community member. Through "Sport Is Life," Ian shares inspiring stories and valuable lessons to help listeners apply sports principles to all areas of life.
If you’re working too hard too quieten the headnoise, check out my Performance Meditation training here - https://www.ianhawkinscoaching.com/performancemeditation
Join the 2025 Planning Session here https://www.facebook.com/share/1C6AqzhGeY/
If you'd like to take your self-awareness to the next level, Ian is happy to share his personal journaling process—a simple yet powerful tool to help you reflect, grow, and lead with intention. Just send a message to info@ianhawkinscoaching.com to receive your free copy.
Check Me Out On:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianhawkinscoaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianhawkinscoaching
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SportIsLife-IanHawkins
Theme Music Artist:
One Day Kings https://www.instagram.com/onedaykings/
See https://www.captivate.fm/privacy-policy-for-listeners for privacy information.
