Taylor Kennedy is a talented, young sports journalist whose career is off to a blazing start, despite some early adversity. He joins us on this episode to share his inspiring journey through the world of sports journalism and mental health.

 

The Journey: From Panic Attacks to Professional Excellence

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Keeping with that theme, Taylor shares openly about his experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. In our conversation, Taylor speaks candidly about facing these challenges head-on and the strength he found in vulnerability. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out and seeking support when needed, as well as the impact that mentorship and shared experiences can have on our lives.

 

Taylor's passion for sports, sparked by his father's influence, shines through as he talks about his current job, covering regional sports for his state’s largest newspaper. You’ll hear the pride he takes in creating lasting memories for young athletes. Through anecdotes from Taylor's own days of scholastic sports, listeners are treated to heartwarming stories of camaraderie and the life lessons imparted by coaches. In a heartfelt closing chapter, Taylor recounts the transformative mentorship he received from Tony Caridi and the invaluable guidance he soaked up during his remarkable five-year stint at MetroNews Network.

 

More About Our Wise Guest - Taylor Kennedy

Taylor Kennedy is a sports reporter and columnist for the Charleston Gazette-Mail under the HD Media umbrella. Taylor's primary coverage area is the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia, where he focuses upon high school sports, with an occasional splash in WVU and Marshall college athletics. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports.

 

Taylor has worked alongside a few of West Virginia's most influential media icons, including Tony Caridi, Hoppy Kercheval and Fred Persinger. He served for several years as Producer of the podcast “Three Guys Before the Game.” Taylor is a graduate of West Virginia University. He resides in Charleston, West Virginia.

 

Resources

Connect with Taylor on Facebook

Three Guys Before the Game podcast webpage

Charleston Gazette-Mail website: prep sports

 

 

Credits

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Episode Chapters

[0:05:49] - How Skip and Taylor are connected; youth sports; impact of coaches

[0:08:35] - Arriving early to the gym or ball field; taking in the scene

[0:11:17] - Taylor’s pivotal post on Facebook; sharing with vulnerability

[0:13:22] - Navigating panic attacks and mental health

[0:22:30] - Taylor shares his main thing wisdom lesson

[0:24:22] - Mentorship and gratitude; a father and another "father figure" emerges

[0:29:20] - Saturdays with our fathers; WVU football on the radio

[0:34:25] - Shattering the stigma: caring for our mental wellness