Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Burch.
Hi Taylor, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Growing up, I struggled a lot with body image and self-esteem. I was always bigger than other girls my age and did not have the natural athleticism that I saw in my classmates. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school that I really committed to making a change.
I lacked the confidence and the knowledge on how to lose weight, but by being more involved in sports, walking every day, and making changes to my diet, I was able to drastically improve my own health and lose about 80 lbs by my Senior year. As a result, I gained more confidence and a passion for promoting health and wellness in others. This was when I first really fell in love with fitness and decided that I wanted my career to promote the same lifestyle.
After graduating from Truman State University with a BS in Exercise Science and Psychology, I started working as a personal trainer and high school Lacrosse coach. After a few years in the industry, I started branching out and learning other modalities like Pilates and Yoga. I loved the way these styles made me feel more in tune with my own movements and I started seeking out more ways to challenge myself in my workouts.
I first came across a video of Animal Flow in 2018 and was fascinated by the fluidity and control displayed by each person. It was unlike any other bodyweight workout video I had seen, so I immediately signed up to attend the certification class in Chicago.
I instantly fell in love with the way the instructors flowed through each movement and was inspired by the community and how they challenged one another to push themselves. It was completely outside my comfort zone at the time, but with the support and encouragement from other instructors, I was officially hooked.
Since then, I have attended several workshops including a mentorship in Costa Rica with the creator of Animal Flow, Mike Fitch, as well as regional leaders and instructors from all over the world. The experience taught me so much and has provided me with incredible friendships along the way.
One of many unique aspects of Animal Flow is it is structured in such a way that people can communicate and synchronize their movements even without sharing the same language. By using our breath, we can not only control and stabilize our bodies as we move, but we can communicate the tempo and transitions to one another without speaking. The connection formed throughout this practice with yourself and with others is palpable. Practicing and learning with other instructors over the years has continuously motivated me to keep progressing and to help my clients feel empowered through movement as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As we all know, 2020 was a hard year for everyone; especially those with small businesses and industries that depend on face-to-face interactions. I was not able to work at any of my previous jobs during that time and it was the first time in my adult life that I had no idea what my next moves were going to be. I was used to having a very social work environment, and not being surrounded by people every day took a toll on my business as well as my mental health.
Like many other trainers, I was forced to start from scratch and find new ways to accommodate my clients virtually to help them stay consistent at home. Animal Flow was a huge blessing during this time because it was something anyone can do that only requires space to move in. Even further, the Animal Flow community continued to motivate one another and post challenges which gave me something to put my energy into at a time I needed it most.
In December 2020, I graduated with my Masters in Kinesiology with a dual-track in corrective exercise and sports psychology. Since then, I have continued to grow as a coach and instructor and am always striving to learn as much as I can from others in the field. There are so many ways to stay active, and I love using my background to help people find movements they enjoy so that they can feel strong and empowered in their daily lives.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a personal trainer, my goal has always been to help people feel confident in their bodies. After years of hearing stories from female clients about feeling out of place or uncomfortable in the weight room, I realized that in order to accomplish this- gym culture was due for an update.
What started out as a joke with my clients, quickly evolved into an idea for a shirt design. Since society has historically blamed women’s clothing for how they are treated- I figured this was the best way to communicate our message.
Because if they don’t want to say it, I’ll say it for them, “Kindly F*ck Off”.
In addition to empowering women to speak up for themselves, we also support women by donating 10% of profits to the Joyful Heart Foundation. The JHF supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse by providing educational resources as well as working to change legislation in order to ensure justice for survivors.
KFO was started in hope of giving a voice to those who are not always able to speak up for themselves, and we believe the work being done at the JHF supports that same message.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Animal Flow can feel very foreign and uncomfortable the first few times you try it. It is not only testing strength and endurance but our coordination and mind-muscle connection as well. It is natural to want to remain in our comfort zone because it is much easier to stay on auto-pilot than navigate something brand new. Even though we may feel like we have physical or mental limitations holding us back, Animal Flow is the perfect illustration of how consistent practice over time can help us develop past what we previously thought possible.
As an instructor, my job is to help modify each position and movement based on my clients’ needs so that it is accessible for all skill levels. Animal Flow incorporates several foundational movement patterns which means many of the developments made in the learning process will translate to other modalities as well. It is important to focus on the small improvements you see along the way in your mobility, coordination, and strength because that is what helps keep you pushing forward. This is also why the community is such a blessing because everyone remembers what it felt like to first start out and they celebrate one another’s successes as their own.
I used to be so afraid of looking silly or feeling like others were judging me, but feeling that way and doing it anyways is how your brain learns it can face fears head-on and survive them. Each time you push past those feelings of discomfort or anxiety, you become stronger mentally as well as physically. This is by far the most life-changing aspect that both Animal Flow and exercise, in general, have gifted me and is a big part of why I love to get others involved.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kfobrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_burch
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/kfobrand
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCOW0Vn5d9Ad10pDkFCqi74A
- Other: everyform.mypthub.net/
Image Credits
Matthew Burch, Trevor Bennion, and Kate Durye
