Meet Taylor Felix Mcallister | Podcast Host & Sports Broadcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Taylor Felix Mcallister and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Taylor, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After college, really my senior year of college at the University of Southern California, I got into sports broadcasting. I worked at FOX Sports West for 10 years after college, living a dream covering the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Los Angeles Clippers. I learned so much from my experience at FOX, it was filled with many highs & lows but it gave me this foundation in broadcast that was unmatched. I had incredible mentors, from producers to reporters, to executives who gave me hard truths and encouragement which is so necessary in a job like broadcast journalism. I became pregnant with my first baby, my son, in January of 2021 which was still in the height of Covid and the landscape for sports journalism had changed drastically. I worked through my pregnancy in sports, but also took great advice that I had heard along my journey of “create your own content”. I created “Taylor’s Table” which was a short-form cooking show I filmed with my dad & husband and posted to my IGTV at the time. I was getting really amazing traction on my content and great brand opportunities but then I gave birth to my son and my world shifted. I was just not able to keep up with the content like I had before but a fire inside of me was lit. A fire recognizing that creating my own authentic content with my audience was becoming really engaging and giving me opportunities that I didn’t know existed. After my son turned about 9 months, I went back to working in sports and I was working more than ever before. I was filming in-studio 3 days a week, and just really giving my all back to sports journalism because it felt like that’s what I was supposed to do. I then became pregnant with my daughter in December of 2022 and that little fire about creating my own content came back. I continued to work in sports, filming the day before my water broke with my daughter, and when she was here I knew something had to change with work. I knew that I was passionate about motherhood and my new life and I have always wanted to create my own content, be my own boss, and be able to do something that aligns directly with my life. I have always been very into podcasts, and I started throwing around the idea of creating my own podcasts about motherhood. I only talked to my sister about it because I was embarrassed at the thought that people would want to listen to me talk about motherhood and everything that comes with it. But, I felt it in my gut that I should give it my absolute best try, and I have always followed my gut when it comes to work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being in the sports broadcast journalism industry is extremely cutthroat, rigorous, and often isolating. It was something that I never intended on pursuing because I thought the road would be too tough, but when I was awarded an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down I dove into it head first. I learned so many lessons as a sports broadcaster but the two lessons I always share are: 1. be kind to everyone. It seems so silly and obvious but in an industry like sports it’s very high-pressure, fast-paced, and competitive and I observed how many people forgot just to be kind. And in sports, I remember every single person who went out of their way to say hello to me, offer advice, or just smile when things were going South. And of course, I remember those who weren’t as kind but I made a conscious effort at every shoot to be kind to every single person in the room and I truly think it granted me more opportunities. and my second lesson: 2. go with your gut. In sports broadcasting, there is a lot of change, improvisation, memorization, opinions, and factors that come at you as a reporter/ talent and you must learn to trust YOUR gut. I have found that it has always led me in the right direction, on the right path, and to the right people who have always taken care of me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots to eat in dinner LA – The Nice Guy, Mastros, Craig’s, Delilah, Cecconi’s, Eataly
My favorite spots to eat dinner in OC – RH Ocean Grill, Ocean 48, Mastros, Javier’s, A’s Restaurant

Favorite activities- shopping down Rodeo, massage at the Maybourne Beverly Hills, lunch at the Waldorf Astoria, pool day at Beverly Hills Hotel

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has supported me through every single phase of this journey. My husband has been my absolute rock and fearless supporter as I take on new adventures and challenge myself. My sister has been such a driving force for me to follow my passion and stop questioning myself. And my parents, I couldn’t do any of this without them and their support. They will drop everything to help me with my kids, push me to go outside of my comfort zone, and truly lift me up when I am feeling doubtful. I am able to pursue my passion and do something that so aligns with my life because I have the incredible unconditional support of my family.

Instagram: taylor.felix_

Youtube: campchaospodcast

Image Credits
McCall Miller Photography