Meet Taylor Rochestie: Professional Athlete, Author, Speaker

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

Hi Taylor, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is my mindset and positive filter on life. I have reprogrammed success in order to define it on my own terms. I am in the pursuit of success through happiness, not happiness through success. This keeps the focus on the journey, my goals and aspirations, instead of the outcome or giving in to external influences and pressure. In order to live my best life, and create the world I desire for myself, it’s important to be authentic in finding what it is that I truly desire. To get to the core of who I am, and realize that what I want might be hidden behind expectations, fears, and a society telling me what it means to be successful. When you clear your mind, and ultimately all the obstacles in your way, then it’s about designing a path that is authentic and optimistic towards your goal. Learn from people, become a student of the world, and realize that socially defined “failure” is basically a prerequisite to success. My success is found in my ability to positively filter everything that I come into contact with. Seeing the best in people, feeling optimistic about the potential of each and everyday. Knowing that each day can be a turning point in whichever direction I want my life to go in. I believe that what you seek you will find. I seek success via happiness, therefore I cultivate joy organically from within, and keep control of my choices and who defines my success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been playing professional basketball for 12 years. I have recently written and published my first book that reached #1 in many categories on Amazon, as well as being the #2 best selling book on Wall Street Journal. What sets me apart is the fact that even writing about my accomplishments is not where i want to focus my message. For me, the power is the message. Over my long career, and years in high school and college, I have used my platform as athlete to inspire and encourage all those watching. My book carries a message of hope, love, understanding, and optimism about a better world, and a better life for each person. I try to be a light for other people to see, be attracted to, learn from, and help to inspire them. I realize the power of motivation as an athlete and try to use it each day to be the best parent I can be to my 2 kids. I feel kids are like sponges, and I need to be at my best, knowing that what they learn from me will be the base of who they are. Same goes to people you meet all around the world. I have lived in over 10 countries, and I’m sure that almost each day there is someone listening, watching, and learning from you, be a message of positivity.

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?
Santa Barbara normally needs no introduction. A place where people go for their honeymoon or vacation getaway. The beach is an obvious place to take them, but there are so many great things to see. I would have my cousin take them on a hike into our beautiful mountains. My step brother take them on an incredible kayaking tour of our Channel Islands. I would spend time with family as we enjoy incredible restaurants downtown, along state street, and walk to McConnells after for some ice cream and underrated chocolate chip cookies. We have incredible Mexican food, sushi, and Italian restaurants. But for all people that know me, I would host a fun BBQ and invite everyone to my house to enjoy family friends, and great conversation. Moving around so much as a kid and professional, it’s not as much about where I am, but who I am with. Surround yourself with amazing people, and you can find a home anywhere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have played a huge role in my life. From my unconditional loving parents, to the people that don’t believe in me and created hurdles for me to jump over, they all play a part in my courage and motivation to become better each day. To my wife and children for daily love and inspiration. To my brother, for being my best friend since I was born.

Website: Taylorrochestie.com

Instagram: @trochestie

Linkedin: Taylor Rochestie

Twitter: @taylorrochestie

Facebook: Taylor Rochestie