Unbreakable: How Lauren Taylor's Journey Showcases the Power of Resilience

I recently had the privilege of conversing with Lauren Taylor, an individual of remarkable bravery, about her experiences with and triumph over domestic abuse. Our conversation explored this grave subject alongside various facets of her life and interests. I trust that you will find our exchange both informative and compelling.

AA: I would love to learn more about you! Please share your background with me and tell me where you're from. I'm interested in hearing about your upbringing, cultural heritage, and significant life experiences that have shaped who you are today.

LT: Hello! I was born in Singapore but was raised in Roswell, Georgia. I was modeling and acting at the early age of 4 then on and off until 27. I was in the Olympics Coca-Cola Commercial when the Olympics were held in Atlanta in 1996 with my brother. Now, ironically live in LA and work for a startup tech company. I do co-host a podcast, though, and I still write poetry and songs occasionally. My first Hollywood heartbreak as a kid was getting a role in a movie with Julia Roberts just to be re-cast a week later because they wanted someone with dark hair and older. My fond memory is playing the battle of the bands at the old masquerade in Atlanta with the metal band I was in when I was 18. There is so much that has shaped me into who I am today, but what would be a LONG STORY to divulge? Parts mentioned are just pieces or chapters in the book of me. :)

AA: Describe all the career opportunities you have pursued over your lifetime. Share some positive experiences from your work and also some negative ones.

LT: Well, I mentioned two in the last question, but I have worked in many industries. I have worked in music and film, hospitality, the hair and spa industry, and now tech. Oh god, I have experienced it all, from good bosses, which I have now, to horrible bosses and coworkers. I’d rather not divulge on those, but let’s leave it at I’ve experienced it all.

AA: Share your impactful story as a survivor of domestic abuse, detailing the profound and

lasting change it has brought to your life.

LT: The story is long and not easy to put into writing, but if you want to hear a good bit of it, listen to this podcast episode:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oGXZ0WbWyCHcreQcEiO7U?si=bfcc2ebe62244e7c&nd=1&dlsi=d8c8a15764d544ac

AA: I finally mustered the courage to listen to her story, and it was truly heartbreaking to hear what she endured, which also made me emotional. As an empathetic person, such stories touch me deeply and are hard to forget. I encourage people to listen to her story to understand her perspective without prejudice.

LT: As I continue to heal, I've noticed that I have more empathy than ever before, yet I also feel hardened in other ways. I’m not one to sugarcoat things; the experience has left me with PTSD, which has made me hesitant about dating. However, with time and therapy, I’m starting to feel more open to it now.

AA: What advocacy initiatives are you pursuing to support individuals with similar circumstances?

LT: My way of advocating is to tell my story, be it in a blog, a podcast, or on my social media platforms. I do have goals to work with a non-

profit to spread awareness and advocate for both survivors and those we have lost, engaging with the government to drive meaningful change and

support.

AA: We are interested in hearing about your health journey with celiac disease. How did you first discover your condition, and what has your experience been like since then? Have you found it challenging to manage an autoimmune disease like celiac disease? We're interested in learning about your challenges and how you've coped with

them. Your insights could be valuable to others dealing with similar health issues.

LT: It’s been quite the journey! Not only am I passionate about advocating and spreading awareness on Domestic Violence I am also passionate about advocating for oneself when it comes to medical things like celiac disease and endometriosis. I had crazy symptoms for years and was tested for everything imaginable. I was initially led to believe I had an allergy or sensitivity to gluten and dairy. Then I came to LA and met a doctor who didn’t think it was an allergy—and she was right. We re-tested for all allergies, and she included a celiac test, which came back positive. The silver lining? I was able to reintroduce dairy, which felt like a win. Before my official diagnosis, I had already been eating gluten-free for years, so the transition wasn’t too difficult for me. I was familiar with many guidelines, but I was surprised to learn that gluten can be found in unexpected places, like mouth retainers and paper straws.

LT: Nowadays, I don’t find it too hard to navigate gluten-free living, but ten

years ago, it was a challenge since nothing was labeled, and you had to educate yourself. Living in LA has also made it easier. I think learning about celiac disease and what contains gluten is crucial. If anyone is struggling, feel free to

contact me—I’m also a certified health coach!

AA: Regarding movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonates with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?

LT: I am such a big lover of movies that it’s easier for me to say that I love specific genres most. My favorite types of movies are thrillers, horror, and comedies. I either love movies that make me think (thrillers), shock me (horror), or get my mind off the bad shit (comedy). Fun fact: I used to screen films for the Atlanta Film Festival for two years, and with that, I could talk about film for hours.

AA: As for TV shows, which ones do you find yourself eagerly tuning in to? What about these shows captivates you—could it be the plot twists, character development, or the overall production quality?

LT: The same goes for TV shows. I am all about thrillers, horror, and comedy. I even love stand-up. The best standup I watched recently was Hannah Berner’s on Netflix.

AA: Regarding books, which are at the top of

your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

LT: As for books, I tend to read more fantasy and poetry. I love the Harry Potter series, and I am currently finishing up the A Court of Thorns book series and hope that itgets the green light to be a TV series. I love them because I feel you get a chance to get lost in an entirely different world. To me, that’s enjoyable and magical! (Pun intended)

AA: What is your favorite horror movie? If you were allowed to live within the environment of any horror movie for one year, which movie would you choose and why? Describe the atmosphere, setting, and characters most appealing to you.

LT: I don’t have just one favorite but some of my favorites include Scream, The Faculty, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Salem’s Lot, Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, and Queen of the Damned. I would choose Queen of the Damned because I love the locations, setting, and music most. The others would be too scary, and I would not have done well pre-80s.

AA: Which horror convention stands out as your all-time favorite? Any memorable celebrity encounters or panel discussions that left a lasting impression?

LT: I personally love them all! Horror Con was my first, Creepie Con was my second, and they are tied. Monsterpoolza is her third favorite horror convention, which she enjoys attending. They were a tad less chaotic and easier to navigate than some of the bigger ones. I enjoyed the panel “The Road So Far. The Road Ahead” with the Supernatural cast. The entire cast was humble and hilarious, which probably explains why the show had so much success.

AA: Which podcasts do you highly recommend and why? What sets these podcasts apart from others, in your opinion? Do they offer valuable insights, entertaining content, or something else that keeps you hooked?

LT: My favorite podcasts lately are Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari, The Skinny Confidential Him &Her Podcast, and Call Her Daddy. I do listen to many more, though, when I have time. I like how these podcasts have very real, raw conversations. Sometimes, they are even educational, and almost always entertaining in their own way.

AA: What bands or artists do you love listening to? I would also love to know about your favorite concert experience!

LT: I can jump from listening to Stevie Nicks one minute to metal, then pop, and then country—my music taste is all over the place! However, I listen to Stevie Nicks the most. I have so many favorite concert experiences, but some recent memorable ones were Bad Omens, The Veronicas, Alice Cooper, Kelsea Ballerini, and Stevie Nicks! :)

AA: What hobbies do you enjoy doing?

LT: I enjoy podcasting, writing poetry, cooking, being within nature, and discovering new places and things. I am always down to check out a cool coffee shop or restaurant.

AA: Tell me about the three people that have impacted your life positively or negatively.

LT: There are so many who have impacted my life for the good and the bad, but I’d rather give a shout-out to the good ones. Those people are Amanda, Jillian, Lara, and Glen. Yes, I know that’s four, but I tend to break the rules when it comes to answering questions sometimes. They helped me during a really hard period of my life and stuck by me, and for that, I am forever grateful.

AA: What would you tell yourself if you could turn back the time and talk to your 18-year-old self?

LT: There are so many things I would say, but most importantly, I think I would tell myself to trust my instincts.

AA: If you could live in any historical period, which would you choose and why?

LT: I am fascinated with the Renaissance period, but I would ultimately choose the 1970s or 1980s. I love the fashion and music.

AA: Have you ever had a paranormal experience that left you feeling intrigued or spooked? If you were a ghost, envision yourself wandering the earthly realm—who would you choose to haunt and why?

LT: Yes, I have had many paranormal experiences. Some have left me intrigued, fascinated, or spooked. I’m torn between haunting my friends to be funny and those who have wronged me for obvious reasons.

AA: What is the most common misconception that people have about you? How does it affect your interactions with others and how do you address or correct this misconception when it arises?

LT: Oh, it’s hard to pinpoint just one misconception.People often think I’ve traveled more than I have, that I was a groupie, that I play the victim, or that I only date musicians and actors. None of that is true! As for interactions, I can sometimes come off as guarded or quiet during first meetings, but I slowly start to open up. The funny thing is, I’m completely unafraid to share my feelings in poetry, songs, on Instagram, or in podcasts. I don’t always feel the need to correct these misconceptions because, at the end of the day, people will believe what they want, no matter what you say or do. So now, I just embrace being myself —take it or leave it!

AA: What would you say if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

LT: Oh, the pressure of this question! I would say always try your best to be kind to others as you never truly know the battle they may be facing internally and keep an open mind.

AA: Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story and interests.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Lauren Taylor at

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurentaylorb/

*** All photos by Lauren Taylor, unless otherwise noted **