This Is How An Olympic Bobsledder Eats, Exercises, and Stands Up to Sexism

Bobsleds weigh nearly 400 pounds, so in order to avoid injury and keep her energy up, Taylor has to be extremely particular about her diet, her recovery routine, and her mental stamina.

Because bobsledding is a gravity sport, Taylor always has an eye on her weight—so she makes sure to eat nutrient-dense foods to make sure she's always energized. "I have to make sure I'm giving my body enough of what it needs without going overboard," explains Taylor. "I like to eat a lot of the same things all the time—I wake up and eat egg whites with veggies and oatmeal, and lunch and dinner are usually pretty similar—chicken, vegetables, and rice or sweet potatoes. I have protein shakes and smoothies during the day when I get hungry—but I keep it pretty simple. Lots of veggies and lean proteins."

Another way she spends her off days? Nourishing her relationships. "I usually try not to do too much. I usually have to catch up on life stuff like errands and the like, but I try to spend time with my husband."

A week before this year's world championship, Taylor started experiencing intense back spasms and wasn't sure whether she'd be able to compete. "I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to walk, let alone win a World Championship," she remembers. "When I finally was able to get out of bed, nothing was coming together on the track, and my driving was terrible. I spent the entire week wiping the tears but kept working—first to make sure I was physically OK—and then with my coaches, sports psychologist, and my husband to make sure I was mentally in a place where I could perform. It was a very challenging week, followed by a challenging race, but we pulled off the win."

Inspired by Taylor's story? Here's why this 71-year-old man is cycling across America.