Jay Shetty & Taylor Hill ON How to Navigate Emotional Challenges

In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty sat down with Taylor Hill, supermodel, actor, content creator, and philanthropist.

She shares her experiences in the fashion industry and her personal life. Discovered at fourteen, she quickly became famous, working with elite fashion houses and featuring on the covers of major magazines such as Vogue.

Beyond her professional success, Hill founded Tate & Taylor, a media platform inspired by her late dog, Tate, which focuses on supporting pet owners and promoting animal welfare. In this interview, Hill reflects on the emotional support she received from Tate, managing grief, maintaining mental and physical health, and pursuing purpose.

Working from Fourteen

Hill shared with Jay Shetty how her childhood experiences and sports shaped her character. The discipline and competitive spirit developed through sports activities propelled her into a successful modeling career. Hill's gymnastics, ballet, and snowboarding background heavily influenced her work ethic in her current profession.

The model was scouted when she was fourteen and quickly had to change her lifestyle to accommodate her new job. Her hairdresser mother became a stay-at-home mom who accompanied her on global trips to New York, Paris, and Milan. Her mother ensured Hill was always safe and had a trusted person close to her.

Taylor Hill told Jay Shetty that her siblings also quickly adjusted to her career. The model faced challenges juggling school and work and eventually left traditional schooling after earning a GED. She became a full-time model at fifteen, and she is happy with how things worked out for her because this new path brought her fulfillment and excitement.

Becoming a Victoria's Secret Model

Taylor Hill explained to Jay Shetty that becoming a Victoria's Secret is a milestone for many models because it offers mainstream recognition. By obtaining this role, she transitioned from teen to adult modeling. At eighteen, she auditioned for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She expected it to be a long process, but she was surprised to be chosen on her first try due to her previous runway experience.

Hill was excited to land the job, which significantly boosted her career. She is grateful for the opportunities that came her way and for the supportive environment around her because she could feel safe and comfortable at work. Despite it being a challenging job, Hill loves working in the modeling industry and is excited about new experiences.

Experiences are Personal

Taylor Hill is a naturally slim and tall woman. She shared with Jay Shetty that becoming a Victoria's Secret model was easy in the beginning due to her natural physique. However, later on, she adopted a more intensive fitness regime, especially before important shows.

Hill trained with a personal trainer and focused on high-intensity interval training and weightlifting. She highlighted to Jay Shetty the importance of maintaining a balanced diet. Her personal journey was healthy and tailored to her body's needs.

The model is aware of the negative perceptions around Victoria's Secret's lack of inclusivity and the unrealistic beauty standards it projected. Hill is excited about the brand's new direction, acknowledging the intense pressure the previous standards placed on models and society. She emphasizes to Jay Shetty the importance of staying glamorous and beautiful for yourself, not for external objectification.

The model hopes that people understand that her journey was personal and healthy - she never did anything to harm her health for the sake of beauty. Hill discourages anyone from trying to copy her look through extreme measures because it is not all a matter of discipline, but nature plays an important role, too. Beauty is not a standard, it is diverse and personal, she added.

Losing a Companion

Taylor Hill opened up to Jay Shetty about the loss of her beloved dog, Tate. She describes him as her best friend and companion throughout her modeling journey, from booking the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at eighteen to her late twenties. They shared an unconditional love and pure connection.

Hill explains how Tate taught her responsibility and emotional growth and provided support during her travels and career changes. His loss inspired Hill to create Tate & Taylor, a platform supporting others with similar deep connections to their sick pets. She understands that everyone's grief journey in losing their pet is different, and she advocates for a personal and compassionate approach to healing.

Battling Cancer

Tate was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma, a form of aggressive cancer. Hill sought veterinary help because she noticed unusual behavior in her dog, such as increased thirst and incontinence. The cancer diagnosis was a big shock - while looking for an oncologist, Tate's condition quickly deteriorated.

Hill was out of town when Tate was rushed to the ICU. The oncologist confirmed the widespread nature of the cancer. However, despite it being an aggressive illness, Tate felt well enough to attend Hill's wedding, where he was surrounded by loved ones. It was a bittersweet moment for farewells because it was the last time the beloved pet met most of his loved ones.

The model shared with Jay Shetty how difficult it was to let Tate go. But, as his condition worsened, she decided it was unfair to let him suffer any longer. He was euthanized at home, where Hill could comfort him in his last moments. The model created Tate & Taylor soon after - the company contributes to the Buddy Fund at the Animal Medical Center in New York, which subsidizes cancer treatments for pets. She aims to give people more time with their "soul dogs" through her philanthropic efforts, honoring Tate's memory and their deep connection.

Taylor Hill advises those grieving a pet to be patient with themselves and embrace their emotions; healing is a gradual process. She believes it is important not to rush through grief or to feel pressured to "move on." Instead, she suggests focusing on healing by acknowledging and addressing the emotional wound. You can ease your grief by talking to someone (finding people with similar experiences), journaling, or finding personal ways to process grief. Everyone processes loss differently; therefore, it is important for you to take all the time you need and go at your own pace.

Losing a Child

Taylor Hill opened up for the first time publicly about her miscarriage three years ago. She shared with Jay Shetty the shock and confusion of discovering she was pregnant despite having an IUD. When she found out, she was separated from her husband due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

It was a challenging time, as Hill was not mentally prepared to become a mother. However, she started to feel excited about the pregnancy and accept her new reality. Unfortunately, the pregnancy ended in a miscarriage for the model, and the cause for it is still unclear. She could not grieve with her husband, but her dog Tate provided her with physical comfort and emotional support.

Hill describes this period as an emotional rollercoaster from initial fear and confusion to tentative hope, followed by deep sadness and confusion. She told Jay Shetty about the multitude of emotions that overwhelmed her as a result of her miscarriage - she battled feelings of failure, betrayal by her body, and the struggle to make sense of the loss.

The model believes that patience and self-compassion are paramount in the grieving process; she describes it like an ocean with its unpredictable waves of emotion. Hill's message for the listeners grieving a miscarriage is to allow themselves to feel their emotions fully and to seek support, whether through talking to loved ones or journaling. Taylor Hill decided to speak openly about her miscarriage and the loss of Tate, to connect with others who have experienced similar losses. She hopes to offer comfort and understanding and help others feel less alone in their grief.

Needing Space to Heal

Taylor Hill shared with Jay Shetty that she initially needed to be alone to process the loss. Her close friends and husband supported her by simply being present, holding her, and letting her cry without trying to offer solutions or platitudes. This way, she felt understood and could express her emotions freely.

When her close friend later experienced a miscarriage, Hill was able to offer the same empathetic support. They continued to share and reflect on their experiences, and their mutual understanding only solidified their bond. Hill shared with Jay Shetty how important female friendships are in navigating such profound grief.

Having a Supportive Partner

Taylor Hill explained to Jay Shetty that partners experience grief differently. It was important for her and her husband to give each other the space they needed to process their loss. She initially needed to be alone, and her supportive partner understood and gave her the time to grieve in the way that she needed to, making her feel understood and loved.

The model shared that communication with her husband was crucial during this time because this way, they could better understand what the other was going through and be there for each other in the appropriate manner. Hill is grateful for her husband's understanding and emotional support—he acknowledged her physical and emotional pain, checked in regularly, and validated their shared experience. She encourages couples to learn each other's emotional cues and communicate their needs; vulnerability and openness are essential for healing together.

Tate & Taylor

Taylor Hill founded Tate & Taylor after losing her beloved pet. She acknowledged to Jay Shetty that her business is inspired by her deep bond with her dogs. Tate & Taylor aims to create a community offering curated pet products and services, and addresses a gap Hill noticed in the pet industry.

Hill's previous career in modeling allowed her to learn the ropes of building and managing a business, and paved the way for her new venture. Yet the true motivation behind the brand is Hill's love for animals and the wish to positively impact others' lives. Hill's mission is to build a brand with intention and purpose, with a focus on giving back and making a difference, particularly in areas like cancer funding and rescue efforts.

More From Jay Shetty

Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode on “Taylor Hill ON How to Navigate Emotional Challenges & Ways to Practice Gratitude in Life’s Unexpected Hard Times” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.

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