Taylor McPherson is a force for change, breaking barriers and fostering a legacy of empowerment for young athletes. A proud Mi'kmaq woman from Miawpukek First Nation, she has carved a path in the world of wrestling as she transitions from a fierce competitive career to a respected coach and sport leader.

Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Taylor was encouraged by her fifth grade teacher to get into wrestling. She would soon be hooked, finding joy in showcasing her strength and proving that she could conquer any challenge.

“Once I got into grade 7, I joined the wrestling team, and from that moment on, you couldn't take me off the mat,” she said. “I loved the opportunity to show my strength as a small, feisty girl who loved beating up the boys, throwing them around a little bit, and I just really liked to prove to people that I could do whatever I put my mind to.”

"Wrestling really helped me push my limits, push my boundaries, and it really taught me resilience, determination, and all of those skills that are really needed in real life.”

Taylor went on to wrestle and win a USPORTS national title for the University of Alberta Pandas, and she represented Canada at the U23 World Wrestling Championships in 2021 and 2022. 

She narrowly missed out on competing for Alberta at the 2017 Canada Games in Winnipeg, but would find her way to the Games in 2022 through the Aboriginal Apprentice Coaching Program. Her university wrestling coach encouraged her to apply for the program, and it really shifted her pursuit of coaching into a higher gear.

The opportunity to be an assistant coach for Alberta at the North American Indigenous Games soon followed in 2023. It was particularly meaningful for Taylor, as it empowered her to intertwine her Indigenous identity and sport into one.

“It was honestly one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had because it was really important for us as a team to smudge before going out and wrestling on the mat; incorporating that cultural and prayer piece for our women's team was huge. Even in just the apparel, our wrestling singlets had Indigenous elements. And I think that is so important for Indigenous youth, Indigenous coaches, and everybody out there who wants to be a part of sport to see a little bit of them in sport, and that was the most I've ever seen myself in this sport.”

Her ascension in coaching will see her return to the Canada Games in 2025 as the head coach of Alberta’s women’s wrestling team. 

“To go to the Canada Summer Games as a head coach is a big deal. It's definitely scary to take this big jump and leap into it, but to me it means being a role model for these young girls. I want to show them that strong is beautiful, that they can do whatever they set their mind to. At the end of the day, I want them to perform well and have a great time, but ultimately, I want them to form those connections and bonds that make sport so much more than winning titles and medals.”

Canadians may already be familiar with Taylor as the winner of season 10 of The Amazing Race Canada alongside her best friend and wrestling teammate Katie Mulkay 

When she isn’t coaching or winning reality competition shows, Taylor’s work with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta (ISCA) further demonstrates her commitment to her community. She strives to break down barriers to sport and recreation access and inspire Indigenous youth to pursue their potential.

Taylor is also the co-founder of the Spiritual Holistic Exercise Den (SHED), a program empowering Indigenous youth with access to grassroots sport and leadership training. She hopes to grow it into a Canada-wide program in the future.

“Being a role model for not only women but Indigenous youth is really important. That representation is really important. Growing up I didn't see a lot of Indigenous women or Indigenous people in sport. So I want to continue to be that person for the youth coming up, whether it's girls, boys, or Indigenous youth.” 

“Our communities have a lot of amazing athletes that have the ability and the strength to do whatever sport it is they choose to do, but it's telling them that they can do it that’s the most important part. Instilling that belief and building that confidence with our youth is huge.” 

There’s power in positivity and the self-belief to will your own truth into being. Strong is beautiful and Taylor embodies that and so much more.