I've read every single comment and I'm completely blown away. I can't believe how many kind people there are out there, thanks to each and everyone of you. I can't wait to see where we can go together as a community with this channel in 2024, the skies the limit! 😁
This was the perfect video for me right now. Can't ever say I've felt the stress you have had, but while considering changing careers and feeling down all the time myself, i find comfort and a degree of relatability. Thank you
I have a diagnosis of severe depression and PTSD. I say to say this , I commend you for taking the time to try and help others and tell your story! I am a fan of your content and I wish you nothing but the best . Stay strong brother!
That race at Donington though. Maaaaaaaaan that was like a Disney movie the way it played out, and then the ultimate mic drop of announcing your retirement. If you’re gonna do it, that’s how you do it. Class 👏
Hey Taylor - ithas been a joy working with you the past 2 years at VisionTrack; you have massive respect from us and all our clients who were lucky enough to come along as your guest at a MotoGP. Won't say goodbye as will be at a number of SBK events - but if you want a room at our castle hotel in Most and a few beers (your brother will remember this race!!) count on me! All the best for the future! -gordon
More power to you Taylor!! Totally respect your decisions and your honesty. There aren't too many people who can say they've won a championship at any level of bike racing!!!
Fair play for speaking out & putting your struggles out there,some people might mock you but I run my own business & raced at club level for 3years & it caused me to have issues with depression that I have under control now but I feel your pain & struggles. I run two RU-vid channels just for fun & enjoy the video making & editing so I have hit the subscribe button to follow your new journey. Best of luck for 2024 & onwards 👍
Much respect Taylor. No one but you knows how you feel...it's good to hear you are doing well with your career and your family life. Good luck 💯 in your future.
When iwas 52 i discovered I was autistic on a low lever which comes with anxiety.its hard admitting you've something wrong But it helps talking about it that was 5yrs ago. Your vlog was touching and brought back what I delt with and my own demons thrers more depression etc Hope you find peace in your head and learn to deal with situations Which it seams you have good luck for the future Darwin
I’ve watched and listened over the last couple of years, partly as it’s not often you hear any racer (or ex racer) talk about the negative sides of the sport, as well as the highs. As a parent myself, I know that listening to how well you speak, present yourself and how intelligently you’ve dealt with your demons, your mum & dad will 100% be more proud of you than any race or championship result would ever make them. I wish you amazing times, journeys & happiness over the years to come. Much love, Lundy.
Great video, many years ago I stepped away from a sport/game that I’d played and loved since aged 10 till 28, I used to put myself under so much pressure let alone anyone else. Suffered depression and anxiety diagnosed after a bout of vertigo! The mind is a terrible adversary but in the right state our greatest asset! Well done for bringing it to a public platform!
I'm closer to your Dad's age than you mate, but massive respect, I definitely share(d) a lot of the feelings you've talked about. Looking forward to watching your content in '24, all the best! x
Great video! I was diagnosed with autism around 3 years ago im 39 and can relate a lot to the anxiety and depression side of things. Unfortunately i wasted a lot of opportunities to make something of myself, but I'm happy where i am and have found a new passion in road cycling. I wont lie i still struggle on a daily basis with even the simple task of going to work and acting normal. Respect to you for sharing your struggles with us, will definitely be subbing to your channel 👍👍
Stoked for you dude. I had testicular cancer and suffered a lot from anxiety and panic attacks. It’s terrible and I’m stoked you aren’t suffering from them anymore (mine have gone away too and cancer free 🤘)
Kudos to you, Taylor. Speaking out bout how you felt took a lot of guts, especially as your family didn't know. Let's hope it will help others who see this vid and are suffering themselves. And good luck with everything you do with the rest of your life. It ain't no rehearsal, dude!
Nothing but respect for you Taylor. Much like my fellow Texan Kevin Schwantz’s story in 500cc Grand Prix racing. When you know it’s time, you hang it up and move on into the real world.
Well done for documenting your journey and being so open and honest. I can identify with so much of what you said having suffered several episodes of depression and many, many years of anxiety. Good luck in whatever you do and I look forward to seeing you around the WSBK paddock!
Kudos x2 to you for making this video. At age 28, you figured out what was the cause of your physical and mental ailments. Some people will never understand your decision but I do.
Proud of you for putting out this message. Men confronting their mental issues is an uphill battle. You should consider riding in the distinguished gentleman ride. A worldwide motorcycle riding event that focuses on mens physical and mental health. It has raised an incredible amount of donations and raises awareness. You would be a perfect fit for this ride. Keep your head up and do what you love.
Well done to you for sharing your story. I’m grateful for the small things in life now because I was depressed and I’ve somehow managed to get myself in a better place. I now realise how lucky I am
What a wonderful story. Only 1% is seen, but as the public we don't get to see with 99% of your life, struggles, sacrifice and somehow create a false image that sports people (of any sport) are a different kind of humans. Thanks for being open, showing yourself this vulnerable requires a lot of bravery, but it's the most genuine self you can put in front of the camera. Keep being awesome!
Well done for highlighting the whole Stress/anxiety/depression situation, been there, done that and I went from the happiest most relaxed person, to a bit of a mess ! However belief in a better future, and peace, works wonders and same as you, the symptoms eventually receded, now I am fine ( with fingers crossed ) go Taylor.
Thanks for sharing this. From my personal experience with mental health problems, sporting might not solve your problems but it does help getting out of your head which helps being able to solve those problems but it's a marathon not a sprint.
Hi Taylor, No need to explain, but it certainly is kind of you to share with the rest of us. Its very brave to make this video and i totally respect your decision. I also went through the same kind of thing at a much lower level but still the same emotion. I quit cycling when i was winning in the 1978 season, so I age with your dad. I walked away from something , I was good at. But i had got to the point , " ITS NOT FOR ME". I knew my dad was disappointed and people were surprised , not wanting to go to deep here, but there was alot going on , within clubs etc. I decided I was stopping cycle racing. Many many years on , I see it was a great decision, I doubted myself at the time , but i felt it was right.......and it was right , all these years later. As other people have said in the comments , you know all the ins and outs as to why . You owe it to yourself to be honest to yourself. I think , most people here can see that you have made the right decision. Total respect. I still enjoyed seeing you up here in Aberdeen with your dad and John mc Guinness at the beech ballroom giving us an insight into the racing. So i hope to see you again in the future at some point giving us a further insight , into motorbike racing. Thank you.
From the outside looking in it looks like the best job in the world. Nothing at the sharp end of any championship at any level comes without stress. Respect, do what you want to do. You’re good guys. Your parents did a good job 🙏🏻👌
Top man brave and encouraging. Mental health in men is rarely discussed. Had a few lows in my lifetime and never forgotten the positive people around me when I needed them. Looking forward to more of your videos have a blast with your brother in wsb . Keep them coming enjoy the clips 👍🏻😀
You had an awesome career - the stress and pressure is immense at the top level of any sport especially motorsport, you were British champion and a well deserved one ! Wishing you all the best for the future 👍👍
Thanks Taylor for your honesty, sincerity and plainly for exposing yourself. I think those are strong poinst that people are interested in. All the best, and certainly I'll continue to enjoy your videos. Cheers mate!
I have had depression on and off throughout my life. Drums and motorbikes have always helped me to cope. Your honesty and up lifting comments about the highs and lows of your career are to be applauded. I will be watching your videos and recommending them to family and friends.
Legend lad, fair play, love it. 💪🏻 I’m ex military, I ride bikes, sometimes I do dumb stuff on them and feel guilty afterward, think about getting killed etc and having 3 young boys, I’d consider myself tough mentally and physically, but even I hit dark times, mentally, it can consume me, I tell everyone around me when I’m down🤣 I’m struggling with my head, zero shame about it. I’d slap them if they mocked me anyway 🤣 I love the content lad, keep it up, much respect and love from a massive Irish fan, keep it lit 🔥
Such a cutthroat sport. This sport can absolutely destroy your body and mental health and you’ll still come out of it with nothing. Big respect for this Taylor, opening up really isn’t easy. You have every reason to be proud of yourself
After watching this, I had to say something. Hearing your story was absolutely incredible. To dedicate 15+ years of your life to one thing and one thing only is something I couldn't even imagine. This world is filled with so many things to do, see, and explore. Just doing that one thing for so long; I don't know how anyone could even do that. It shows that you're strong, but you're even stronger finding what your bottlenecks to life were and working to actually fix them. I wish you the best of luck to your RU-vid journey. Making videos was my passion from a very young age and I feel like I feel the same way you do about it. It's a way to share your life and ideas with tons of others, and it's just fun because you're always making something different. And if someone watching gets something good out of it, it's a job is well done. To this day, I still treat it as a passion project even though it's basically my career at this point. It's what keeps me going. That's how I perceive it and I hope that may help you. This and a few of your other videos popped into my recommendation likely due to my interest in moto track riding; and I'm glad I found it is it gives a real life look into someone who actually did this professionally and perfectly shows the sheer amount of pressure this sport puts on riders behind the scenes. I feel that videos like this are rare or almost non-existent. Thank you for making this.
Bud I’m so glad you did this video. You are a Champion inside out. It takes balls to do this, and this is the reason the next stage of your life will be tremendous
A brilliant, brave account of what you've gone through Taylor. Absolute respect to you for doing so. I sincerely wish you the very best of luck with your new chosen career.
That was so emotional to watch and so very brave of you! That took far more bravery than going down craner curves in the pouring rain! As someone who has had similar feelings, you have my utmost respect mate.
I've watched you and your crazy dad for quite a while and the constant of you being a great guy and enjoying life's experience has been a pleasure to follow, wishing you the best of life. Happy Christmas to you all ❤
Big respect TMAC. you can see how much healthier you look in this video, i came across your videos by chance when you posted a cycling one a few years ago and followed you since. Keep the videos and journey going , don't forget the merch.
so glad your able to live your dreams and to watch how you have moved on from racing.your a real inspiration and the fact you have been so honest with how your feeling speaks volumes ,looking forward to watching the channel grow.glad bikes are going to be involved
Thank you for this.. I know exactly how this feels. I'm definitely not someone laughing at you for your honesty brother. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Nice to hear you break it down and explain it all so well. Fair play for putting this out there 👍 I'm not a professional but have similar feelings around race weekends and preparing for racing is a full time job that just drains everything!
You are brave to open up to so many people about your mental health. It's never easy to heal from all those. I had a divorce and a failed business that really took a lot on my mental health. I was depressed for some time. Having a family and my dogs that keep supporting me are the things that keeping me sane. Best of luck on your next part of life.
Well done, Tayler. It takes courage to walk away from a successful career and knowing it will upset your successful racing family. Please know that this did help one person, Me. All the best for the future.
Respect mate, takes some balls to share those personal details, but you are a great fella and genuine bloke, as seen in the video. I’m 27 and I race mx for fun too many people around me I see put too much pressure on their kids to do well they end up ruining it for them. Enjoyment for riding is why we started isn’t it. Respect again and best wishes mate!
Huge respect TMac, achieved more in your career racing than most people will in their lifetime. Be proud and carry the experiences forward to this next chapter. Looking forward to seeing the channel grow 👏
i was very fortunate enough to have seen you during the 2021 season at oulton and the thrill of watching you and Tarran fly by was crazy. your career was stuff of legends pal. love the content
Hi Taylor, I was standing at the top of the cranor curves after the day of champions. Not sure of the year but it must be about 19 years ago. Kevin Schwartz had signed my Alpinestar cap the day before. One of my heroes. I had always wanted to ride bikes as a kid but had no family interest. You were there with your dad and Kevin and they were both giving you riding tips, I didn’t approach, but watched them and thought at the time what a privileged lad, does he know how lucky he is. It’s obviously easy looking from the outside in, I’ve always followed your progress and your retirement. Your honesty is inspiring, not many people will share what you share, you so helps us understand how hard racing is. Just stopped riding now myself. Live in Australia now and rode across it on a 250 a few years ago, keep going with the channel. Good luck
Man, am i glad that i am not a pro athlete, i cannot imagine the level of stress you have to deal with. There is no reason to be embarrassed by telling your story, I am (and anyone close around you should feel the same) happy for you that you got out and found yourself again. Live long and prosper as a movie/tv series quote sounds corny, but to live long and prosper you will have to work hard on yourself, on your health and on your loved ones. Sometimes that means making a U-turn.
So refreshing to hear all this Tmac, all sounds too familiar! I’ve found myself almost full circle in business now, something I’m passionate about but is a very competitive space. High tension environment that I’m now comfortable and somewhat established in, I have times of panic and high stress again akin to those before a race. Difference being that now I feel far less restricted, able to do much more when I’m not working on the business, and I think that’s a key to happiness. I still find happiness in the hard work to achieve the success, but having the freedom to choose how and when I keep it balanced to not burn myself out or put out my passion for what I’m doing is a key difference. Not just the usual end of year blow out, it can come at the end of a big project now or whenever I feel it’s needed. Absolutely best of luck taking this channel into the millions how we know you will🤞🏻
Taylor, I got CHOKED UP watching this! Though I was never a pro athlete, like every man when he's young, I dreamt of being one. We think about how great it would be to earn money doing something that we love and enjoy. Seldom do we get an inkling of the demands such career places on its participants. Thanks for giving us an insider's look at a pro athlete's life. I got choked up, because I can see the personal growth in you, and I can relate to that via my own past struggles in my life. I'm glad that, by walking away, you're living a good, HEALTHY life! Stress can do a number on us. I've experienced that to the point where I had chest pains, pains that were bad enough to prompt me to visit hospital to get checked. When the doctors found nothing physically wrong, I knew it was stress. I'm glad you can eat normally again. BTW, many of those foods are MY favorites! I don't know what I would've done if I couldn't have them. Finally, don't be ashamed you got mental help, please! If we're sick or injured, we get help for our bodies, don't we? We get physical help, right? Why not get mental help when it's needed? 2016 F1 champ Nico Rosberg talked to someone, as he had his own struggles in F1. Former F1 and current IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean also consulted a mental health pro; in fact, he was on Nico Rosberg's podcast, and they discussed this, among other things. I've consulted mental health pros myself. Anyway, good luck with all your future endeavors! Thanks again for giving us outsiders a view of what professional sports are like.
Taylor, you have achieved way more than any normal person could ever do, yes, the dedication and struggle is also a lot more than the average person puts into their career, but, you’ve grown and learnt. When you mentioned the mental struggles, I think you’d be surprised, it resonates with all of us who have drive. Wishing you the best in the future. Subscribed.
Taylor Loved the video! A lot of people are dealing with these types of problems including me. I am 48 and have had an awesome run so far ending up getting panic attacks and feeling the loss of purpose in life goals. To the point of fear of things I enjoy like track days. Glad things are going better and I enjoy watching the channel. keep up the great work and looking forward to seeing more. Most of all thank you for sharing so those of us with the same problems realize that we are not the only ones dealing with it!
Very brave doing this video! Speaking out is nothing to be ashamed off, I suffer depression and anxiety and I normally hide it behind a smile worst thing that I can do, be very proud of yourself and how far you have come in life and what you have achieved. Don’t be ashamed of mental health, I always said if I can help one person then that’s a bonus! You are one of my favourite riders! And love watching your videos! ❤
Great stuff Taylor, so open and honest. Particularly liked the comments around depression and how taking online abuse is worth it if your journey helps just one person ❤. Just consider this, there are tens of thousands of ex-motorbike racers, the winners list is much smaller, the champions list smaller still. You’re not an ex-motorbike racer, you’re a Champ. Tarran is very lucky to have you alongside him this coming season 🤛🏻👍🏻
I’m sure this video will help so many, and if your passion helps you to share others stories long May it continue. I look forward to seeing what you put up next, good luck from a fellow Scot in Glasgow, with your first name as my surname😀 All the best Mark Taylor.
Good luck to you for the future in whatever you do, Taylor. You're incredibly brave to put your mental health out there on an open forum but definitely something that we should all do.👏
Respect mate, as some one who has suffered for years with anxiety and panic attacks i know its not easy to talk about. Looking forward to watching your new content! Cheers
Good on you for sharing this, Taylor. I've been there, albeit in different circumstances, and understand that irrational feeling of panic and dread all too well. Its easier to run away and hide and pretend to be "normal", than it is to share how you really feel inside and risk being ridiculed. The stress and anxiety then leads to digestion problems cos your body is permanently in "flight or fight" mode rather than "rest and digest". People who haven't experienced this themselves can find it difficult to understand, so you sharing this openly is soooo valuable. You're one brave guy. Keep doing things you enjoy that make you and others laugh.
I really appreciate and enjoyed this insight. It was very interesting to watch. We all go to the race meets, see the pro riders and think, wow, what a amazing life. Obviously, we know that it’s not easy, both financially and physically/mentally but it still looks amazing. This video showed another side of the coin.
there are not many people reliance racing of any sort is not easy and it's not just a matter of turning up on a Saturday sunday good luck for your future
Congratulations on not only finding a direction in your life that you want to pursue but also on discovering what makes you happy and healthy Taylor! Long term happiness and health FAR outweigh temporary success and I'm so glad to see that you are going to be helping your brother next year. You come across as an absolutely honest and decent guy on video whenever I've seen you and I have no doubt you're the same off-screen, so I for one will be tuning in to see your journey continue. All the very best, Alan.
Well done Taylor. We only get one life, so live it in the best possible way for your happiness and contentment. I’m sure we will all continue to follow you, wherever you now lead, because you are an open and genuine person…just try to stay that way. Cheers and good luck J
You have my greatest respect for this totally honest appraisal of your life and mental wellbeing (or otherwise). I wish you well for whatever you do in the future and look forward to whatever you put out on RU-vid. Good luck to you and Taz in WSBK in 2024.
Big respect Taylor for being open about your struggles . It takes a brave man to talk of all the problems and daily struggles that arose from the sport you love . Stay strong .
Like so many of the comments of friends, fans, and those who simply stumbled across this video, Taylor, I want you to know how proud we all are of you and how you have grown into such an amazing person. Making this latest video has made it a damn site easier for those people that don't know you to now understand why we all feel like this; opening up in a truly emotional self-interview like this is a great example of how amazing you really are. I always knew from the moment you set about setting a channel up to fund your racing, that you were going to be a huge success both in front & behind the camera! I wish you all the success that you truly deserve. Have a great Christmas & an awesome New Year. Love to the gang, see you next year in a paddock near you 😊😊
This is the first time I have seen your video. Truly genuine guy, you are Taylor. We progress with our life even if we fall hard. You are still very young and have many, many years to find health, success and happiness
Thank you for sharing your story! It takes courage to be vulnerable like this in a world that is obsessed with the illusion of succes. It actually makes you more human. Respect :)
Wonderful for opening up,all your anxiety, doubts,depression are things everyone has who pushes them selves no matter what they are upto,it's all growth may it truly continue, good luck with respect.
I’ve just had time to watch ! Incredible journey I feel and lots more to come ,I don’t think most realise the enormity on the commitment from family ,the rider ,we just think twist a throttle and go ,all two wheeled motorcycle athletes at the highest level these days ,very brave to share ! Could be quite off putting to some also ! But I think the normal person wants any form of two wheel success needs to know all this ! So good on ya ,enjoy a fat Xmas and keep the vids coming
It's a hell of a thing mental health. Biggest hurdle is admitting or realising you have it. Then you can battle or just sort it or live with it. I recommend live it
Followed your career from 125 GPs, always liked you, I like the new Tmac even more, so interesting and honest. Good luck in all you do. We can't all be as fast as Taz 😂.
Well done Taylor. Speaking openly about this stuff helps all of us but especially blokes who are struggling. Fellas, talk it out you might be surprised by the support you get from family and friends. More of mad mark please.
Taylor, this will resonate with the majority of racers and professional sports people. Panic attacks, anxiety, depression, chasing the win and trying to accomplish your goal. It's what we sacrifice for ourselves to be the best and one of the greatest fears is letting down the people behind you, and the fans. Trying to be mentally and physically strong takes its toll and we push through until somethings not right, but knowing something is having a detrimental effect on ourselves and we don't understand why. I've puked in my helmet, woke up in the middle of the night panicking about an up coming race. It's only in the last few years us men have been expressing our feelings a bit better and hopefully we continue to do so. At the end of the day, if we can man up, we can better understand each other and see behind that false smile. Good luck with Tarran next season.
Buddy, this is incredibly brave of you to share with us. As a man troubled by similar issues, i recognize very well the feelings you describe. Well done, and all the best!
9:58 yes man, I know exactly the mindset you had. Its when you get it yourself that you realize how serious the matter is. I was a happy go lucky guy also and didnt get the concept of depression or mental health issues, then I got them myself and ye.. Now I know.
I remember my first work day on a lathe in 1978 aged 16, and the foreman asked me if I liked it. I just nodded my head, he said you only have another 50yrs left 😮 I still work on a lathe and have 4yrs left 😂
I allowed stress to hurt me Taylor and I have just been diagnosed with M.E/cfs. The body is so bloody delicate we have to protect it because we can cause life long issues. Well done mate good move. I wish you the best of luck and I have just subscribed
