Tara Taylor cheers-on Nova Scotians as official Movement Ambassador
You may have seen Tara Taylor of Preston, N.S., gracing your screens in a vibrant pink jogging suit, congratulating Nova Scotians for “making their move.” As the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation’s Movement Ambassador, Tara has been making a lot of moves herself. She’s an artist, actor, musical theatre playwright and mom of four. Tara also runs two businesses, is writing a play and is working on her debut feature film. In other words, she’s a real goal-getter!
The Make Your Move campaign needed someone who could bring our inspiring messages to life, and there was an instant spark when we met Tara.
Tara’s family and friends affectionately say that we found the most energetic 40-year-old in Nova Scotia to represent our campaign. We’d have to agree!
We chatted with her to discuss her personal connection to the campaign, why she jumped at the opportunity to get involved and how she lives the #MakeYourMove message every day.
Getting to know Tara
“I love that the campaign messaging makes it clear that if we add more movement to each day, we feel much better and I have found it to be true,” says Tara.
Tara had an instant connection with the Movement Ambassador role. She says, “A lot of my friends and colleagues keep commenting on how close the videos are to my personality. I love to have fun, laugh and move, move, move!”
Since the ads started running, friends and family have reached out to Tara, letting her know that she inspired them. “Friends have messaged me saying that the ad made them feel motivated to get out and walk, even men! One of my friends asked if I could walk with her.” Sometimes all we need is that little seed of inspiration to do something good for ourselves.
Leading by example, Tara has passed down her passion for being active to her kids. She says, “They love to challenge each other with who walks the most, or the farthest, and they’re always looking for opportunities to take the stairs instead of elevators. They see being active as competition most of the time and don’t always realize it’s good for them.” In this way, her children have discovered the point of movement: it should be fun! The benefits of adding play to your day, no matter how old you are, are timeless.
Unplugging
Spending time outdoors provides an opportunity for Tara and her children to unplug and explore. Given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic over the last couple years, making time to connect with the land and sea is even more important for our collective mental health. Some of Tara’s family’s favorite local places to explore are Crystal Crescent Beach, Lawrencetown Beach and Shubie Park, where they walk the trails.
Tara Taylor and Carmahn Mccalla enjoying a stoll
“When you’re breathing fresh air, you can feel the difference. We love looking at the stars too – we don’t see them when we’re in the city. In the summertime, I take time to really connect with my surroundings by smelling the flowers and trees, collecting rocks, eating wild berries and simply feeling the ground beneath my feet.”
As an artist and someone on the go, Tara treasures her solo visits to the beach year-round as an opportunity to reflect. “I write when I go to Lawrencetown Beach, and also think about life while listening to the waves, wind and birds.”
Finding a work/life balance
Studies show that finding opportunities to move throughout the day helps people perform better at work. That’s important for Tara. She’s been busy starting up The Lighthouse Arts Centre on Argyle St. and a hair and nail salon on Gottingen Street. She has found that being active throughout her workday leaves her with energy to do more at the end of the day.
She says, “I used to think I was a little odd with wanting to keep moving through the day. And when this opportunity to participate in the Make Your Move campaign came along, it made me feel very proud of the mindset I already had. I was grateful for the Make Your Move suggestions of other ways to be active that I can easily fit into my day.”
Since being involved in the campaign Tara’s been noting everyday opportunities to add more movement to her life. “I’m parking farther away from the front door of stores as much as possible and I now always walk to the mailbox.” Easy moves like these make a big difference in how we feel.
Tara Taylor walking to the mailbox instead of driving
In that way, Tara is a great ambassador and an inspiration for all of us to think about our activities when we are busy or out and about. She says, “Please consider adding small moments of movement to your day and eventually expanding them.”