December 2, 2024
Listen
"The women stepped up to run their very best for each other. You don't always get that on a team. I think that's really why we won: they were able to run for each other."
My guest for today's episode is Diljeet Taylor, Head Coach of BYU’s women's cross country and track team. She's one of the most inspiring leaders in the sport. Coach Taylor just wrapped up a storybook season by guiding BYU to the 2024 NCAA Cross Country women's team title. It's their second national championship under her leadership and the program's sixth overall.
This victory wasn't just about redemption. It was about resilience one year after a devastating 14th place finish at NCAAs – the lowest moment of her coaching career. Coach Taylor and her team embraced the imperfect, leaned into their depth, and executed when it mattered most.
From butterfly mantras to pajama parties to brilliant race strategies, Coach Taylor proved that with belief and preparation, anything is possible. In today's conversation, we talked about BYU’s incredible turnaround, her approach to coaching All-Americans and building a winning culture, and why this year was a testament to her mantra, ‘Embrace the imperfect.’
Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram
Guest: Diljeet Taylor | @diljeetdosanjhtaylor on Instagram
Mac Fleet / @MacFleet
Time stamps:
- 3:33 - Reflections coming off BYU’s team title at NCAAs
- 5:03 - Finishing 14th at the 2023 Championship to winning in 2024
- 8:47 - What she said to her athletes after NCAAs last year
- 10:16 - How her coaching style has changed
- 12:27 - Lexy Halladay-Lowry’s progression + working through an injury to finish 14th
- 14:22 - What the evening was like with the team the night before NCAAs
- 21:03 - Why the team got off social media the month leading up to NCAAs
- 23:06 - “The Night Before Nationals” book
- 25:46 - Frank Gagliano’s impact on her as a mentor
- 26:55 - Overcoming last year’s disappointment at NCAAs
- 29:12 - Goals and expectations heading into this year’s race
- 34:05 - How the race played out
- 37:27 - How the team celebrated winning
- 42:38 - Looking ahead to next year’s team
- 45:01 - What she hopes her legacy will be
- 48:49 - Connecting with other female coaches
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Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
