Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Lianne Chandlrr. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Taylor Lianne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
In my last job I became a whistleblower for fraud, waste and abuse. It created a very hostile work environment for me. It’s hard to juggle a public life and a personal job. In addition to being a whistleblower I brought attention to the poor management and lack of management by the Maximus team. The more I accomplished and succeeded the more they made my life miserable. It was hell walking into that office everyday, hostile is an understatement. My being white, a female and Intersex became reasons for the targeted abuse by Maximus employees. They forbid me to go to a Christmas party, had me attending meetings that had nothing to do with me. They picked at everything I did. The more my team performed the more I was punished. Every time I reported something it was retaliated with a PIP or write up. I was the co-chair of our ERG called PRISM. Our LGBTQIA resource group. As I excelled I was punished and treated badly by management. I was then scheduled to be on Maximus Podcast, and host a Pride townhall meeting. Once again management called and had me removed from both after reporting their lack leadership, structure and employee cohesion. I walked into work everyday on eggshells feeling like I would be fired.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
This is a common problem juggling a public and private life. I have reported all I have gone through with Maximus to the DC Office of Human Rights and now they will fight for my rights being violated. I excel in every part of my life and I have achieved success in all positions held. I sit on the Capital Pride Board in Washington, DC. We are working to bring WorldPride to DC in 2025. My company TLC Consulting & Solutions teaches companies like Experian, American Express how to be affirming to Trans and non binary employees, customers and in company collateral. Imagine the irony going through what I did at Maximus when I teach companies how to not do that! In my public life I’m writing my 4th book, my memoir, Beyond the Gold, detailing my life beyond my relationship with Michael Phelps, the Olympic Swimmer in 2014 when he got the DUI. Going back to my childhood of genital mutilation surgery, molestation and incest. Leaving home at 15, emancipatiing, homelessness, survival sex work, putting myself through college, creating a life in high society and a who’s who of my high profile relationships. It goes on to detail my 7 marriages, a modeling career, becoming a stunt woman, my Vivid Entertainment celebrity sex tape. Behind the scenes of my appearances on Entertainment Tonight, E! News, local and national news, magazines like Time, Cosmo, Glamour, and radio shows like Howard Stern where I appeared with Bradley Cooper.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I was outed to the world as Intersex on November 19, 2014 because of my relationship with Michael Phelps I felt betrayed, angry, depressed, embarrassed. I spiraled out of control all of 2015. Everyone was making money off me, but me. I felt broken and defeated, judges and misunderstood! I hit bottom and had no where to go but up. Slowly but surely I used my platform to give voice to Intersex and Trans people. I find peace and resilience in fighting for gender rights. I speak regularly on what it all felt like and how I climbed my way out. I never gave up and let this event define me and people to judge me when I was the one who had done nothing wrong.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of who I am and what I do is reaching young people. Telling my story as part cautionary tale and part inspiration. I’ve been through a lot, but I never give up. Even after all these years as people/companies try to bring me down, I have refused to give up or go away quietly. I am strong, resilient and refuse to let the world define me, a company like Maximus to destroy me! Failure is not an option for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.taylorliannechandler.com
- Instagram: RealTayChaTLC
- Linkedin: Taylorliannechandlerwalker
- Twitter: RealTayChaTLC
- Youtube: RealTayChaTLC
- Other: https://Www.tlcconsultingsolutions.com
Image Credits
Riah Gonzales-King
Capital Pride