Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Taylor Coffman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Taylor , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

Ultimately, my mission is to improve the lives of patients. When I say “patients,” I essentially mean everyone. Everyone will be a patient at some point. It’s part of the human experience.

Drawing on my personal story of survival with disease, I have defied the odds and made a significant impact sharing my story already with the FDA, the American Society of Hematologists, and The Moth among others. My message of patient empowerment is gaining momentum. I penned an article in the Huffington Post I Spent Weeks Near Death In The ICU. Asking My Doctors To Do This 1 Thing May Have Saved My Life where I shared how my medical catastrophes changed how I approach my own healthcare. The article topped Apple News as the #1 story, garnering nearly 1 million impressions in 48 hours.

While on dialysis, I began writing my Substack and book Rare Disease Girl – which chronicles my personal journey of living with a rare medical condition. Through my story, I not only raise awareness about rare disease but also offer a message of strength and resilience to others.

I hope my legacy reminds people that even amidst the most dire of challenges – growth, strength, laughter and joy are accessible to us all, leading us to greater purpose and fulfillment.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Before my rare disease diagnosis, I was an actor. I have a particularly extensive background in comedy, working on Jimmy Kimmel Live, studying at Upright Citizens Brigade, traveling with musical comedy shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well as recurring on season 2 of HBO’s Silicon Valley directed by Mike Judge, appearing on both seasons of Life in Pieces on CBS, and multiple episodes of Rachel Dratch’s Late Night Snack on TruTV. I also appeared in Feud: Bette and Joan directed by Ryan Murphy.

Additionally, I have over a decade of experience in creative project management in media, including at 89.3 KPCC and as former producer and operations lead for LAist Studios, an award-winning podcast production studio.

Everything in my life grinded to a halt during the birth of her daughter. Moments after her delivery, I triggered an extremely violent chronic rare disease called Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome or Complement-mediated Thrombotic Microangiopathy, leaving me near death with multiple organ failure.

In the wake of my survival, I began writing and speaking about my journey in addition to working freelance as a podcast producer and creative project manager.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Before my diagnosis, I wasn’t as personally mission driven. I knew I was creative and had great project management skills, working in various forms of media. But my work lacked focus. I also spent a great deal of time working behind the scenes, essentially making other folks look amazing.

After my medical challenges, I often say, “I was brought back to life with a new assignment.”

My goals now are very focused on improving the lives of patients. Much of my work surrounds using my personal experience as a framework to inspire audiences with my unique blend of storytelling, humor, authenticity and journey of survival and resilience.

I want to change lives, and the world, for the better.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In June of 2023, I met another crossroads as I was part of a large layoff at my company.

It was a very painful change, creating instability for my family as I dealt with being both a new mother and having a chronic rare disease. In the meantime, I continued to build my Substack Rare Disease Girl’s audience as well as pitching articles, sharing what I’ve learned from my incredible ordeal.

The Huffington Post bit and the article about my story and how it changed my approach to healthcare went viral. It was at the top of Apple News for most of the weekend. Higher than President Biden and the NFL a week before the Superbowl if you can believe it.

I don’t know if this amazing win would have happened if I hadn’t been laid off.

I’m immensely proud that something I wrote resonated so much with people – a million in just a couple days. I know my article will save lives and I’m incredibly honored.

Now, I’m writing a book. I know publishing, like most of my other goals, looks like an uphill climb. I see the challenges, but then I remember I’ve done challenges. I’ve beaten the odds. I found my voice. I’m a miracle just typing this, so my pragmatic optimism is not shaken.

How do we become resilient? We face life’s profoundly difficult side. We fail a lot and get back up and keep going, realizing most of life’s challenges are just setbacks or speed bumps and not road closures. We alone decide what is a dead end and what isn’t.

And just because life doesn’t look like you’d planned doesn’t mean it isn’t a dreamy, wondrous and bountiful life. We are  magical miracle creatures on a path to a place we might not have imagined but that’s not failure- that’s resilience too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://taylorcoffman.substack.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorcoffmanmade/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-coffman
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/fiRXwteDUzQ?si=piLos56tpTvts6uK
• Other: My Viral Huffington Post Article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rare-disease-girl-healthcare-advocate_n_65a86c22e4b00bbb446dd02b

Image Credits
Jonny Marlow Becca Murray Apple Trending Articles Screenshot Zach Lupetin