Grit, Grace, and the Cherokee: Taylor Williams on Facing the Unknown

In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, David & Matt sit down with fellow East Coast Adventures running team member, athlete, and coach Taylor Williams. Taylor shares her unfiltered story of stepping into the ultra world, from running her first 50K at Firewater to tackling one of the most brutal mountain races on the East Coast—the Cherokee.

Taylor pulls back the curtain on her massive training block leading into this year's Cherokee 130K, the mental hurdle of stepping onto the course alone, and navigating high heat, extreme humidity, and severe chafing that ultimately brought her day to a halt at mile 61. We dive deep into why a DNF doesn't define who you are, the power of leaning into a mentorship under Mary Cates, and how stepping out of your comfort zone builds lasting grit and grace.

Learn more about Taylor and coaching here:

https://www.endurecoach.com

email: endurecoachingknox@gmail.com

Key Takeaways

• The Cherokee Experience: What it truly takes to prepare for and face 10,000+ feet of climb in the middle of summer humidity.
• Overriding Imposter Syndrome: How Taylor moved past self-doubt to embrace huge miles, solo training runs in the Smokies, and leading other runners as a coach.
• The Reality of a DNF: Why walking away with gas left in the tank teaches you where your real boundaries are and sets the stage for future growth.
• Power Hiking Mastery: The strength of using the uphill as a tool to control heart rate and manage fatigue late in an ultra.

• Grit & Grace in Action: How finding a running family transforms your mindset on race day and keeps you grounded when things get tough.