Episode 135 | Diljeet Taylor

Empowering Athletes

Diljeet Taylor, Associate Director of Cross Country and Track and Field at BYU, emphasizes empowering athletes to foster a strong team culture. She believes that investing in people rather than just performances leads to lasting success and fulfillment. Diljeet's approach is rooted in creating a culture of empowered women, where confidence and self-belief are paramount 1. Her mission is clear: "If you leave an empowered woman and you're strong and you're confident, you can go turn around and do that for someone else, then my job is done."

It's about connections and it's about relationships. And he doesn't remember any of our PRS right now, but he remembers what we brought to the team.

--- Diljeet Taylor

This philosophy has been instrumental in the success of her teams, as seen in their impressive performances at the NCAA championships 2.

   

Training Approaches

Diljeet tailors training to meet each athlete's unique needs, recognizing that no two athletes are alike. She emphasizes individualized training plans, focusing on personal mileage, cross-training, and recovery to optimize performance 3. Her coaching philosophy has evolved over the years, becoming more flexible and responsive to athletes' needs. "I feel much more confident in the X's and O's, but I think I'm much more flexible in when I write the training," she explains 4.

I think I've learned more. It had to change again when I moved to altitude because training at altitude is a lot different than training at sea level.

--- Diljeet Taylor

This adaptability was crucial during the pandemic, as she devised creative ways to keep her team motivated despite canceled seasons 5.

   

Relationships

Building strong coach-athlete relationships is central to Diljeet's coaching style. She draws inspiration from her mentor, Frank Gagliano, who taught her that athletes "don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" 6. This lesson has shaped her approach, focusing on genuine connections and mentorship. "I want to be one of their five," she says, aspiring to be a significant influence in her athletes' lives 7.

I know it's been great for our program and for recruiting, but I really like to just work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.

--- Diljeet Taylor

Diljeet also encourages athletes to avoid the comparison trap, fostering self-confidence and personal growth 8.