Taylor said “Yes!” …and his life was changed
Meet Taylor cao,
Class of 2016
Taylor’s life changed with a simple "yes" to an unexpected opportunity. What began as a courtesy meeting turned into a journey through MTR, where he found not only a career but lifelong friends, a deep community, and even the love of his life. In his time in Memphis, Taylor has learned and that saying yes can lead to experiences beyond your imagination.
The summer of 2014 was supposed to be straightforward for Taylor—find a job, finish his degree, head to Physical Therapy school, and stick to the plan. But when an elder at Highland Church of Christ noticed his gift for working with teenagers, the course of his life began to shift. What started as a “courtesy yes” to meet with the elder’s friend David, ended up being a door that Taylor never anticipated walking through.
In July of 2014, Taylor found himself sitting across from David Montague (MTR Executive Director) and Robin Henderson (MTR’s Director of Education at that time). Their words resonated with him in ways he hadn’t expected. Coming from a similar background to the kids he would teach, he found himself thinking, "I should do MTR instead of what I had planned!" before he even fully understood what he was saying yes to. By the time he was accepted into MTR, the excitement was palpable.
His decision to say yes that summer didn’t just shape his professional life—it altered his entire life’s trajectory. He met Alli, the love of his life, on his very first day in the program, and some of his closest friends through the community at MTR. Reflecting on it now, Taylor admits, “If I had said no to that church elder, who knows where I’d be? Saying yes gave me the life I now have and I would not change one thing about it.”
One particular “yes” stands out as a testament to how it can lead to unforgettable experiences. It was the spring of their “senior year” -- AKA the last year of their MTR commitment, and Taylor and his residency class friends were itching for one last adventure before the life transitions they knew were coming. They created a slideshow and sat with David on his front porch to pitch the idea of a road trip to him. Thinking there was no way he’d join, they were ELATED when David immediately responded, “I’m in.”
David didn’t just agree to tag along; he helped take the reins. He rented a van, mapped out a plan, and together, they headed out on a road trip from Memphis to the Grand Canyon. The group hiked down and back up in a single day before hitting the road again. “It was one of the greatest weeks of my life,” Taylor recalls, still amazed at how that spontaneous spring break trip became such a cherished memory. The trip marked the end of an era, a last hurrah before life pulled them all in different directions.
Now, nine years after first stepping into Memphis fresh out of post-grad life, Taylor finds himself deeply rooted in the city that welcomed him with open arms. He spent eight years teaching science to students from grades 6 to 12, served as an administrator, and has recently transitioned into the role of Chief Marketing Officer for St. George’s Independent School. But his love for Memphis goes beyond his career—it’s the people that keep him here. The network of friends he made through and separately from MTR remains a constant. “It would be hard to leave,” he says. “There’s something about Memphis that just keeps you here.”
MTR’s impact on Taylor’s life is undeniable. The program didn’t just shape his teaching career—it helped mold him into the adult he is today. The friendships and relationships he formed have become integral to his life, and he credits the program with a major influence on his journey.
“I would be missing out on so much if I hadn’t said yes,” Taylor reflects. “It is important to have plans but don’t be afraid to say yes to unexpected opportunities. You never know—they can change your life for the better.”
