From Pre-Med to Pro Sports: Why Chasing Passion Beats Playing It Safe

From Pre-Med to Pro Sports: Why Chasing Passion Beats Playing It Safe

From Get Career Curious by Marita McCahill

November 19, 2025 · 29 min · Episode 26

About this episode

Carrie Taylor shares her journey from pre-med to becoming a VP in professional sports, emphasizing the importance of following one's passion.

What happens when you walk away from the “safe” path to chase what you love? Meet Carrie Taylor , VP of Operations for Spokane’s pro soccer teams — and a former pre-med student who swapped a stethoscope for a soccer ball. 🎓⚽ In this episode, Carrie shares how she went from studying biology at the University of Michigan to becoming a trailblazer for women in sports leadership. She opens up about the courage it took to tell her parents she was leaving medicine, the hard realities behind the glamor of pro sports, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, grit, and purpose. If you’re a college or high-school student questioning your major, rethinking your career goals, or just wondering if passion really pays off — this episode will change how you think about “success.” 🎙️ You’ll Learn: ▪️ How to pivot your career when your plan no longer fits▪️ The truth about working in professional sports▪️ What it takes to lead (and last) in a male-dominated field▪️ Why the best careers start with curiosity, not certainty ✨ “Life is too short to be unhappy in what you do.” — Carrie Taylor

People in this episode

Guest: Carrie Taylor

Topics covered

  • career change
  • sports leadership
  • women in sports
  • pursuing passion

Keywords

  • career pivot
  • professional sports
  • leadership
  • grit
  • success

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Spokane

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