#367: Payton Taylor-Gill Athletics | From Illinois State Thrower to Serving Coaches Nationwide

This episode of the Gill Connections Podcast is a little different—and a lot of fun.

Instead of sitting down with a coach, we’re turning the mic inward and highlighting one of our own. Payton Taylor joins the show to share his journey from a multi-sport athlete in Illinois to a Division I thrower at Illinois State University… and now to serving coaches across the country as part of the Gill Athletics team.

We dive into the moments that shaped him—from a faceplant in a hurdle race that ended his hurdling career 😅, to navigating COVID during his senior year, to discovering a passion for growth, process, and helping others succeed in the sport.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to serve track & field at a high level—and why the people behind the equipment matter just as much as the equipment itself.

🔑 In this episode, we cover:

🏃‍♂️ How Payton found track (and why hurdles didn’t last long 😆)

⚾ Balancing football, baseball, and track before choosing his path

🎓 His transition to throwing at Illinois State and falling in love with the process

🛠️ What it’s really like working at Gill Athletics

🏆 Behind the scenes of NCAA Division II Championships

🤝 Serving coaches, dealers, and athletes across the country

“I was always trying to find more… just the little things that add up to get 1% better.” — Payton Taylor

👉Dive into nearly 400 episodes featuring insights from coachinglegends such as BooSchexnayder and Dan Pfaff, DiljeetTaylor (BYU) and Beth Alford-Sullivan, as well as superstar coaches Petros Kyprianou (Illinois), Althea Thomas (Vanderbilt) and many more! Find uson Twitch.tv, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more!

🎙️ Create Your Own Podcast Episode:
Reach out to Mike Cunningham for instruction on how to create your very own Gill1918 Projectepisode, which airsTuesdays through Sundays. Find YOUR voice on the Gill Connections PodcastNetwork.

📲 Stay Connected:
Want to get in touch with our host, Mike Cunningham? Follow on Twitter (@MikeCunningham), email at mcunningham@gillathletics.com,or text to 217-898-3038. We love hearing from you! 🎧👍