We’re looking forward to introducing you to Taylor Lianne Chandler. Check out our conversation below.
Taylor Lianne, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
What brings me joy lately is the opportunity to live fully in my purpose—building community, amplifying voices, and sharing my story in ways that I hope inspire others. Serving on the board of Capital Pride in Washington, DC has been an extraordinary honor. Together, we are preparing to welcome the world for World Pride 2025, a historic moment for our city and for the LGBTQIA+ community globally. Knowing that I get to contribute to shaping such a powerful celebration of visibility and unity fills me with excitement and gratitude.
One of the highlights of this work has been hosting a panel at the World Pride Human Rights Conference, where the focus was on intersex, transgender, and asexual identities. To create a platform for these communities on such a global stage was deeply moving. These conversations are not just necessary—they are transformative. In holding space for voices that have too often been left out, I am reminded of the responsibility and privilege of advocacy: to ensure that no one feels invisible, and that every person knows their story matters.
Beyond my advocacy work, I’ve found great joy in returning to my writing. I am working on my memoir, Beyond the Gold, a follow-up to my 2015 book, The Making of Going for the Gold. While that first book centered around my relationship with Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, this new work is about far more than a chapter of my past—it is about the whole of my journey. It is a story of resilience, authenticity, and growth, shaped by both personal and public challenges. Writing these pages has been a healing process, allowing me to reflect deeply and to embrace my truth with even greater courage.
This season of my life feels like a beautiful balance between outward impact and inward reflection. Outwardly, I am committed to creating spaces where others can see themselves represented and celebrated. Inwardly, I am giving myself permission to honor my own path and tell my story without hesitation. Both bring me a profound sense of joy, and together they affirm my belief that living authentically is the greatest gift we can give—to ourselves, and to the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Taylor Lianne Chandler, and my life has been defined by resilience, authenticity, and advocacy. Born intersex and assigned male at birth, genital mutilation surgery, and tons of surgeries just to correct that damage, I transitioned as a toddler to live in alignment with who I truly am. That decision set me on a path that hasn’t always been easy, but it gave me the strength to face the challenges of living authentically in a world that doesn’t always understand. My story became global news during my relationship with Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps, which thrust me into the public eye. Instead of shying away, I embraced the platform to bring visibility to intersex and transgender identities.
My journey has been told across books, film, and media worldwide. I wrote The Making of Going for the Gold, which chronicled my life and relationship with Phelps, and I am currently working on my memoir, Beyond the Gold, which tells the fuller story of my personal growth, resilience, and advocacy, as well as documenting a sensational life of high profile relationships. My life has also been depicted in the film Going for the Gold and covered in magazines, like Cosmopolitan, Time, Glamour, newspapers around the world and online publications. Along the way, I’ve made appearances on The Howard Stern Show, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, as well as numerous radio and podcast interviews, sharing my truth openly and unapologetically.
Beyond my personal story, I am an advocate at heart. I live with Borderline Personality Disorder and speak openly about mental health, working to reduce stigma and encourage compassion. I am also pro-Black in my advocacy, elevating Black and brown voices through marketing, community work, and the creation of safe spaces. For me, advocacy isn’t about speaking for others—it’s about amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and ensuring the most marginalized are centered in the conversation.
What makes my journey unique is the intersection of so many lived experiences—intersex, transgender, woman, survivor, advocate, and author. Every part of who I am informs the work I do. Whether through my writing, media presence, or grassroots advocacy, I remain committed to building a more inclusive world where people can live their truths without apology. That is not only my mission—it’s my joy.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Michael Phelps saw me clearly before I could clearly see myself. At a time when I was still learning to embrace every part of my identity, he looked past the noise, the labels, and the judgments of others, and simply saw me as a woman—whole, worthy, and enough. That kind of recognition was powerful, because for so much of my life, I had been forced into boxes I didn’t fit, told to hide parts of myself, or made to feel like I wasn’t deserving of love exactly as I am.
Being seen in that way gave me a mirror I hadn’t yet allowed myself to look into. It was validating, but it was also awakening. It pushed me to confront the parts of myself I was still holding back from, the truths I was hesitant to fully own, and the courage it would take to live unapologetically. His acceptance didn’t erase my struggles, but it helped me recognize that love—and self-love—requires radical honesty.
In many ways, that relationship was a catalyst. It taught me that authenticity isn’t negotiable, that the right people will love you for who you are, not who the world expects you to be. Michael’s ability to see me beyond the headlines and beyond the stigma challenged me to see myself with the same clarity. And in the years since, I’ve carried that lesson forward—not just in my personal journey, but in my advocacy, my writing, and my fight for visibility for others who are still searching for that same sense of belonging.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back most in my life was the fear of not being accepted for who I truly am. From an early age, I carried the burden of secrecy—being born intersex, transitioning as a youth and navigating a world that constantly told me I didn’t belong. That fear of rejection made me believe I had to work harder, be perfect, or hide parts of myself just to be loved. Deep down, I worried that if people saw all of me, they would walk away.
Alongside that fear lived a constant sense of imposter syndrome. No matter what I achieved, there was a voice inside whispering that I wasn’t enough, that I didn’t truly deserve the stage I was standing on, the love I was given, or the recognition I had earned. When my relationship with Michael Phelps exploded in the media, that feeling intensified. Suddenly the world was talking about me, defining me, and dissecting me. I couldn’t escape the thought that I was somehow a fraud, that I would never live up to the image others had created—whether they painted me as a scandal, a symbol, or a survivor.
That combination—fear of rejection and imposter syndrome—was paralyzing at times. It kept me small when I wanted to take up space. It silenced me when I wanted to speak. It convinced me that my worth was conditional, that love and belonging had to be earned rather than simply deserved.
But what I’ve learned is that neither fear nor imposter syndrome tells the truth. They are echoes of a world that tried to shrink me, not reflections of who I am. Today, I fight those voices by standing in my authenticity—writing my books, sharing my story, and advocating for others who feel unseen. I’ve come to understand that acceptance begins with myself, and that belonging is not given by others—it’s claimed when we dare to live unapologetically as we are.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
I was born David Roy Fitch on November 24, 1972, in Lewiston, Maine. I am intersex and underwent surgery in my twenties to remove male genitalia in 1993. I am a legitimate activist, author, and public speaker who works on intersex and transgender rights issues.
I have worked as a sign language interpreter, model, stunt woman, and in various other professions including real estate, public relations, and crisis management. I currently run TLC Consulting & Solutions, LLC, specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
The major questions about my authenticity center on my relationship with Michael Phelps. In November 2014, I publicly was outed to be Phelps’ girlfriend, but there is no photographic evidence linking us together, that I have made public and Phelps has never confirmed or denied our relationship.
My Current Work and Activism:
Despite the controversy over the Phelps relationship, I have built a legitimate career as an activist. I sit on the boards of Capital Pride DC and other organizations, have written 3 books, appeared in a film, and made numerous media appearances. I have over 100,000 followers across social media platforms and work to elevate intersex and transgender voices.
I am definitely a real person with a documented history as an intersex activist and entrepreneur. However, the most famous thing about me- the romantic relationship with Michael Phelps appears to be the source of much skepticism about my credibility.
My intersex identity and advocacy work are genuine and I have built a legitimate career around these issues, but the Phelps connection seems to be the foundation myth that launched me into public consciousness without the solid evidence ever being made public, by my choice.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Working as a Guest Specialist at Bob’s Discount Furniture puts you in a really unique position in retail – you’re helping people make decisions that directly impact their daily comfort and home environment. There’s something special about furniture sales that sets it apart from other retail sales.
The emotional aspect is huge. Unlike buying clothes or electronics, furniture purchases are often tied to major life events – new homes, growing families, fresh starts after moves or relationships. You’re helping people create spaces where they’ll make memories, relax after long days, and feel truly at home. When someone finds the perfect couch or dining set, you can see the excitement as they envision it in their space.
As a Guest Specialist, you’re building valuable transferable skills. You’re learning to read people quickly, understand their needs beyond what they initially express, and guide them through complex decisions involving style, budget, space constraints, and functionality. You’re also developing product knowledge about materials, construction, and how different pieces work in various living situations.
The furniture industry offers several advancement paths. You could move into management roles, become a design consultant, transition to higher-end furniture stores, or even explore related fields like interior design or real estate staging. Many successful furniture store managers and owners started exactly where you are.
Working for a discount furniture chain like Bob’s teaches you how to help customers maximize value – finding quality pieces that fit their budget. This skill in balancing quality and affordability is incredibly valuable and translates well to many other industries.
The satisfaction of helping someone furnish their first apartment or find the perfect family dining table really does make this work meaningful in ways that many retail jobs aren’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.tlcconsultingsolutions.com
- Instagram: Realtaychatlc
- Linkedin: Taylor Lianne Chandler Walker
- Twitter: RealTayChaTLC
- Facebook: RealTayChaTLC
- Youtube: RealTayChaTLC
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
