Taylor Gould shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
That question—“What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?”—hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It felt personal, almost like it was waiting for me. For most of my life, fear and self-doubt have been quiet companions. I grew up with a learning disability, an Individual Education Plan, and the feeling that I just didn’t quite fit in. While I loved English, Art, and Science, school was hard. I spent so much of my childhood thinking there was something wrong with me. I still remember the day a school counselor told me I’d never amount to anything. I carried those words with me for years—they hurt deeply—but somewhere deep down, I made a promise to myself that I would prove her wrong.
After high school, I didn’t have the money or support to jump right into college. I worked multiple jobs just to get by and tried to study whenever I could. Eventually, I had to step away because I couldn’t balance it all. That was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done—because it felt like giving up on myself. But I never let go of the idea that I wanted more. Years later when I finally went back to school, I did it on my own terms. I worked hard, leaned on the support of my counselors, professors and my husband, I started to believe in myself again. For the first time, I saw my potential. I wasn’t broken—I just learned differently.
A decade later my path eventually led me to create GouldWood Meadows, after walking through one of many darkest times of my life—experiencing 5 pregnancy losses including 2 traumatic ectopic pregnancies, depression and PTSD. I couldn’t find the support I needed, so I decided to become that support for others. What started as a space for women healing after loss became something much bigger—a safe haven for anyone carrying pain, grief, or trauma. Through this work, I fell in love all over again with the human mind, with healing, and with the way people can rise from the hardest things. It reminded me why I’ve always been drawn to psychology—because understanding the mind is a way to understand healing itself.
Now, stepping into my Degree in Psychology and Master’s in Counselling feels like both the scariest and most right thing I’ve ever done. I won’t lie—I’m terrified. There’s a part of me that still hears that counselor’s voice, still wonders if I’m enough. But there’s a louder voice now—the one that believes in me, that knows I was meant to do this. I’m doing it not just for the child in me who felt unseen, but for everyone who’s ever doubted themselves. This is my time to rise, to make myself proud, and to use everything I’ve been through to help others heal. Because I finally understand—this isn’t just what I want to do. It’s who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Taylor Gould, and I’m the person behind GouldWood Meadows, a space where people and horses come together to heal, grow, and reconnect. I’m an Equine Facilitator, a lifelong horse lover, and someone who has walked through my own experiences with trauma, grief, and self-discovery. My journey has taught me the power of compassion, patience, and listening—both to ourselves and to the incredible animals I work with every day.
GouldWood Meadows is more than just a program or a facility—it’s a space I created out of my own need for support and understanding. After facing loss and not finding the help I needed, I wanted to build a place where people could truly feel seen, supported, and understood. Here, we combine holistic approaches with the science of psychology, guided by the wisdom of horses, to help people navigate their own healing journeys. Every session is unique, personal, and deeply connected to both human and animal energy.
I’m also a lifelong learner, currently pursuing my Degree in Psychology and Master’s in Counselling, diving deeper into the things I’ve always been passionate about—understanding people, resilience, and the mind’s ability to heal. Outside of my work, I’m a proud wife and an avid reader. I love curling up with a good book, spending quiet moments in nature, or enjoying time with my horses, who constantly remind me of patience, trust, and the beauty of connection.
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: healing happens when we allow ourselves to be seen, supported, and connected—to ourselves, to animals, and to the world around us. That’s what drives me every day, and it’s what makes the work at GouldWood Meadows so meaningful.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I didn’t really have hopes or dreams in the way many kids do. I knew I had a natural connection to animals and a deep, instinctive desire to help people, but I didn’t fully understand what that meant or how it could shape my life. I was sensitive to the emotions of those around me, and I think I carried the weight of empathy from a very young age, even if I didn’t recognize it at the time. What I did feel clearly was a sense of being unwanted or unloved, and I believed that if I could make everyone else happy, maybe then I would be loved in return.
For many years, that belief guided me, often at the expense of myself. I tried to find worth in pleasing others and in gaining approval, not realizing that true happiness couldn’t come from external validation. I felt alone and disconnected from the concept of a healthy relationship, even when I began dating my future husband. It took time to learn that love, kindness, communication, and respect—things I wasn’t consistently shown as a child—are fundamental to connection, both with others and with myself.
Over time, I began to understand that I didn’t need anyone else to “make” me happy. I realized that self-respect, self-compassion, and valuing my own feelings were just as important as giving love to others. I learned that I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect simply because I exist, and that my happiness isn’t dependent on anyone else’s approval or validation. This shift changed the way I saw myself and the world around me.
Today, I no longer feel alone. I am surrounded by love—a devoted husband, cherished friends, and a wonderful circle of animal companions who keep me grounded and joyful. I am truly seen, valued, and loved, and that belief has transformed both my personal life and the way I show up for others. I now understand that happiness and worth come from within, and I carry that truth with me in everything I do, both personally and professionally.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: don’t be afraid to be true to yourself. You don’t have to change or hide who you are to be loved or accepted. The sensitivity, compassion, and empathy you carry are your greatest strengths, not your weaknesses. One day, those very traits will become the foundation of your purpose and the reason you’re able to help others heal.
I’d tell her to always remember to be strong, even when life feels heavy and unfair. The pain, the losses, and the moments that felt impossible to survive—none of it will break you. Those experiences won’t define who you are, but they will guide you toward what you truly want in life. They’ll remind you of what really matters: love, honesty, kindness, and peace.
I’d remind her that she is worthy of love and happiness simply because she exists. That she doesn’t have to earn it by being perfect or by making everyone else happy first. She will grow into a woman who stands tall in her truth, who loves deeply, and who uses her story to bring light to others.
Most of all, I’d tell her to hold on—to keep believing, even on the hardest days. Because everything she’s gone through will someday make sense. It will give her strength, purpose, and the courage to create a life filled with meaning, connection, and love.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
If I’m being honest, the public version of me and the real me are two completely different people. The version most people see—the professional one—is calm, confident, grounded, and sure of herself. She’s the woman who runs GouldWood Meadows, helps others heal, and carries herself with grace. But the real me, the one few people see, still struggles with insecurities, self-doubt, and moments where confidence feels hard to hold onto.
The public version of me often puts on a face—not because I’m trying to be someone I’m not, but because I’ve learned to be strong for others. When people come to me for support, they need to feel safe and held, and I want to give them that stability. What many don’t realize is that behind that strength is someone who’s still learning, still growing, and still figuring out how to love herself fully.
The real me is sensitive, emotional, and sometimes uncertain. She feels deeply and worries about being “enough.” But she’s also honest, compassionate, and resilient. I think both versions of me are real—they just show up in different ways. The professional side is who I’ve grown into through experience and purpose, while the private side is who I’ve always been underneath it all.
I’m learning that it’s okay to let those two parts of myself coexist—to be both strong and vulnerable, confident and uncertain. Because the truth is, my authenticity doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from showing up as I am, even when I’m scared. And the more I embrace that, the closer those two versions of me become to finally being one and the same.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I think I was doing what I was told to do rather than what I was truly born to do. I spent so much of my life trying to impress others—trying to fit into expectations that were never really mine. I thought that if I made everyone around me happy, if I did what they wanted or what seemed “right,” then maybe I’d finally feel proud of myself. But all that really did was pull me further away from who I actually was inside.
It took years, a lot of healing, and some painful lessons to realize that I didn’t need to live my life for anyone else’s approval. I had to learn that doing what others wanted wasn’t the same as doing what I was meant for. The truth is, my heart has always known the path I was meant to take—it was just buried under fear, self-doubt, and the need to be accepted.
Now, I can honestly say I’m doing what I was born to do. Working with people and horses, creating space for healing, and studying psychology and counselling all align with who I am at my core. This path feels natural, peaceful, and deeply fulfilling in a way that nothing else ever has. It’s not about impressing anyone anymore—it’s about honoring my purpose and being true to the person I’ve become.
I’ve learned that the greatest freedom comes when you stop living for others and start living for yourself. I’m proud that I’ve finally stepped into the life I was meant to live—the one that allows me to use my heart, my experiences, and my voice to help others find their own healing and truth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gouldwoodmeadows.ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gouldwoodmeadows/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gouldwoodmeadows
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gouldwoodmeadows
Image Credits
GouldWood Meadows
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