Brooke Clay Taylor: Fueled by Adventures
At age seven, a year after her dad graduated to heaven after taking down colon cancer, Brooke Taylor’s grandmother painted this portrait of a white bison calf, Miracle.
A white, not albino, bison is incredibly rare. As in 1 in 6 billion rare. Miracle, who symbolizes rebirth, brought people from around the globe together.
Throughout every season of her life as a first generation college student, a small business owner, and cancer destroyer, Brooke took this painting literally with her.
In fact, it was the very inspiration for the Rural Gone Urban, and now Rural Gone Urban Foundation, logo.
Even today, the newspaper clipping of Miracle who was born in Janesville, Wisconsin is taped to the back of the canvas.
When a storm arises - literally or figuratively - we have an opportunity to lean into it, or run.
Bison do what any of us hope we’d do it in that situation — they face the storm.
While the others — elk, deer, moose, et al. - run, bison turn into the storm. And in doing so, they’re in midst of the storm for less time than those who are running with it.
Perspective is Key when Living Intentionally
Brooke lived an entire lifetime filled with global adventures, Mad-Men style advertising jobs, launching a new business, and a love story fit for a made-for-tv movie.
And, then, on July 22, 2019, that big, bold life simply became the prequel.
Life handed Brooke a pivot by way of a breast cancer diagnosis six hours before she welcomed her her baby into the world.
While this season felt like unwillingly being drafted into war, Brooke marched into the fire and owned the narrative.
As a tenured brand strategist and communicator, Brooke began keeping some of the words for herself. First, as therapy. And, then, as bread crumbs for those who will come after her.
Despite a complete pathological response to chemo and being declared cancer-free, in 2022, it returned for an act two.
In the wake of her second cancer diagnosis, Brooke launched The Rural Gone Urban Foundation to support brave, strong women who need people in their corner. The B and C students seeking scholarships. The small-town moms whose businesses only exist as ideas. And especially the women in the ring with cancer.
Today, Brooke lives in the light at the end of the tunnel with a handful of “clear” scans in her rear view. She inspires anyone who is ready through her wit, humor, and real reel.
Her life is mix of her career as a brand strategist with clients in the ag sector and 1:1 coaching clients, leading the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, and making memories with her family.
