-
"Taylor Rae Almonte is what one would call a multihyphenate. She’s an athlete, of course. A hardcore boxer. And an actress who dabbles in off-Broadway. But beyond the beaming smile, the signature slicked-back pony, and that seriously impressive left hook is where Almonte’s most important work lies: anti-racist activism in the wellness space. It’s a crusade she’s leading via livestream workout classes, weekly newsletters, and the just-launched ACTIV-ISM fitness program that offers resources and support to a growing community of steadfast pupils. “I realized that I was using fitness as a way to process a lot of the complex emotions that I was experiencing—especially at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement,” she says. “I thought, If this works for me, maybe it will work for other people.”
— goop, “How One Athlete Turned Activist Gets It All Done in a Day”
-
"When does Taylor Rae Almonte sleep? With her jam-packed schedule, we’re not sure she does. As an actor, Reebok athlete, trainer and activist, Almonte uses her platform to create change and amplify marginalized voices. She’s intent on making an impact on the world and has found a way to combine her passion for wellness and racial justice through her Fitness Activism work. In addition to acting and training, Almonte is the co-founder of anti-racism wellness program ACTIV-ISM, on the founding board of the non-profit Claim Our Space Now, a founding member of Fit For Us and writes a weekly anti-racism newsletter. Like we said, she never stops."
— Reebok, “Making a Difference with Taylor Rae Almonte”
-
"Racism is a public health crisis. Black folk being well is part of an anti-racist future. Taylor Rae Almonte, an actor, activist, and Reebok athlete, used to suffer from shame when it came to self-care. After co-founding Activ-ism, an anti-racism wellness program, she explains to Globe culture columnist Jeneé Osterheldt, she can't go back."
— The Boston Globe, “Wellness is a beautiful resistance”
-
"This Afro-Latinx entrepreneur is tackling racism and mental health in different spaces. Taylor started ACTIV-ISM, an anti-racism program that combines fitness and social justice."
— NowThis, “This Fitness Instructor Is Inspiring Others One Workout at a Time”
-
"Taylor Rae Almonte, a Brooklyn-based trainer, actor, athlete, and activist...felt that, while [her] skills are up to par, [she has] been the recipients of benefits based on this bias. “I’m seen as a palatable way to diversify a company,” says Almonte, noting her fair skin and her mixed-race background. “Being commodified for my blackness to diversify a space, to make other people comfortable, is problematic.” Almonte also notes that in these white fitness spaces, she has been told that she is “different” from other Black people—something she views as a backhanded compliment that is rooted in stereotypes and biases of what constitutes being Black.
— SELF, “What It Means to Be Black in Fitness”
-
"...In partnership with the Boston Globe, Reebok designed stories to live forever, kicking off in February, through the short film series, “A Beautiful Resistance”. Hosted by columnist Jeneé Osterheldt, the series features inspiring Black doers and creators who infuse joy through a union of wellness and fitness in their communities. The partnership demonstrates the brand’s commitment to create a movement that supports and appreciates communities out loud. Featured in the series is actor, athlete, trainer and activist Taylor Rae Almonte, a co-creator of ACTIV-ISM, an anti-racism wellness program that uses fitness as a pathway to anti-racism education and inclusivity. Almonte is a straight up boss who steadily blazes her own trail, and shared with us mindful ingredients for creating lasting change, how to lift others up, and the importance of self-care."
— Reebok, “A Beautiful Resistance, Reebok Celebrates Black Stories”
Podcast Interviews
-
#HURDLEMOMENT: Trainer Taylor Rae Almonte On Having Conversations About Racism
“February marks Black History Month, a time for education and celebration of Black culture. Today, I'm grateful to have Taylor Rae Almonte, an Afro-Latina actor and activist, on the show to share her story and have an open, honest conversation about race. Taylor’s a trainer at Rumble, a Reebok-sponsored athlete, and co-founder of an anti-racism wellness program ACTIV-ISM — which combines regular movement and mindful activities (from equipment-free workouts and walks to journaling) with anti-racism education. For today’s installment of #HURDLEMOMENT, she’s chatting with me about how she's combined her passions for social justice and health to find new purpose over the past year. We also unpack a handful of racial justice terminology to empower us to continue to have thoughtful, progressive dialogue going forward.”
-
Let's Talk, Activism & The Truth Behind Starting A Business with Co-Founders of Activ-ism Taylor Rae Almonte & Kira West
“So many of us are tying to collide our passion with our career. Kira and Taylor are doing that with their company ACTIV-ISM. These two women share openly about their journey of starting a business that is deeply personal to them. The work they are doing will be extremely impactful for so many people. We cover the art of balancing everything, getting started, speaking dreams into existence, imposter syndrome and more. Taylor and Kira remind us to be the change we want to see.”
-
Taylor Rae Almonte Shares Her Personal Wellness Journey + How She Combines Fitness and Anti-Racism Work Through Her Platform ACTIV-ISM
“Today on the podcast we welcome Taylor Rae Almonte. Taylor is a Brooklyn based Afro-Latina actor, athlete & activist. Her work meets at the intersection of racial justice and wellness and she utilizes her unique skill set to educate, empower and amplify marginalized voices in all aspects of her life.
Taylor is a Reebok Athlete, the co-founder of ACTIV-ISM, an anti-racism wellness company with Kira West, the Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Rumble Boxing in addition to being a boxing trainer, the Director of Community, Diversity and Inclusion at Ateam, and she is the author of a weekly anti-racism newsletter. On this episode she shares her journey as a performing artist, expanding her life and work to match the many facets of herself and her gifts, and how she uses fitness as a modality to explore and help others pursue anti-racism work within themselves.”
-
How leaning into activism changed my friendships: A conversation with actor/athlete/ activist Taylor Rae Almonte-Roman
“Taylor Rae Almonte-Roman is a Brooklyn based Afro-Latina actor, athlete and activist who founded ACTIV-ISM, a wellness company dedicated to providing programs and resources to aide in the fight for social justice. But when she really leaned into activism, she noticed it directly impacted some of her friendships. Today she'll share a bit of her story, and it will offer validation to other women of color who sometimes struggle to feel truly seen in their interracial friendships.”
-
Anti-racism, Relationships, Fitness, Acting with Taylor Rae Almonte
“Honored and grateful to have Taylor Rae Almonte on the pod today — she's one of those people that I had never talked to, yet followed on social media and 100% felt confident we were already friends 😂She's such an incredible human, we touch on all the things: Anti racism, long term relationships, fitness, acting (she plays June on HBO's Succession!)”
-
Finding Diverse Vendors For Your Wedding Ft. Taylor Rae Almonte
“This week, Nicole is joined by athlete, activist and 2022 bride, Taylor Rae Almonte to chat about bringing on inclusive and diverse vendors for your wedding. First we get to know Taylor, her fiance, and their wedding planning so far. Then, Nicole asks about Taylor’s activism and how it sparked the idea to seek out vendors of all backgrounds and her reasoning behind it. Next, they listen to a Voicemail from a bride wondering what to do when her fiance's family is expecting her parents to pay for the wedding. Lastly, they end on “Unpopular Opinions” discussing if you need to have every relative at your wedding, if you really need a wedding party, and if you need to go around and greet everyone at the reception.”
-
Part 11
A much needed conversation with Taylor Rae Almonte, James C. Barnett & Jarreau Bowen
-
Taylor Rae Almonte on Coping with Rejection, Working as an Actress, Activist & Athlete, and Black Lives Matter
“I sat down with Actress, Athlete & Activist, Taylor Rae Almonte, to talk about all 3. We had such an important conversation around the Black Lives Matter movement, allyship, police brutality, activist imposter syndrome and how to be an activist.”
-
#BLM: A conversation about racism with Taylor Rae Almonte
“On today's episode I was able to sit down with my friend and colleague Taylor Rae Almonte to unpack and discuss systemic racism and how we can play a role in working against it. Taylor is an actor, and athlete (I work with her at Rumble Boxing!) and she's recently taken on the role of social media activist. Her weekly #BLM newsletters have key terms, topics, and discussion points to help educate and inspire. I am so thankful and privileged to be able to learn from her as well as have her on my platform to share with others.”
-
Fighting In The Ring & For Equality with Taylor Rae Almonte
“In Episode 25 I chat with Taylor Rae Almonte who is a trainer at Rumble Boxing but also a performer on the rise. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has an incredible resume to say the least. Taylor is truly a fighter in every area of her life. In the episode we dive deep into the Black Lives Matter movement and what the message is. Being that Taylor identifies as a Black Lantix individual, she was able to provide the perspective of what's its like to be a POC of in the United States. Another interesting perspective is that Taylor is in an interracial relationship which allowed her to give insight into other types of discrimination. We cover many topics in this episode such as personal experiences, racism in culture, how to support & how to maintain mental health during this time. I learned so much from Taylor this episode and I know you will too.”