This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear the full conversation, visit keelysemler.substack.com.

This week I’m thrilled to be joined by Taylor Mckay Smith, a mother, model, and doula, for a powerful conversation about beauty, resilience, and reclaiming the narrative of womanhood.

In this extended conversation, Taylor reflects on how her experiences in modeling and motherhood have reshaped her understanding of beauty. She candidly discusses the pressures of the fashion industry's external gaze, sharing that her first modeling job was for a wrinkle campaign at just 15 years old.

We also explore how social media influences cultural expectations around beauty and self-worth, and the intentional ways Taylor protects her well-being online.

Taylor reflects on the lessons she’s carried forward from her own upbringing, and what she’s chosen to unlearn. She also opens up about her long journey to receiving an endometriosis diagnosis; the struggle to be heard, the relief of being believed, and the healing path she’s found since.

This is a tender conversation about redefining beauty, trusting your inner wisdom, and standing firmly in your truth.

Taylor McKay Smith is a Canadian model and photographer. She is also a trained birth doula, wellness counselor and passionate women’s health advocate. Based in Los Angeles, she cherishes time in nature with her husband and children.Taylor has spoken at events like the Path to Parenthood Summit on body image during pregnancy and postpartum, and co-hosted Elevate Women’s Health Pregnancy Roundtable. She recently co-created Haven for Moms, a pop-up sanctuary supporting mothers affected by the LA wildfires.Taylor is also the co-host of The Mother Circle podcast, launching soon. Across all her work, Taylor remains dedicated to redefining how we support, see, and celebrate women and mothers.

Join us for an extended, intimate conversation with Taylor McKay Smith available exclusively to Behind Closed Doors subscribers where Taylor shares candid insights into her journey, offering a deeper look at the experiences and lessons that have shaped her path. Subscribers also receive access to additional content, including personal reflections from me as a women’s health educator, mentor, and doula.

Your subscription supports the heart of this work, covering production costs and helping sustain meaningful, independent content for a growing community. If you value honest storytelling and perspectives that often go unheard, I invite you to join us at keelysemler.substack.com.

6:10 The transformation of Taylor’s understanding of beauty

11:03 Balancing the fashion industry’s external gaze with internal beauty

13:54 Commenting on someone else’s body

16:29 “Bouncing back”

18:07 Discernment

24:12 Protecting your well-being while engaging with social media

26:05 Mom burnout

28:09 Embracing and unlearning: Mothering is an inside job

40:25 Surrendering control and befriending fear

47:55 Identity and purpose after motherhood

49:24 Haven for Moms

55:05 Endometriosis: from diagnosis to treatment, mixing holistic and medical

1:01:07 Motherlands and mothering is for everyone

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