Get to Know U.S. Olympic Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor

The bobsledder may have a few medals, but at her core, she’s a foodie who loves math.

Two-time U.S. Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor has it all: She’s a self-proclaimed foodie, lover of calculus and her husband is also a U.S. Olympic bobsledder—and her training partner.

But the current world champion is not averse to challenges. She’s had her fair share of difficult circumstances. Her solution? To just keep getting back up. 24Life asked Taylor to answer a few “behind the scenes” questions about herself before she headed to PyeongChang, South Korea, for the Olympic Winter Games 2018.

24Life: What were you like in high school?

Elana Meyers Taylor: I was heavy into sports, because I was really focused on trying to get an athletic scholarship. But outside of sports, I was really bookish, really focused on my studies. I was on the math team. I really enjoyed calculus. I really enjoyed chemistry. I didn’t do a lot socially. I liked to have my head in a book. But what I did do outside of the classroom was sports.

24Life: If someone made a movie of your life, what would it be called and who would play you?

EMT: If someone made a movie of my life, it would be called “Get Back Up,” because I’ve had a lot of different circumstances in my life that have shown me that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you have to get back up. Kerry Washington would play me in the movie because she’s a fellow George Washington University grad, and I also love “Scandal.”

24Life: If you won the lottery right now, what would you do?

EMT: If I won the lottery right now, I would make sure everything’s paid off for [my parents]. Whether it’s their house or their car—anything they ever need. I would do the same for my brothers and sisters. And I would start a scholarship fund for my nieces and nephews. I’ve got seven of them, soon to be eight. And then for myself and my husband, just start with buying a house. I don’t know where it would be because we travel so much, but a house would be nice.

24Life: So you’d keep competing?

EMT: I would always compete regardless of whether I won the lottery or regardless of any financial outcome. I don’t compete for the money. I compete because I love it so much.

24Life: What’s your favorite workout song?

EMT: My favorite workout song, at the moment, is “Glorious” by Macklemore.

24Life: What’s a song on your workout playlist that might be a bit embarrassing?

EMT: Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood.”

THE ESSENTIAL ELANA MEYERS TAYLOR

24Life: Soda or coffee?

Soda.

24Life: Salty or sweet?

Sweet.

24Life: Hot or cold?

Hot.

24Life: Leg day or arm day?

Leg day.

24Life: Chicken or steak?

Chicken.

24Life: Pizza or pasta?

Pizza.

24Life: Early bird or night owl?

Night owl.

24Life: Instagram or Snapchat?

Instagram.

24Life: Spider-Man or Batman?

Spider-Man.

24Life: Cake or ice cream?

Cake.

24Life: Big city or tropical island?

Tropical island.

24Life: Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

Photo credit: Tom Casey, box24studio.com