On the surface, Taylor Rohatinsky looks like the kind of athlete who has always had it figured out.
As a distance runner for BYU, she appears calm on race day, disciplined in training and confident in herself. But behind the performances is a story shaped by uncertainty, injury and learning how to separate who she is from what she does.
Outside of competing, Rohatinsky finds joy in the quieter parts of life. Whether it’s traveling, cooking, spending time in the sun or being with family and friends, she said those moments help keep her grounded
“I care a lot about living with purpose and staying close to my faith through all of it,” Rohatinsky said.
Track itself came unexpectedly.
Growing up, Rohatinsky played soccer before eventually stepping away from the sport during high school. It wasn’t until her senior year that she discovered running, and immediately, something clicked.
“Being so excited each day to get up and just run, it was very simple and natural,” she said.
That simplicity eventually led her to BYU, where she developed into one of the top runners on the women’s track team. But during her career, injuries became an ongoing battle. The hardest battle came after a stress fracture in her ankle, which eventually led to reconstructive surgery, following months of failed rehab.
Suddenly, everything slowed down.
While her teammates trained, competed and broke records, Rohatinsky was learning how to navigate life without the sport that had become such a huge part of her identity. She couldn’t walk normally. She couldn’t train.
“The hardest part was feeling disconnected — from my team, from competing, from the version of myself I was used to,” Rohatinsky said.
The physical recovery was difficult, but the emotional side of the injury challenged her even more. Day after day, she had to choose hope even when progress felt slow. Instead of focusing on results, she learned how to focus on the process.
“What kept me going was knowing this wasn’t the end of my story,” Rohatinsky said. “Even though my path looked different, my goals and dreams never changed. I was just on the scenic route.”
During recovery, Rohatinsky said her faith became an anchor. In moments where she felt defeated, she leaned on the belief that there was still purpose in what she was going through.
“My faith also played a big role — I had to trust that there was something I could learn from it, even when I didn’t fully understand it.”
Little by little, she found herself again.
Now that she is back to competing, Rohatinsky said her relationship with the sport has changed. Racing is no longer only about proving herself or chasing results. After having the sport taken away, simply being healthy enough to compete again means more than it once did.
“My comeback has meant a lot more than just results,” Rohatinsky said. “It feels different now — it’s more about appreciating the opportunity I have to race again.”
The experience also changed the way she sees herself.
“It taught me that I’m more than just my performance,” Rohatinsky said. “I can go through hard seasons and still come out stronger than before.”
As Rohatinsky looks ahead to the NCAA finals, she said she is excited to compete freely again and embrace every moment she once took for granted.
For her, the races ahead are about more than times on a clock. They are proof of everything it took to make it back.