Taylor Rooks on Finding Power in Women’s Achievements and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Taylor Rooks, host of NBA on Prime Video and Thursday Night Football, draws strength from watching other women excel, particularly in the world of sports. She shared this insight during a recent interview on the “Nice Talk” podcast with Nikki Ogunnaike, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire.

Finding Inspiration in Female Excellence

Rather than relying on traditional motivational tactics like affirmations or hype music, Rooks finds empowerment by observing the accomplishments of high-achieving women. “So, like, I might watch Beyoncé’s Homecoming documentary, because I watch that and say, ‘Wow, I can do anything. If I had to fly right now, I would figure it out,’” she explained.

Specifically, Rooks cites watching athletes like Coco Gauff and Sue Bird as particularly inspiring. “I’ll watch Coco Gauff beat [Aryna] Sabalenka,” Rooks said. “I’ll watch Sue Bird beat the Phoenix Mercury. It’s these moments where women are powerful I reckon that make me perceive really powerful.”

Navigating Career Challenges and the Power of Asking

The conversation also touched on challenging moments in Rooks’ career. She recounted a formative experience when she received a job offer from TNT while still under contract with SNY. Instead of remaining passive, Rooks proactively approached her boss to discuss the situation.

Her courage to “just ask” led to a surprising and positive outcome. Her boss acknowledged that she had “outgrown” the position and granted her release from her contract, stating, “I appreciate you coming in here and saying all of this. I feel like you have outgrown this place. You are incredible. We will let you head to this next spot.” This experience reinforced the importance of advocating for oneself and taking risks.

Combating Imposter Syndrome Through Preparation

Rooks also opened up about experiencing imposter syndrome, particularly as she embarked on her role with NBA on Prime Video, which she described as “the biggest job that I’ve ever had in my career.” She acknowledged the common internal voice questioning her abilities – “Am I going to be found out? Am I solid enough? Can I do this thing?”

To combat these feelings, Rooks relies on thorough preparation. “I just tried to over, over, over-prepare, which is what I always do,” she stated. She believes that being well-prepared is “the best antidote to not feeling confident.” She also emphasized the value of acknowledging these feelings as a way to confront and overcome them, recognizing that they are often self-created and can be limiting.

The full interview with Taylor Rooks is available on the “Nice Talk” podcast on Spotify and other podcast platforms.