Pips Taylor: An explosion of goodness

TV presenter, radio host, DJ, creative content producer, TEDxTeen Global Livestream Host, and voice-over artist, Pips Taylor is an unstoppable figure of broadcasting gusto. But when she’s not in the studio, Pips devotes herself to the causes close to her heart. While studying Spanish in Mexico, Pips narrowly avoided sexual assault after a cab driver attempted to abduct her. Now she’s helping women through the courts of law with charity Rights of Women, and working with global partnership Vital Voices, to nurture the next generation of world-changers

Can you tell us about your work with Rights of Women?

I met them back in 2012 when I was doing a documentary [I Never Said Yes] for BBC Three, which tackled issues of consent in the UK. I’m one of their patrons and together we produce films that help women navigate the courts of law.

What do the films cover?

Little things that not everybody knows about. If you’re navigating your way through the courts of law and you’re not a lawyer, you wouldn’t know what to do or how to prepare. It’s so important that people have the information they need to make an informed decision.

You’re also involved in Vital Voices?

Yes! I’ve just been made a global ambassador for Vital Voices. They organise these amazing global networking events and walks. You go for a walk, and someone mentors you. My mentee wants to go into DJing, but support is across the board.

If you invest in one person, and they’re fighting to change the world, that spreads like an explosion of goodness.

What are your thoughts on the MeToo movement?

It seems like most women, unfortunately, have been in a difficult and tricky situation. But there’s a lot of stigma, and a lot of victim-blaming. When people have gone through something, they’re going to process it in their own way, but survivors should always be believed.

You had your own experience in Mexico. Did you face victim-blaming then?

Not from the people close to me, but there was a bit of self-blame. I’m a small 5ft 1in female, an easy target, and someone tried to take advantage of that. I thought I shouldn’t have got in the cab, and you go through the “shoulda woulda”. You do agonise over it, and there’s a lot of anxiety around that.

How do you get your work-life balance right?

With difficulty! I learned the hard way. I’ve burnt out a few times from saying yes to everything. It’s only been in the past few years that I have been able to do address that.

What does self-care look like for you?

Going to exercise classes – but that’s something I’m really bad at! It’s the first thing that goes when I’m really, really busy, but it’s the first thing I notice when I haven’t done it. For me, self-care is also about chilling out and having a bath, turning my phone off for 20 minutes, not doing too many double-screens, and making time for myself.

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Hero Photography | Joseph Sinclair