Photo of author and musician Gail Taylor with her dog.

Embracing curveballs: Gail Taylor’s decision to live with passion, purpose

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Life has a way of throwing curveballs, especially when you least expect them. For Gail Taylor, those unexpected turns shaped her into a woman who now wakes up every morning feeling grateful and inspired.

At 69, Gail wears many hats. A resident of Edmonton, Alberta, she is a musician, keynote speaker, songwriter and author. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention and finding purpose — no matter your age.

Finding strength in loss

Gail’s first major curveball came at age 12. Living in a small mining town in Northern Ontario, she and her family led what she describes as a “Leave It to Beaver” lifestyle. Her father, whom she adored, worked as a miner.

One of six children living in a home owned by the mine, Gail’s life was predictable and joyful, until tragedy struck after her father died suddenly.

“When my father died, everything changed,” she shared. “It wasn’t just losing him; it was the ripple effect. My mom, in her mid-30s, was suddenly a single mother to six kids. She had to move us to a city where she could find work, and I found myself swallowed up by the chaos.”

The grief of losing her father manifested in a unique way. For two years, Gail convinced herself he was still alive, but working undercover for the government.

“It was my way of coping,” she explained.

But by the time she hit her teens, reality and pain caught up with her. Experimenting with drugs and alcohol, she sought solace in all the wrong places.

“It took me 10 years to climb out of that dysfunction,” Gail admitted, noting her journey wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t without more challenges.

A turning point

In her early 20s, Gail had a pivotal realization which sparked her lifelong commitment to personal growth.

“I woke up one morning, hungover and surrounded by a mess, both in my home and in my soul,” she said. “I thought, ‘There has to be more to life than this.’”

Gail turned to classic self-help works like Napoleon Hill’s book, “Think and Grow Rich.” She immersed herself in seminars, books and courses.

“I wanted financial independence, and that’s what I worked toward,” she explained.

Her efforts led her to a successful career as a financial advisor who managed high-net-worth clients. In the process, Gail became financially independent herself.

But success in one area of life didn’t shield Gail from new challenges. Despite her professional accomplishments, addiction remained a shadow in her life, and its impact would soon ripple into her family.

The ripple effect of addiction

By her mid-30s, Gail was raising two children by herself — a son and a daughter — while juggling her career. She was a “functioning addict,” using mind-altering substances daily without recognizing the toll it was taking on her life and her family.

“I thought I was doing fine. I worked hard, I provided for my kids, and I thought hiring great babysitters was enough,” Gail said.

But when her son turned 12, history began to repeat itself as he started using addictive substances.

“I moved him across the country, introduced a new man into his life, and he spiraled into addiction, just like I had. It broke my heart,” she admitted.

Watching her son struggle with opioids forced Gail to confront her own addiction.

“That was my second bottom,” she admitted. “I realized I couldn’t help him until I helped myself.”

Through hard work, education and unwavering determination, Gail got clean. Her son eventually followed suit, and today, he’s thriving in recovery.

“He’s one of my best friends now,” Gail said with pride.

A late-in-life passion for music

At 58, Gail’s life took another unexpected turn. On a whim, she decided to take piano lessons, despite having no musical background.

“I fell in love with it immediately,” she said.

That love grew so strong that Gail retired early at 61 to study music full-time. She enrolled in online courses at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

Within two years, Gail realized her newfound passion wasn’t just about learning to play instruments, it was about inspiring others.

“People started telling me how inspiring it was to see someone my age reinventing themselves,” she explained.

That feedback planted the seed for what would become Gail Taylor Music, a company through which she shares her music and motivational speeches.

Inspiring others to ‘Be Their Own Wings’

Gail’s keynote speeches are rooted in the lessons she’s learned from her own curveballs. One of her most impactful talks is titled, “Be Your Own Wings,” which focuses on helping families of addicts navigate their pain.

“Addiction is a family disease,” Gail explained. “It’s not just the addict who suffers; the entire family is affected.”

She encourages loved ones to establish boundaries and practice self-care, even amid the chaos.

“You don’t have to sacrifice your happiness because someone you love is struggling,” she said. “You can support them without enabling them.”

Gail also speaks about the importance of pursuing passion and purpose, especially for those over 50.

“This stage of life is the perfect time to revisit the dreams you put on hold,” she said. “It’s never too late to start something new.”

Curveballs: A soundtrack for resilience

In November 2024, Gail released her book, “Curveballs: Unlocking Your Potential Through Personal Growth and Inspirational Music.” It is a combination of memoir and personal growth guide. Each chapter is paired with a song Gail wrote, accessible via QR codes embedded in the book.

“Music is healing,” Gail said. “It has the power to reduce stress, create focus, and bring peace to the soul.”

The book shares the tools and techniques Gail has used to overcome her challenges, offering readers a roadmap for navigating their own curveballs.

“The biggest message is this: If I can do it, so can you,” Gail said.

Living with purpose

Today, Gail lives a life brimming with purpose and joy. She’s a proud grandmother to five, a mentor to many, and a beacon of hope for those facing their own struggles.

Her advice to anyone over 50 looking for direction is simple.

 “Don’t settle. Keep searching until you find what lights you up,” she explained. “And when you do, go all in.”

For Gail, reinvention isn’t just possible — it’s essential.

“Life is full of curveballs,” she said. “But it’s not the curveballs that define you; it’s what you do with them.”

Gail’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the joy of living with passion and purpose. Whether through her music, her speeches or her book, she’s helping others turn their challenges into opportunities. Gail’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to create a life you love.

For more information

People can connect with Gail on a variety of platforms:

Her book, “Curveballs: Unlocking Your Potential Through Personal Growth and Inspirational Music,” is available on Amazon and at other bookstores.

If you order Gail’s book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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