Today we’d like to introduce you to Malique Taylor.
Hi Malique, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Oceanside, California and found myself in Olathe, Kansas after being recruited for football and playing at MNU (MidAmerica Nazarene University). Through my undergrad, I was pushed my several of my professors to pursue a masters degree in Counseling. So, MNU was my home for several years where I completed undergrad and masters, while also pursuing to go professional with football.
With the help of a handful of mentors, I was empowered to launch my own practice and pursue an area of interest. By the time I was getting to meet with clients on my own and shape my identity as a mental health therapist, I decided to stop pursuing football as a profession and picked up Jiu Jitsu at Marathon Martial Arts Academy in Overland Park. There I listened to years of Trey Ogden (a professional UFC fighter) talk about mindset and life outlook, where I then decided I wanted to get back into the world of athletics with the tools that I have.
With a private practice already established in Overland Park, I spent my free time reading articles about mental health and sports perforce for athletes, as well as reading books from some of the best to do it. Over the span of a year and a half, I worked on a book that aimed at kick starting my journey back into the athlete world using what I learned in grad school, my own experiences and what I learned from others. With that, I published my book “Unbreakable Athlete: Becoming the Best Internal and Physical Athlete” in August of 2025 and will then begin to work on complimentary projects to further establish myself into the athlete world in Kansas and Missouri.
At the same time, I have also been working as a therapist for KidsTLC Lotus Clinic where I am heading a collaboration with a local non-profit called “Fight Club” aimed at helping the mental health of our teen population. A population that over the years has demanded more attention and support.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say looking back on the journey, it has been a smooth ride, but being in the moment I could recall moments of uncertainty and bouts of imposter syndrome. Every therapist going through graduate school learns about the imposter syndrome. The position that we are in is challenging in the sense that people come to us for help and we are supposed to face those problems with them without flinching. For anyone, that can be daunting.
Of course, the next roadblock is finding you passion in the world of therapy. To be constantly hear the things we do and face the things we face, you got to have passion in what you are doing otherwise burnout happens really fast. Then with finding a passion area, you face the slow build up of clientele and lower finances.
Other than that, its a process to become anything of substance and there are also moments of sunshine that happen that let you know that this is all worth it and we are doing the right work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My practice is in Overland Park in the Corporate Woods area. Some thing to know about my practice is, that I don’t stick to one type of therapy modality. With a lot of my roots of therapy coming from KidsTLC and their DDP philosophy, I believe at meeting people where they are at. At times, people need CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and in other moments we needs to be more EFT (emotion focused therapy) heavy.
Within my practice, I stated out working with anyone and everyone. As I am finding my niche, I do enjoy working with client 14 and older, couples and of course would love to have a practice full of athletes, high performers and performers. As far as what I am known for, it depend on who you ask. Some people know me for an effective couples counselor and others know me for having strong CBT practice with athletes, performers and behavioral challenged clients.
I feel that because I have been an athlete for so long, and have had so many unique and rewarding experiences in that part of my world, I can understand the finer details of an athlete and performer coming into my office. But that is not the extent, I know I don’t know everything and new information is always coming out, I constantly find new studies and read books too stay in the loop and provide my clients with the best information possible. I am constantly growing for the sake of my own development and my clients needs.
For those reading this, I would like them to know to get into my schedule while it is open! With the release of my book and soon to come projects, I plan on filling up pretty fast! I am also working on building a community centered around healthy athletes, parents of athletes, coaches of athletes, trainers and so on. Reach me by email or through my website and I’d love to connect and work with you.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Some things that I enjoy about Kansas City as a whole is the diversity that it provides and the amount of “hidden gems” that are offered. Having been here for several years, I have developed my own traditions and established myself as a regular in places like the “Conductors Club” and “Made in KC” in Lenexa.
I also enjoy the people. Kansas City has a good mix of people who were born and raised in Kansas City but also have people come from all over the world to go to school or experience one of the many sports teams there are to enjoy.
When it comes to the downside of Kansas City, it is clear that in this time of life, the amount of crime that happens is a turn off to many. It is not discouraging because when I first got here, there was a clear lack of emergency vehicle sounds compared to where I come from in California. I am hopeful things will get better soon.
Pricing:
- Individual Therapy – $100 / $120
- Family and Couple Dynamics – $150
- Sliding Scale – Contact me for specific pricing
- Group / Workshop – depends on # of people and where
- Speaking Engagements – depends on what and where
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trailblazer-therapy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ7J8GIREOj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Trail-Blazer-Therapy/61575524313542/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malique-taylor-400499a3
- Book Link: https://a.co/d/7gnJheB
