NATM Spotlight: Shea Taylor Steps In When Seconds Matter Most

Athletic Trainers are often the steady presence behind the scenes—but sometimes, they’re called on in life-or-death moments. For Marymount University Athletic Trainer Shea Taylor, that moment came suddenly.

On Jan. 31, while preparing for a women’s basketball game, Taylor was alerted that someone had collapsed.

“She told me someone had fallen… then she said, ‘No, somebody literally collapsed,’” Taylor recalled.

Without hesitation, she sprinted to the gym.

“I was sprinting so fast, my phone flew out of my pocket… but I wasn’t worried about that.”

When she arrived, a spectator—later identified as Gregg Stewart—was unresponsive.

“He was blue in the face and obviously not breathing,” Taylor said.

She immediately began CPR as an AED was brought in. Within moments, Stewart began to respond.

“It was all a blur, but something inside me just took over,” she said. “Everything you learn in training just starts to flow.”

Weeks later, Stewart returned to thank her in person.

“My family and I will be forever grateful… I know that I would not be here… if it was not for Shea,” he said.

For Taylor, the moment reflects the deeper purpose behind Athletic Training.

“You never expect to be in a moment like that… I’m just grateful that I was there.”

It’s a powerful reminder—Athletic Trainers don’t just support athletes. Sometimes, they save lives. Read the full story here!