For Taylor Campbell-Phipps, storytelling was never part of the plan until life, purpose, and passion collided. The former Division I soccer player has traded the pitch for the producer’s chair, helping bring Nickelodeon’s newest special Game Changers: Chasing Goals to life.
The special, which premiered on Wednesday (November 5), follows two talented young female soccer players from completely different worlds whose shared love for the game reveals deeper connections around identity, culture, and resilience. Featuring appearances from soccer icons Brianna Pinto, Briana Scurry, and Kim Crabbe, Chasing Goals is part of Nickelodeon’s new Game Changers series, which is a collection of specials spotlighting athletes rewriting the rules both on and off the field.
For Campbell-Phipps, the story hits close to home. As a Black woman who grew up playing competitive soccer, her own experiences fueled her desire to create something deeply authentic and emotionally grounded — a project that mirrors the real journeys of athletes who often go unseen.
“Game Changers was born out of my own yearning to see myself represented — to see stories that reflected not just the athlete, but the whole person,” she tells Celeb Secrets. “And what better way to create that representation than through stories that kids can see themselves in?”
We caught up with Taylor to talk all things Game Changers: Chasing Goals, her journey from athlete to storyteller, and how she’s helping Nickelodeon spark a new era of sports storytelling that’s just as inspiring as it is real. Keep reading for the full Q&A and don’t forget to let us know if you watched (and loved) it by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
Celeb Secrets: For those just getting to know you, how did your journey as a Division I soccer player lead you to storytelling and producing powerful specials like Game Changers?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “My journey from being a Division I soccer player to storytelling really started with my own lived experience. Growing up as a Black woman playing soccer at a high level in the U.S. was a powerful experience and also a complicated one. So often, it felt like I had to leave parts of my Blackness off the field, that assimilating was the only way to belong. Game Changers was born out of my own yearning to see myself represented to see stories that reflected not just the athlete, but the whole person. And what better way to create that representation than through stories that kids can see themselves in?”
CS: Was there a specific moment or mentor that made you realize you wanted to tell stories about athletes rather than just be one on the field?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “It’s funny the moment it clicked for me wasn’t on the field at all. During my sophomore or junior year, I took a film class for three credits. We’d watch incredible films and learn about the history of storytelling through cinema, and I completely fell in love with it. It was the first time I realized how powerful stories could be in shaping how we see the world.
As athletes, we were often discouraged from pursuing artistic majors, but that class opened something in me. Later, I started creating short edits on TikTok mixing music with the words of Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Nina Simone voices that have always moved me deeply. That creative experimentation helped me see storytelling as another way to express purpose and truth.”
CS: You’ve gone from athlete to producer. What’s one thing both worlds have in common that people might not expect?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “How competitive both worlds are and how much discipline and resilience it takes to succeed. Whether it’s sports or storytelling, it’s about showing up every day, staying curious, learning constantly, and focusing on the process instead of just the outcome. That mindset has been a bridge between both parts of my life.”
CS: Chasing Goals beautifully highlights two young female soccer players from completely different backgrounds. What inspired this story, and what message did you want audiences especially young girls to take away from it?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Honestly, the idea for Chasing Goals started as a feature documentary which we’re actually still developing and currently raising funds for. When the opportunity came to pitch to Nickelodeon, it wasn’t the original plan, but it ended up making perfect sense. It became this amazing proof of concept for what’s possible when we center honesty and humanity in storytelling.
The entertainment industry is in the middle of a major reset, and I wanted to help shape what comes next where the true currency isn’t clicks or trends, but emotion. People want to feel again.
Ultimately, I hope audiences walk away with a deeper sense of perspective. Chasing Goals lets people see the world through experiences they may not have lived, but can still connect with on a human level. It’s about recognizing yourself or someone completely different from you and
realizing how much shared strength and emotion exists between us. I want people to feel empathy and understanding at the same time, and to see how inspiring it is to witness such grit, resilience, and determination in these young girls chasing their dreams.”
CS: The special includes incredible icons like Brianna Pinto, Briana Scurry, and Kim Crabbe. What was it like bringing these trailblazers together, and how do they embody the spirit of a “Game Changer”?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “It was honestly surreal. Growing up in soccer, I wasn’t often in spaces where everyone looked like me or fully understood what my experience was like. So to now be in rooms and on calls with women like Brianna Pinto, Briana Scurry, and Kim Crabbe, it was really powerful. Every conversation felt historic in its own way. You could sense that we were breaking a bit of glass together just by being there, existing in that space.
Each of these women embodies what it means to be a Game Changer simply through who they are and how they move through the world. They’ve faced real challenges stories that aren’t always visible behind their brilliance yet they’ve continued to show up with grit, grace, and incredible integrity. They don’t complain, they don’t make excuses; they just work, elevate others, and honor both the art and the culture of the sport. Having them be part of Game Changers was truly a no-brainer.”
CS: How did you go about finding and selecting the two main athletes featured in the episode? Was there something about their energy or story that stood out to you right away?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Honestly, the biggest thing we told Tara Cole, our amazing showrunner, and Jasmine Davis, our incredible casting director, was that we wanted the two main athletes to be serious about the sport. Not just talented but truly committed.
As someone who grew up watching women’s soccer stories, I loved films like She’s the Man and Bend It Like Beckham. But even back then, it was clear that the actors weren’t real soccer players in the truest sense. We didn’t want that disconnect. We wanted girls who lived and breathed the game.
We got so many submissions and still do, honestly but these two girls stood out immediately. One plays for a very competitive club team structured, uniformed, regimented, part of that traditional pipeline that produces top athletes. The other comes from a different environment adopted into a culture that’s not necessarily her own, often being the only one who looks like her on the field. Her parents have done such a beautiful job of trying to give her the right opportunities, but there’s still this visible difference in access and resources.
What moved us most was how their stories mirrored and contrasted each other at the same time. They share the bond of being young Black girls chasing their soccer dreams, but their paths look completely different economically, socially, geographically. Seeing that range of experience side by side felt powerful, and it really captured the heart of what Game Changers is all about.”
CS: The special celebrates diversity, passion, and identity in sports. How did you ensure that authenticity and culture were woven into the storytelling process?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Honestly, to put it simply, we made sure authenticity was possible by making sure the team behind the camera reflected the people on camera. That was non-negotiable for us.
There were moments during pre-production where every single person on a call was a Black woman or a woman, period and that felt historic. We had two Black women consulting producers, a Black woman showrunner, a Black woman casting director, and of course, Black women as our subjects. That alignment wasn’t just symbolic; it was essential. Authenticity comes from truth. How can you tell the truth if you don’t understand it?
Nickelodeon really supported that vision from day one. I’ve never felt more reassured or empowered to lead a project that stayed true to its purpose. When the storytellers share some lived experience or emotional understanding of the story being told, that authenticity and culture are naturally woven in.
Audiences can feel that. They know when something’s genuine, and they also know when it’s not. That’s why it was so important that the people stewarding this project from concept to edit truly understood the heartbeat of the story.”
CS: Nickelodeon has always championed young dreamers. How do you think this special aligns with Nick’s mission to inspire the next generation?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Oh my gosh in such a huge way. I think Game Changers: Chasing Goals perfectly aligns with Nick’s mission because it’s all about giving young audiences something they can see themselves in something fun, inspiring, and real.
Nickelodeon has a really unique opportunity right now. There’s a lot of white space in family-friendly, culturally competent, sports-centered storytelling. It’s not easy to balance all three, but I think we were able to thread that needle in a way that feels fresh and relevant.
Soccer, especially women’s soccer, is having a major moment in the U.S. With massive tournaments coming up including future World Cups Nickelodeon is so well positioned to become the platform for young fans who love the game. And not just girls all kids who love soccer and stories about determination and belonging.
At 2NIL Media the company my team and I started once it became clear there was a real opportunity to define a new category our mission has always been to create space for storytelling that’s emotionally grounded but still aspirational. We wanted to build something that feels authentic to people’s lived experiences while still inspiring what’s possible.
So for us, this partnership with Nickelodeon isn’t just a one-off project it feels like the start of a long-term collaboration to inspire the next generation of athletes, dreamers, and storytellers.”
CS: As a former athlete yourself, what was it like being behind the camera this time, watching other young girls chase their goals on the field?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Honestly, it was incredibly humbling. I wasn’t physically behind the camera during production it was a quick turnaround but Tara, our amazing showrunner, and the production team were truly boots on the ground in both filming locations. I had the chance to shadow Tara closely during post-production, and that’s when it really hit me.
Watching these young girls see their stories come to life and knowing they were being shared on a national stage was surreal. It left me speechless more than once. As someone who grew up chasing my own soccer dreams, seeing the next generation get that kind of visibility and support was beyond special.”
CS: Representation in sports storytelling is so important. How do you hope Game Changers helps expand the narrative of what a “successful” athlete looks like?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “I really hope Game Changers helps expand that definition in a meaningful way. Right now, Black women are getting incredible visibility in soccer. There’s something truly monumental happening in that space. But for me, it’s also about acknowledging the full reality that comes with that visibility.
Success isn’t just the highlight reel. It’s also the loneliness, the doubt, the moments that test your strength and identity especially when you’re breaking barriers. My goal wasn’t to frame that experience in a way that asks for pity, but to honor it honestly. Because that duality, the beauty and the pain is real. It’s human. And it’s a part of what makes sports so powerful.”
CS: Do you have a favorite moment from filming that really stuck with you, either something inspiring or just a fun behind-the-scenes memory?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Honestly, I’d say there are two moments that really stand out for me. The first was early on, when our producing team had one of our first big calls with Jasmine, our casting director, and Tara, our showrunner. Coming from a background in tech, fundraising, and higher education, I’d never been on a professional call where everyone looked like me.
The second moment came toward the end of the process, when I finally got to meet Savannah and Ryan, the two athletes featured in the special along with their parents. That call felt like such a full-circle moment.
It took me back to those early development conversations with Tara and our consulting producer, Kayla Mills, who has been instrumental in helping us shape Game Changers and in attracting talent for both this project and our feature documentary that’s currently in development. Back then, we were still figuring out what criteria would define our casting what “fit” really meant beyond just skill level.
To then meet the girls who embodied everything we had hoped for was a dream come true. Seeing their excitement, their families’ pride, and knowing how much care went into bringing it all together that was the moment that really touched my heart.”
CS: If Game Changers continues as a series, what sport or story would you love to spotlight next
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Oh my goodness there are so many. Throughout this process, we’ve heard incredible stories about Black women in sports like hockey and softball, and those experiences really deserve more visibility. I also think women’s basketball would be a powerful next story. That sport, in so many ways, is already ahead of the curve when it comes to representation and embracing Black culture. There’s a lot we can learn from that.
I’d also love to follow young female soccer players over time from middle school through college. There’s such a pivotal moment in that journey when recruiting starts and the pressure ramps up. The whole pay-to-play model in youth sports is something I think needs to be examined honestly. It’s a huge barrier to access. Even Kim Crabbe, one of our legends featured in Chasing Goals, mentioned that accessibility in the sport has actually gotten worse since her playing days, which is heartbreaking.
As someone who grew up in a family that couldn’t always afford the costs that came with elite soccer travel, hotels, coaching fees I know firsthand what that pressure feels like. I was lucky to have families in my community step in and support me, and I never took that lightly. There’s a powerful story there about the village it takes, the sacrifices families make, and the resilience of kids who carry those dreams forward.
So for me, the next chapter of Game Changers could explore those intersections of access, race, class, and ambition through the eyes of young athletes and their families. Those stories are universal, and they really speak to what’s happening in youth sports across the country right now.”
CS: What’s something you learned while working on Chasing Goals that surprised you, either as a producer or as a former athlete?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “I don’t know if ‘surprised’ is the right word, maybe ‘reassured’ is better. What really struck me was how dynamic the entire production process is. The rhythm of pre-production, production, and post is full of these alternating lulls and sprints, and I actually found that really engaging. One day, I might be talking to a brand that wants to donate cleats; the next, I’m prepping talent for their deliverables or coordinating with a professional club team that wants to send a video congratulating the girls. No two days look the same, and I love that energy.
Personally, it’s also been grounding. I’ve spent much of my 20s exploring different industries, tech, fundraising, higher ed trying to find where I truly felt at home. Working in media and storytelling has been this beautiful reassurance that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. It’s a field built on relationships and collaboration, and that aligns so deeply with who I am. I’m a people person through and through, and seeing how heart-centered this industry can be has been both surprising and incredibly fulfilling.”
CS: What’s your personal “Game Changer” moment — the decision or risk that changed everything for you?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “About a year ago, I made the biggest leap of my life. I left my job working in the Financial District on Wall Street. I was doing well there, even breaking sales records, but something in me just wasn’t aligned. With the support of my amazing partner, Elise Braseth, who really encouraged me to take the risk and pursue what I love, I decided to walk away and bet on myself.
I come from a long line of entrepreneurs on both sides of my family, so that spirit was already in me. I started The Resonance Group, where I worked as an advisor and consultant for tech startups many of which had been clients from my previous roles. It was liberating to build something of my own, but even with that freedom, I realized I still wasn’t doing work that moved me. I was helping companies scale B2B software, but my heart wasn’t in it.
Then, last summer, everything stopped. I got really sick with an autoimmune disorder called ITP and spent about four weeks between the hospital and ICU. My immune system had basically started destroying my blood platelets. It forced me to slow down, to reevaluate everything. I’d been running myself into the ground, and the experience made me ask some hard questions about purpose, joy, and alignment.
When I started to recover, I found myself reflecting on my relationship with soccer. My time playing Division I at Penn State was complicated. I was part of the 2015 national championship team, but I didn’t get the experience I’d dreamed of. I didn’t get much playing time, and it was a politically charged time in the country, especially on college campuses. I was outspoken, and I’m not sure that always fit what people expected from me. I learned to compartmentalize parts of myself to belong, and that left me feeling disconnected from the game I loved.
So when I started to rebuild my life and career, I kept coming back to soccer. It was like a thread pulling me home. Around that time, I talked to a producer who became an early mentor. I told him I wanted to start telling stories, and he said, ‘Start where your connections are. Start where your heart is. For you, that’s soccer.’
That moment changed everything. It gave me permission to merge purpose and passion to tell stories that felt true to who I am and where I come from.”
CS: So lastly, why should Celeb Secrets readers tune in to Game Changers: Chasing Goals on Nickelodeon?
Taylor Campbell-Phipps: “Game Changers: Chasing Goals is the kind of story that Celeb Secrets readers are going to connect with immediately. It gives an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the next generation of athletes — young Black women who are carving their own paths in a sport that hasn’t always made space for them.
It’s inspiring, it’s real, and it’s packed with that energy and confidence that define Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Black culture is mainstream culture. It drives the music, the fashion, the language, the rhythm of what’s cool right now and Game Changers taps into that in such an authentic way.
At its core, this is a story about ambition, identity, and belonging themes that anyone chasing their own version of success can relate to.
For Celeb Secrets readers who love pop culture with heart and meaning, Game Changers is exactly that.”
