As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina approach, global attention will focus on athletes performing under extraordinary pressure. That same pressure resonates with professionals in the financial world, where high-stakes decisions often unfold in real time and under intense scrutiny, according to a recent article in InvestmentNews.
InvestmentNews recently spoke with Cohen Taylor, a behavioral wealth specialist at Mission Wealth. Before entering wealth management in 2019, Taylor spent more than two decades as a competitive figure skater and elite coach, experiences that continue to shape her approach to advising clients.
Taylor explained that competitive skating taught her that the greatest challenge oftencomes from within. Under pressure, athletes may abandon a disciplined process in response to doubt or fear. Taylor told InvestmentNews that she now sees the same dynamic in investing, particularly during market volatility or major life transitions. Taylor focuses on helping clients stay anchored to preparation, process, and long-term goals rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market movements.
Competing without the ability to pause or restart also sharpened Taylor's ability to manage emotions when the stakes run high. She learned to treat emotions as information rather than threats, a mindset that allows for regulation instead of reaction. Taylor applies this principle by helping clients recognize emotional responses without allowing those responses to dictate financial decisions.
According to InvestmentNews, Taylor also emphasized the importance of resetting quickly after setbacks. In figure skating, dwelling on a mistake often leads to additional errors. She sees a parallel in investing, where clients may feel compelled to act quickly after losses, compounding harm through reactive decisions. By slowing the moment and reinforcing long-term perspective, Taylor helps interrupt that cycle and restore discipline.
Taylor told InvestmentNews that structure and preparation play a central role in her advisory philosophy. She noted that uncertainty often triggers fear, loss aversion, and short-term thinking. Building a clear decision-making framework in advance - one that aligns strategy with values and defines expectations for volatile periods—reduces the likelihood of emotionally driven choices.
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