PHOENIX  – From cross-country moves to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Taylor Rocha is proving women in sports belong.

In an industry shaped by rigid analysis and traditional voices, Rocha redefines what sports coverage looks like on her own terms. 

The Las Vegas-based sports journalist said she isn’t trying to be the loudest voice in the room; rather, she’s trying to be the most human.

“I just want to make sports more approachable,” Rosha said during a phone interview. “They’re not just someone to analyze, but someone to connect with.”

Rocha’s rise reflects a broader shift in sports media, where authenticity and human-centered storytelling are gaining ground against the analytical approach that long dominated the field. Her work shows how women are widening the emotional range of sports coverage by bringing empathy, personality and accessibility to spaces that once demanded conformity.

The pressure that comes with being a woman in sports media is real, Rocha says, but it doesn’t define her; instead, she embraces the spotlight instead of hiding from it. 

“I don’t think of being a woman as something negative at all,” she said. “I think of being a woman in sports as a superpower.” 

Rocha wields the “superpower” of being a female in sports with a combination of confidence, empathy and intelligence, proving authenticity is a strength, especially in an industry centered around serious and ultra-formulated reporting.

Although Rocha leaned into her toolset, working in the New England region challenged her creativity.  

Early in her career, Rocha moved from Kansas to New England, a place where fans don’t just watch sports, they live them. 

“At the beginning of the day, the fans knew more than I did,” she admitted. 

Rather than retreat, Rocha says she dug deeper. 

“My basic knowledge was only going to get me so far,” Rocha said. “I have to give the viewer something they didn’t already know.” 

Her commitment to preparation helped shape the thoughtful and informed storytelling she’s known for today.

Even with all the challenges, Rocha remains who she is, personality and all. She won’t tone down her sense of humor, warmth or femininity for the sake of fitting in. 

“The more that you lean into you, the better,” she emphasized. “Never take yourself too seriously.” 

Rocha’s mindset of being herself is evident in everything she does, from reporting to interviews to the way she engages with the audience. Rocha brings a human element to an industry that sometimes feels scripted and fake. 

Likewise, Rocha says humanizing athletes plays a factor in everyday storytelling.

She portrays the stars on the field not just as statistics or highlights, but as humans with stories, struggles and emotions. 

“We’ve lost a little bit of humanizing,” she said. “You really have to slow down and bring it back to earth and remind people that athletes are humans too.”

Conversely, Rocha says she wants her coverage to reflect the whole picture: the moments of triumph and disappointment, the pressure behind the scenes and the human experience that fans rarely see. 

Empathizing with athletes allows Rocha’s reporting to connect with viewers on a deeper level, she says, showing that their lives are not defined by the scoreboards but by the complexities of being human. 

By focusing on athletes’ humanity, Rocha said she hopes to make sports feel more welcoming to a broader audience, not just to hardcore fans who already speak the language of sports. 

“Sports fans are smart,” she said. “But I want it to be comfortable for people that know nothing about sports, too.” 

Rocha wants to close the gap and welcome those who might feel excluded from sports culture. Her work reminds everyone that sports are ultimately about people, passion, and shared experiences.

For any young woman wanting to follow in her footsteps into the sports world, Rocha has a clear message: Be yourself, wherever the journey takes you. 

Sports careers move quickly, she says. Cities will change, roles can shift and opportunities often appear when you least expect them. Growth comes not from waiting for or wanting the next big call or promotion, but from fully living in the moment.

Looking forward, Rocha said she dreams of focusing more closely on a single team; digging deeper, building relationships, and telling richer, more niche stories. 

However, Rocha isn’t rushing toward anything. Instead, she highlights the importance of consistency, patience and dedication in her current role. 

“It really is just taking it day by day and doing the best you can with what you’re doing every day,” she said. 

With her voice, mindset and approach, Rocha embodies a growing shift in the sports media industry; one that values humanity alongside strength, humor with analysis and authenticity through professionalism. 

Rocha proves women don’t have to change who they are to belong in sports, instead they bring expertise, personality and empathy to the field.

In a slow-evolving industry, Rocha’s example reminds us that diversity of voice and the courage to be yourself matter. 

Her presence on camera opens the door for other women, encouraging them to pursue careers in sports without sacrificing creativity. 

Remaining unique while understanding the media landscape, Rocha isn’t just reporting games, she’s reshaping the culture of sports journalism itself.

Rocha’s story is one about growth, courage and authenticity. Her journey embraces challenges rather than fearing them, using different perspectives as strengths and finding power in vulnerability. 

Whether Rocha moves across the country to face a new audience, humanizes athletes for viewers or mentors the next generation of women in the field, she shows what it means to thrive on your own terms.

“Really bloom where you’re planted,” she says. “Enjoy the journey.”