Utah
Utah triplet dad on ‘Dancing with Myself’ talks about lessons learned on, off stage
Jake Taylor-Baumann performs on NBC’s “Dancing with Myself” on June 21. (NBC )
Estimated learn time: 4-5 minutes
LEHI — It was the second many childhood years within the making. Jake Taylor-Baumann of Lehi was dancing in entrance of an viewers on a nationwide stage.
On June 21, Taylor-Baumann and 13 others competed on NBC’s “Dancing with Myself,” which is hosted by the likes of superstars Shakira and Nick Jonas. Contestants on the present are taught a dance after which separated into pods to carry out that dance by themselves. Every dancer is judged by the viewers, with the hope of creating it nearer to the $25,000 grand prize on the finish of every episode.
Now, for the spoiler alert: Taylor-Baumann was eradicated after the primary spherical.
Taylor-Baumann mentioned that whereas it was a sting to the ego to lose, he got here away from the present with but another life lesson he’d prefer to cross on to his three kids — 18-month-old triplets.
“As a father, I need to educate my youngsters that it is necessary to do scary issues whatever the final result,” he mentioned. “Generally these scary issues result in a number of the finest issues.”
This lesson is one Taylor-Baumann has come to be taught slightly later in life as a person who gave up on his love of dancing as a result of it did not match the mildew he felt he wanted to suit.
“I began dancing after I was 8 years previous, and I actually beloved it. However I give up after I was 12 as a result of I believed that individuals would suppose I used to be homosexual,” Taylor-Baumann mentioned. “I had a number of regrets for quitting dancing, and now that I’ve youngsters, it is necessary for me to be my genuine self for them.”
It was being open about being his genuine self that Taylor-Baumann mentioned helped him transfer ahead with the life he at all times needed however by no means thought he may have.
Discovering love
Taylor-Baumann mentioned he beforehand felt ashamed of who he was, however after discovering love, his true character started to emerge.
“Once I got here out to my household that I used to be homosexual, I believed it was going to be the top of the world,” Taylor-Baumann mentioned. “Fortunately, my household has been very supportive, and it wasn’t the top of the world.”
Taylor-Baumann finally met his now-husband, Sean Taylor-Baumann, and the 2 married in 2016. Collectively, they started a profitable actual property enterprise, and the one factor that was lacking was increasing their household.
“My husband and I each grew up desirous to have kids, and so we seemed for tactics to develop our household,” Jake Taylor-Baumann mentioned. “We considered adopting, however then seemed into having a surrogate.”
Heartache, then shock
The couple was capable of finding a girl prepared to be a surrogate, and so they proceeded with implanting the embryo. Sadly, 12 weeks into the being pregnant, the girl miscarried.
“It was actually laborious once we discovered that our surrogate had miscarried,” Jake Taylor Baumann mentioned. “We actually needed to have the ability to develop our household, and it was devastating.”
Jake Taylor-Baumann defined that after some exams, the couple determined to search out one other surrogate who was then implanted with two embryos in hopes that one would take. In a loopy flip of occasions, not solely did each of the embryos take, however one of many embryos break up, and so they discovered themselves anticipating triplets.
In January of 2021, the couple grew to become mother and father of two an identical women and one boy.
They shared their story on Instagram and TikTok and it went viral. In sharing their story, Jake Taylor-Baumann mentioned they obtained a showering of affection and help — and an invite to bounce on a nationwide stage.
Coming full circle
Jake Taylor-Baumann mentioned he beloved to bounce, and reiterated how a lot he regretted quitting as a toddler.
He mentioned that whereas issues did not pan out for him on the present, he needs to proceed to bounce as a manner of bringing again that a part of himself, and to indicate his kids how necessary it’s to be your truest self. He mentioned he hopes to proceed dancing because the years go on.
“I would like my youngsters to understand how necessary it’s to reside authentically and with out regrets,” Jake Taylor-Baumann mentioned. “Dancing is so releasing for me, and I need to proceed to bounce so long as I can.”