Depending on the day, kinesiology sophomore Taylor Towery can be found in class, practicing with North Texas Cheer or getting shot in the chest on the set of AMC's The Walking Dead.

"Being a stunt zombie is weird," says Towery, who was surprised to find that every zombie in the show has a unique acting style. "Until they said 'Action,' I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do."

Stunt work is a family business for Towery, whose dad, Russell Towery, is the stunt coordinator for the series.

"I love the challenge of figuring out how it's going to happen and what you need to do to keep safe but make it work," Towery says. "The adrenaline is my favorite part. It's such a rush!"

As a full-time student involved on campus, she says prioritization is key. She credits understanding professors, who help her out when they can, and a 10-year gymnastics career that taught her to manage time wisely. Towery has performed stunts in Language of a Broken Heart, Cooper and the Castle Hills Gang and 2014 films Merry Friggin' Christmas and Hoovey. She hopes to continue stunt work alongside a career in corporate wellness.