1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:02,390 Carol Cox: What it's like to transform your story into a 2 00:00:02,390 --> 00:00:04,730 movement with my guest, Allison Walsh. 3 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:06,740 On this episode of the Speaking Your Brand 4 00:00:06,740 --> 00:00:15,050 podcast. More and more women are making an 5 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,750 impact by starting businesses, running for 6 00:00:17,750 --> 00:00:20,540 office, and speaking up for what matters. 7 00:00:20,570 --> 00:00:22,790 With my background as a TV political 8 00:00:22,790 --> 00:00:25,640 analyst, entrepreneur, and speaker, I 9 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:28,040 interview and coach purpose driven women to 10 00:00:28,070 --> 00:00:30,680 shape their brands, grow their companies, 11 00:00:30,680 --> 00:00:33,260 and become recognized as influencers in 12 00:00:33,260 --> 00:00:34,340 their field. 13 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,060 This is your brand, your place to learn how 14 00:00:38,060 --> 00:00:41,270 to persuasively communicate your message to 15 00:00:41,300 --> 00:00:42,590 your audience. 16 00:00:42,620 --> 00:00:44,240 Hey there and welcome to the Speaking Your 17 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:46,610 Brand podcast. I'm your host, Carol Cox. 18 00:00:46,610 --> 00:00:49,370 If you've ever wondered how you can take 19 00:00:49,370 --> 00:00:51,440 your personal story or something that you 20 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:53,630 really care about and translate it into 21 00:00:53,660 --> 00:00:56,150 something bigger, to have a bigger meaning 22 00:00:56,180 --> 00:00:58,160 to your audiences and really to spark a 23 00:00:58,160 --> 00:01:00,390 movement, you're going to be inspired by my 24 00:01:00,390 --> 00:01:02,940 conversation today with Alison Walsh. 25 00:01:02,970 --> 00:01:05,130 She has done exactly that, starting at a 26 00:01:05,130 --> 00:01:07,050 very young age, when she was in college, 27 00:01:07,050 --> 00:01:10,200 when she decided to share publicly her story 28 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:12,780 of overcoming an eating disorder and how 29 00:01:12,780 --> 00:01:15,390 that led her to become a national advocate 30 00:01:15,390 --> 00:01:18,000 and has informed so much of the work that 31 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,730 she does. In our conversation, we talk about 32 00:01:20,730 --> 00:01:23,100 the power of vulnerability in storytelling, 33 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:26,700 even when you feel hesitant to do so, but 34 00:01:26,700 --> 00:01:28,560 how empowering it is not only for your 35 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,540 audience, but also for yourself. 36 00:01:30,570 --> 00:01:33,000 Allison shares how she gets her speaking 37 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:34,470 engagements, including keynotes. 38 00:01:34,470 --> 00:01:35,730 You're going to want to take notes on this 39 00:01:35,730 --> 00:01:38,760 one, from local events to major conferences. 40 00:01:38,790 --> 00:01:41,400 We also talk about the importance of finding 41 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,220 your voice and your cause, really thinking 42 00:01:44,220 --> 00:01:47,370 about your bigger why and how to scale that 43 00:01:47,370 --> 00:01:49,380 impact. If you would like to listen to more 44 00:01:49,380 --> 00:01:51,990 of Alison, check out her podcast called She 45 00:01:51,990 --> 00:01:53,430 Believed She Could. 46 00:01:53,460 --> 00:01:55,620 I love that she believes she could. 47 00:01:55,620 --> 00:01:58,300 I was a guest on her podcast last week. 48 00:01:58,300 --> 00:01:59,950 So the week that this episode is airing 49 00:01:59,950 --> 00:02:01,840 right now, I was a guest on Allison's 50 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,880 podcast. The week prior, so make sure to 51 00:02:03,880 --> 00:02:05,110 check that out as well. 52 00:02:05,110 --> 00:02:06,850 All of the links are in the show notes. 53 00:02:06,850 --> 00:02:09,430 If you would like to discover your speaker 54 00:02:09,430 --> 00:02:11,470 archetype, which is going to help you 55 00:02:11,470 --> 00:02:14,290 understand how to leverage your storytelling 56 00:02:14,290 --> 00:02:16,450 as well as your natural strengths and 57 00:02:16,450 --> 00:02:19,030 recommendations for what else you can do. 58 00:02:19,060 --> 00:02:21,940 You can take our free multiple choice quiz. 59 00:02:21,970 --> 00:02:24,220 It only takes a few minutes as speaking your 60 00:02:24,220 --> 00:02:26,200 Brand.com slash quiz. 61 00:02:26,230 --> 00:02:29,230 Again, that's speaking your brand.com/quiz. 62 00:02:29,260 --> 00:02:31,300 Now let's get on with the show. 63 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,000 Welcome to the podcast, Allison. 64 00:02:34,030 --> 00:02:35,560 Allison Walsh: I am so thrilled to be here. 65 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:36,580 Thank you. Carol. 66 00:02:36,610 --> 00:02:39,250 Carol Cox: Well it is it's a thrill to have you here. 67 00:02:39,250 --> 00:02:41,050 And it's so funny because we both live in 68 00:02:41,050 --> 00:02:43,150 Orlando, Florida, but this is the first time 69 00:02:43,150 --> 00:02:45,250 we are officially meeting, I think. 70 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:47,410 I mean, we're online, not in person. 71 00:02:47,410 --> 00:02:49,150 I know eventually we'll meet in person. 72 00:02:49,150 --> 00:02:54,520 I saw you as on a panel last fall, 2023 at 73 00:02:54,550 --> 00:02:56,010 the Orlando Women's Conference. 74 00:02:56,010 --> 00:02:58,050 And then this fall, you are one of the 75 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:00,180 keynote speakers at the Orlando Women's 76 00:03:00,180 --> 00:03:02,550 Conference. So congratulations on that. 77 00:03:02,550 --> 00:03:05,610 And before we dive into your background and 78 00:03:05,610 --> 00:03:07,920 your journey to where you are today, I know 79 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:09,840 my listeners would love to know how did you 80 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:11,610 get this keynote talk and what is it going 81 00:03:11,610 --> 00:03:12,450 to be about? 82 00:03:12,480 --> 00:03:13,710 Allison Walsh: Oh my goodness, Sarah. 83 00:03:13,710 --> 00:03:16,680 Well, I have loved being an attendee or a 84 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:18,840 panelist at this conference for many, many 85 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,590 years. Long story short, Christy Ashby, who 86 00:03:22,590 --> 00:03:24,240 runs the conference along with her daughter 87 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:26,790 Kate, have been long time friends of ours 88 00:03:26,820 --> 00:03:29,010 and they have always been super supportive 89 00:03:29,010 --> 00:03:32,430 of everything happening in my life, my 90 00:03:32,430 --> 00:03:34,440 career. I mean, I can even date back 91 00:03:34,470 --> 00:03:36,780 probably until like the early 2000, where 92 00:03:36,780 --> 00:03:39,000 they were just very, very supportive of 93 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:40,230 things that I was doing at the time. 94 00:03:40,230 --> 00:03:41,490 I was Miss Florida at the time. 95 00:03:41,490 --> 00:03:43,500 They were sharing that message with me. 96 00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:45,090 I've been an advocate in the mental health 97 00:03:45,090 --> 00:03:46,440 space for two decades. 98 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,060 They were always helping to support those 99 00:03:48,060 --> 00:03:50,100 causes, and I think just being on their 100 00:03:50,100 --> 00:03:53,820 radar and always being willing to share my 101 00:03:53,830 --> 00:03:55,450 message with vulnerability. 102 00:03:55,450 --> 00:03:57,010 And really putting it out there, I think, 103 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,770 makes it exciting for them to ask me to be a 104 00:03:59,770 --> 00:04:01,300 part of it, because they know I'm going to 105 00:04:01,300 --> 00:04:04,240 share real life, real scenarios that 106 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:05,890 hopefully will help move their audience in 107 00:04:05,890 --> 00:04:07,480 the direction that they're hoping to make 108 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:08,590 that happen with. 109 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,410 Carol Cox: So I love that this is how it came about, 110 00:04:11,410 --> 00:04:13,330 because what I always tell those of you 111 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,220 listening and our clients is that 112 00:04:15,220 --> 00:04:18,130 relationships, relationships, relationships, 113 00:04:18,130 --> 00:04:20,290 it can be a relationships that you've had 114 00:04:20,290 --> 00:04:21,580 for a year, or it could be a relationship 115 00:04:21,580 --> 00:04:23,110 that you've had for 10 or 20 years. 116 00:04:23,110 --> 00:04:25,870 I know most of my best speaking engagements 117 00:04:25,870 --> 00:04:28,540 have come from relationships that I have 118 00:04:28,540 --> 00:04:31,720 had, and and that you first were an attendee 119 00:04:31,900 --> 00:04:33,190 and then a panelist. 120 00:04:33,220 --> 00:04:35,470 You know, you're constantly not, you know, 121 00:04:35,500 --> 00:04:37,480 on the radar, but on the radar, because that 122 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:39,190 is just who you are. You're going out to the 123 00:04:39,190 --> 00:04:41,230 same events that Christy and Kate are at, 124 00:04:41,230 --> 00:04:43,510 and you're visible and you're sharing your 125 00:04:43,510 --> 00:04:44,920 message, and then they're picking up on 126 00:04:44,950 --> 00:04:47,050 that. So when the time was right, when you 127 00:04:47,050 --> 00:04:48,910 were the perfect person that they were 128 00:04:48,910 --> 00:04:51,490 looking for, you were top of mind for them. 129 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:52,550 Allison Walsh: Yeah. No, I'm honored. 130 00:04:52,550 --> 00:04:54,620 And I think the theme this year of just be 131 00:04:54,620 --> 00:04:57,320 bold, embrace change, make it happen. 132 00:04:57,320 --> 00:04:59,060 I've had a lot of that happen this year. 133 00:04:59,060 --> 00:05:00,950 So I'm going to be sharing really, the 134 00:05:00,950 --> 00:05:02,480 behind the scenes stories that I haven't 135 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:05,540 really shared publicly as of yet, but very 136 00:05:05,540 --> 00:05:07,280 excited to be able to pour into the 137 00:05:07,280 --> 00:05:08,060 audience. 138 00:05:08,150 --> 00:05:10,610 Carol Cox: Well, maybe you can share a bit of those 139 00:05:10,610 --> 00:05:12,590 here, because this episode will air after 140 00:05:12,590 --> 00:05:14,930 the conference. So we we won't be revealing 141 00:05:14,930 --> 00:05:17,660 anything that that, uh, too soon. 142 00:05:17,660 --> 00:05:19,280 But before we get into that, you mentioned 143 00:05:19,310 --> 00:05:20,690 that you were Miss Florida. 144 00:05:20,690 --> 00:05:23,450 So can you tell us a little bit about what 145 00:05:23,450 --> 00:05:26,240 that was like competing for Miss Florida and 146 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:28,220 then your journey to becoming a mental 147 00:05:28,220 --> 00:05:29,450 health advocate? 148 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:32,120 Allison Walsh: Absolutely. So, you know, for me, I didn't 149 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:33,890 grow up competing in pageantry. 150 00:05:33,890 --> 00:05:35,270 It's not like a Toddlers and Tiaras 151 00:05:35,270 --> 00:05:36,470 situation over here. 152 00:05:36,470 --> 00:05:38,540 It was something I started doing in college. 153 00:05:38,540 --> 00:05:40,790 I always wanted to compete at Miss America. 154 00:05:40,820 --> 00:05:43,790 That was the dream, and I started competing 155 00:05:43,790 --> 00:05:45,650 when I was a freshman in college with my 156 00:05:45,650 --> 00:05:46,760 first title was miss UF. 157 00:05:46,790 --> 00:05:49,700 It took me four times to win and it was an 158 00:05:49,700 --> 00:05:50,910 incredible opportunity. 159 00:05:50,910 --> 00:05:53,640 I was actually crowned on my 23rd birthday, 160 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,800 which was a really great birthday gift. 161 00:05:55,890 --> 00:05:58,710 But my message was about eating disorder 162 00:05:58,710 --> 00:05:59,760 prevention and awareness. 163 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:01,560 I unfortunately went through a terrible 164 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:04,020 struggle when I was a teenager and made a 165 00:06:04,020 --> 00:06:06,750 decision when I was 18 years old that I 166 00:06:06,750 --> 00:06:08,760 wanted to help people and make change 167 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:11,220 happen. And most importantly, I never wanted 168 00:06:11,220 --> 00:06:13,050 somebody to feel like they were alone on 169 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:14,550 their journey and their struggle because it 170 00:06:14,550 --> 00:06:17,370 can be very isolating as is, and just not 171 00:06:17,370 --> 00:06:19,110 knowing where to turn and what to do. 172 00:06:19,140 --> 00:06:22,020 And so I started a nonprofit when I was 18. 173 00:06:22,050 --> 00:06:23,310 It initially started as a student 174 00:06:23,310 --> 00:06:25,590 organization at the University of Florida, 175 00:06:25,590 --> 00:06:26,910 and I wanted to make a difference. 176 00:06:26,910 --> 00:06:29,160 And I think when you're a young advocate 177 00:06:29,190 --> 00:06:30,720 talking about something that's pretty 178 00:06:30,750 --> 00:06:33,030 stigmatized still, and it was especially 179 00:06:33,030 --> 00:06:36,810 back then, it got a lot of people noticing, 180 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:39,570 right? And a lot of opportunities came as a 181 00:06:39,570 --> 00:06:41,850 result of me being brave enough to share a 182 00:06:41,850 --> 00:06:44,700 story that so many people could feel, you 183 00:06:44,700 --> 00:06:46,110 know, a lot of shame around. 184 00:06:46,110 --> 00:06:48,240 And so I started sharing my story. 185 00:06:48,270 --> 00:06:50,440 It started becoming something that was my 186 00:06:50,470 --> 00:06:52,060 thing, right? I wanted to be out there in 187 00:06:52,060 --> 00:06:53,410 the community. I wanted to be out there 188 00:06:53,410 --> 00:06:55,330 helping people, and it gained a lot of 189 00:06:55,330 --> 00:06:57,160 traction and a lot of momentum. 190 00:06:57,280 --> 00:06:59,050 It was obviously my my platform. 191 00:06:59,050 --> 00:07:01,090 During my year of service, I had the chance 192 00:07:01,090 --> 00:07:02,800 to travel across the country. 193 00:07:02,980 --> 00:07:05,980 And then literally six years after I was 194 00:07:05,980 --> 00:07:07,900 Miss Florida, a woman that had booked me to 195 00:07:07,930 --> 00:07:11,350 speak as Miss Florida, called me and said, 196 00:07:11,350 --> 00:07:14,200 hey, we have a job working in the mental 197 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:16,180 health space. Is anybody on your board of 198 00:07:16,180 --> 00:07:17,890 directors for your nonprofit looking for a 199 00:07:17,890 --> 00:07:19,870 job? And I was in my third year of law 200 00:07:19,870 --> 00:07:21,700 school, very clear that I did not want to be 201 00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:23,350 an attorney. And I was like, you know what? 202 00:07:23,350 --> 00:07:24,850 This sounds like an amazing opportunity. 203 00:07:24,850 --> 00:07:26,530 And the rest is history. And I've spent two 204 00:07:26,530 --> 00:07:27,700 decades in behavioral health. 205 00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:30,310 I've scaled incredible healthcare companies 206 00:07:30,310 --> 00:07:32,830 from zero to unicorn status. 207 00:07:33,010 --> 00:07:34,930 I've had an unbelievable career. 208 00:07:34,930 --> 00:07:37,150 And it all started with me telling my story. 209 00:07:37,810 --> 00:07:39,280 Carol Cox: Oh, okay. So, Allison, I have so many 210 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:40,570 questions. First, Go Gators. 211 00:07:40,570 --> 00:07:42,460 I'm a UF alum as well. 212 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:45,220 And then so the next thing is so why law 213 00:07:45,220 --> 00:07:47,520 school. Like clearly you know you're such a 214 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,310 great speaker and a podcast interviewer and 215 00:07:50,310 --> 00:07:52,680 a spokesperson. So what drew you to law 216 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:53,940 school? I can see why you. 217 00:07:54,090 --> 00:07:55,530 What drew you out? But what drew you in to 218 00:07:55,530 --> 00:07:56,040 begin with? 219 00:07:56,070 --> 00:07:58,650 Allison Walsh: Yeah, lots of reasons to draw me out, and I'm 220 00:07:58,650 --> 00:07:59,790 stubborn, so I had to finish. 221 00:07:59,790 --> 00:08:01,380 I knew like my first year I was like, this 222 00:08:01,380 --> 00:08:03,660 isn't for me. But I was like, I don't even 223 00:08:03,660 --> 00:08:06,240 know what to do next. But no, seriously, I 224 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:09,570 initially went because I was really sick and 225 00:08:09,570 --> 00:08:11,550 tired of people getting denied access to 226 00:08:11,580 --> 00:08:13,800 insurance coverage in the world that I was 227 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,720 operating in. In the nonprofit world, so 228 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:17,250 many of the families that we were running 229 00:08:17,250 --> 00:08:19,830 alongside were coming to us saying, hey, my 230 00:08:19,830 --> 00:08:21,570 child is struggling, but we don't have 231 00:08:21,570 --> 00:08:24,390 coverage and we can't get access to care. 232 00:08:24,390 --> 00:08:26,430 And this is a life threatening illness. 233 00:08:26,430 --> 00:08:28,920 There was only one attorney that I knew of 234 00:08:28,950 --> 00:08:30,390 in this entire country. 235 00:08:30,420 --> 00:08:31,710 Her name was Lisa Kantor. 236 00:08:31,710 --> 00:08:34,710 She's in California that really specialized 237 00:08:34,710 --> 00:08:36,960 in helping families with loved ones that had 238 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:38,910 eating disorders get access to behavioral 239 00:08:38,910 --> 00:08:41,520 health benefits that they were supposed to 240 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:43,800 have but were being denied coverage on. 241 00:08:43,830 --> 00:08:45,940 And so I literally like, flew to California. 242 00:08:45,970 --> 00:08:49,450 I interviewed Lisa as part of a project for 243 00:08:49,450 --> 00:08:51,160 our nonprofit. I was like, I'm going to be 244 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,350 the Lisa Kantor of the East Coast. 245 00:08:53,350 --> 00:08:55,420 And that was my mission, and that's why I 246 00:08:55,420 --> 00:08:56,980 went to law school. And then I quickly 247 00:08:56,980 --> 00:08:58,660 realized, like, this is the worst. 248 00:08:58,780 --> 00:09:00,250 This is just not my calling. 249 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:01,390 My husband's an attorney. 250 00:09:01,390 --> 00:09:03,160 I'll let him do that. Like, I don't need to 251 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:06,220 do this. But I wasn't really sure what that 252 00:09:06,220 --> 00:09:08,470 next opportunity was going to be for me. 253 00:09:08,500 --> 00:09:11,530 I did not want to practice, um, you know, in 254 00:09:11,530 --> 00:09:13,120 the field. I didn't want to be a therapist 255 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,640 or a psychiatrist, but I loved helping 256 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:17,200 people. And so when that opportunity 257 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:19,450 presented itself to work in behavioral 258 00:09:19,450 --> 00:09:21,850 health and to help connect people with care 259 00:09:21,850 --> 00:09:23,470 more on the business development side, I was 260 00:09:23,470 --> 00:09:25,900 like, this is like perfect for me. 261 00:09:25,930 --> 00:09:28,180 And so that was the first opportunity, which 262 00:09:28,180 --> 00:09:31,360 led to two other incredible opportunities to 263 00:09:31,390 --> 00:09:33,640 be involved in awesome organizations where I 264 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:34,840 learned so much. 265 00:09:34,930 --> 00:09:38,110 Carol Cox: Well, Allison, and your story shows that and 266 00:09:38,110 --> 00:09:40,420 I talked so much about this that the thread 267 00:09:40,420 --> 00:09:43,210 of what matters to you goes back all the 268 00:09:43,220 --> 00:09:45,290 way. And so, you know, we think about we 269 00:09:45,290 --> 00:09:47,780 have most of us have very different things 270 00:09:47,780 --> 00:09:48,830 we've done in our career. 271 00:09:48,860 --> 00:09:50,450 Sometimes things that seem really like 272 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,850 outliers, like, well, how does that part of 273 00:09:52,850 --> 00:09:55,310 my career possibly fit with all these other 274 00:09:55,310 --> 00:09:57,380 things that seem to make sense, like for 275 00:09:57,380 --> 00:09:59,660 you, law school? Like, how would that fit 276 00:09:59,660 --> 00:10:02,930 in? But clearly that still was so reflective 277 00:10:02,930 --> 00:10:05,000 of your mission and your why and what 278 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:06,560 mattered to you, because you wanted to find 279 00:10:06,560 --> 00:10:08,570 a way to get insurance coverage for those 280 00:10:08,750 --> 00:10:10,190 for the people who were suffering from 281 00:10:10,190 --> 00:10:11,660 eating disorders and couldn't get it. 282 00:10:11,660 --> 00:10:14,000 So even though the law didn't end up being 283 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:15,950 your vehicle for that, you found a different 284 00:10:15,950 --> 00:10:17,510 vehicle. But it's all still very much 285 00:10:17,540 --> 00:10:18,980 interconnected with your mission. 286 00:10:19,010 --> 00:10:21,290 Allison Walsh: Oh, absolutely. And you think about just that 287 00:10:21,290 --> 00:10:22,940 drive, that connection to the why. 288 00:10:22,970 --> 00:10:25,730 Right? Not wanting people to walk alone as a 289 00:10:25,730 --> 00:10:28,640 result. Right. Over the last decade plus, as 290 00:10:28,640 --> 00:10:30,170 we've built out these different healthcare 291 00:10:30,170 --> 00:10:33,770 organizations, over 80,000 people got access 292 00:10:33,770 --> 00:10:36,320 to care in the programs that I've been 293 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,000 involved with while I was there. 294 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,150 And my job was to make sure that people in 295 00:10:41,150 --> 00:10:42,600 the community. Professionals in the 296 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:45,060 community knew about the programs, and 297 00:10:45,060 --> 00:10:47,310 families and their loved ones were able to 298 00:10:47,310 --> 00:10:48,750 get what they needed, and their lives were 299 00:10:48,750 --> 00:10:50,160 changed and saved as a result. 300 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,460 So it's like I had, in my opinion, an even 301 00:10:53,460 --> 00:10:56,070 greater opportunity to have scalable impact, 302 00:10:56,070 --> 00:10:58,770 which is something that is the through line 303 00:10:58,770 --> 00:11:00,390 with so many of the things that I get 304 00:11:00,390 --> 00:11:02,430 involved in. And it's one of the things I 305 00:11:02,430 --> 00:11:04,170 look at and say, can this make a massive 306 00:11:04,170 --> 00:11:05,220 difference in this world? 307 00:11:05,220 --> 00:11:06,900 And if the answer is yes, then I'm like, 308 00:11:06,900 --> 00:11:09,630 let's go. So it's a lot of fun in that way. 309 00:11:10,290 --> 00:11:13,260 Carol Cox: Allison, so you've spoken at a lot of events 310 00:11:13,260 --> 00:11:16,020 and conferences and also on your podcast, 311 00:11:16,020 --> 00:11:17,520 and you've been doing this, as you said, 312 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:19,590 since you were really 18 years old in 313 00:11:19,590 --> 00:11:21,390 college and wanting to make this part of 314 00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:23,280 your message and your platform and obviously 315 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:25,620 your story, your own personal story is a big 316 00:11:25,620 --> 00:11:28,020 part of it. So when you were first starting 317 00:11:28,050 --> 00:11:30,600 to tell your story, how did it feel? 318 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,180 Did you kind of what I call like smooth out 319 00:11:33,180 --> 00:11:35,130 the edges, which a lot of us do with our 320 00:11:35,130 --> 00:11:36,750 stories where we don't really feel like we 321 00:11:36,750 --> 00:11:39,060 want to share all that much, like we're a 322 00:11:39,060 --> 00:11:42,240 little afraid to share too much detail, or 323 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,130 too many of the really hard parts of our 324 00:11:44,130 --> 00:11:46,260 story. How did that feel for you, and how 325 00:11:46,260 --> 00:11:48,420 has sharing your story evolved over the 326 00:11:48,420 --> 00:11:49,020 years? 327 00:11:49,050 --> 00:11:50,580 Allison Walsh: Oh, there's there's so many different 328 00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:52,710 iterations and evolutions of this. 329 00:11:52,740 --> 00:11:55,110 You know, I think initially my message was 330 00:11:55,110 --> 00:11:57,600 about the fact that recovery is possible. 331 00:11:57,600 --> 00:11:59,280 I wanted people to look at me and say, if 332 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:01,230 she can get over what she struggled with, I 333 00:12:01,230 --> 00:12:03,270 can get over what I'm struggling with, too. 334 00:12:03,270 --> 00:12:05,700 And that it's it's a hope that's out there, 335 00:12:05,730 --> 00:12:06,900 right? There's something that they can 336 00:12:06,900 --> 00:12:09,930 strive for. In the beginning, especially 337 00:12:09,930 --> 00:12:13,590 because I was freshly in recovery and very 338 00:12:13,590 --> 00:12:15,300 mindful that I didn't want to trigger 339 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:19,020 anybody. I was very, very, very mindful of 340 00:12:19,020 --> 00:12:22,200 what I shared and that was intentional. 341 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:25,380 And also, you know, it helped me be delicate 342 00:12:25,380 --> 00:12:28,530 with myself because I was also still 343 00:12:28,530 --> 00:12:31,200 healing, right? I was I was, you know, a 344 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:32,850 couple of years on the other side of it, but 345 00:12:32,850 --> 00:12:34,590 very much still putting those puzzle pieces 346 00:12:34,590 --> 00:12:37,050 back together. And it was very therapeutic 347 00:12:37,050 --> 00:12:39,270 for me, just like writing my book many years 348 00:12:39,270 --> 00:12:40,710 later was therapeutic. 349 00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:43,140 That was a very therapeutic experience. 350 00:12:43,140 --> 00:12:46,380 It allowed me to find peace and purpose in 351 00:12:46,380 --> 00:12:49,170 something that was so dark and awful and 352 00:12:49,170 --> 00:12:50,640 literally could have taken my life. 353 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:54,690 So that was just such a renewing experience, 354 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:56,850 and it gave me my power back, right? 355 00:12:56,880 --> 00:12:59,550 It allowed me to stand in my truth, and it 356 00:12:59,550 --> 00:13:01,860 also held me accountable, because I knew 357 00:13:01,890 --> 00:13:03,960 that if I was out there sharing a message 358 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:06,690 that recovery is possible, I needed to be 359 00:13:06,690 --> 00:13:08,670 solid in my recovery, right? 360 00:13:08,700 --> 00:13:10,860 And it helped me through some very 361 00:13:10,860 --> 00:13:13,350 challenging times that, you know, I think 362 00:13:13,350 --> 00:13:16,290 because I was so visible and because I was 363 00:13:16,290 --> 00:13:18,120 such an advocate and so present in my 364 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:19,800 community and across the country, like it 365 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:21,180 helped me stay strong. 366 00:13:21,180 --> 00:13:22,980 And I'm very grateful for that. 367 00:13:22,980 --> 00:13:26,040 As I've evolved and as I've had all of these 368 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:28,890 other lived experiences, I've given myself 369 00:13:28,890 --> 00:13:31,860 permission to evolve into who I am now. 370 00:13:31,890 --> 00:13:34,740 Right. And so the story is multifaceted. 371 00:13:34,740 --> 00:13:36,850 That was where it all started versus that 372 00:13:36,850 --> 00:13:38,620 being the only story to share. 373 00:13:38,620 --> 00:13:41,050 And so the older I get, the more stories 374 00:13:41,050 --> 00:13:43,660 I've got to tell. But it's also it all comes 375 00:13:43,660 --> 00:13:45,910 back to your point to where it all began. 376 00:13:45,910 --> 00:13:48,610 And now I get to talk about the lives that 377 00:13:48,610 --> 00:13:50,590 I've changed and the businesses that we've 378 00:13:50,590 --> 00:13:53,020 built. And, you know, me learning how to 379 00:13:53,020 --> 00:13:56,500 share my story and the success I had in the 380 00:13:56,500 --> 00:13:59,380 Miss America realm and Miss Florida, you 381 00:13:59,380 --> 00:14:00,820 know, I've gotten to help a lot of other 382 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:03,310 women package themselves, brand themselves, 383 00:14:03,310 --> 00:14:05,710 tell their stories, you know, make change 384 00:14:05,710 --> 00:14:07,900 happen, make impact a priority. 385 00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:09,820 Because I did it myself. 386 00:14:09,820 --> 00:14:12,460 And I think that is something that, you 387 00:14:12,460 --> 00:14:14,830 know, 18 year old Allison would be really 388 00:14:14,830 --> 00:14:16,990 proud of and probably didn't even see as a 389 00:14:16,990 --> 00:14:19,060 possibility when she started to share. 390 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,690 Carol Cox: And back to that 18 year old Allison, or even 391 00:14:22,690 --> 00:14:24,370 the 23 year old Allison. 392 00:14:24,370 --> 00:14:27,700 What what did you have around you that 393 00:14:27,700 --> 00:14:30,760 helped you to have the courage to go, to 394 00:14:30,790 --> 00:14:32,680 start doing this, to share your story and to 395 00:14:32,710 --> 00:14:34,370 continue to do that. What was helpful to for 396 00:14:34,370 --> 00:14:34,730 you. 397 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:38,570 Allison Walsh: Such a good question, and one that I can see 398 00:14:38,570 --> 00:14:40,340 it as if it happened yesterday. 399 00:14:40,370 --> 00:14:42,950 I think it's really important that we all 400 00:14:42,950 --> 00:14:46,070 have people around us that can help us hold 401 00:14:46,070 --> 00:14:48,410 up the mirror and see ourselves, right. 402 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:50,180 And that's what coaches, trainers, 403 00:14:50,180 --> 00:14:52,100 individuals like yourself, myself, we do 404 00:14:52,100 --> 00:14:53,720 that for other people. 405 00:14:53,750 --> 00:14:55,490 I had that in my life. 406 00:14:55,490 --> 00:14:57,950 And it's actually a woman that's in Orlando 407 00:14:57,980 --> 00:14:59,420 that many people probably know that are 408 00:14:59,420 --> 00:15:00,980 listening to. Her name is Lisa maley. 409 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:04,730 Um, she was my one of my coaches when I was 410 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:07,040 younger, and she was the one that said to 411 00:15:07,070 --> 00:15:09,830 me, Allison, you are blessed with a voice to 412 00:15:09,860 --> 00:15:12,350 tell your story and you have the ability to 413 00:15:12,380 --> 00:15:14,630 change lives. And she was the one that 414 00:15:14,630 --> 00:15:18,260 really planted that seed for me, um, and 415 00:15:18,260 --> 00:15:20,390 stood there with me and helped me learn how 416 00:15:20,390 --> 00:15:22,340 to tell my story from the very beginning. 417 00:15:22,340 --> 00:15:24,110 I stood at the end of her runway in her 418 00:15:24,110 --> 00:15:25,610 studio before, when it was hers, right 419 00:15:25,640 --> 00:15:28,100 before she sold it, and she just listened to 420 00:15:28,130 --> 00:15:29,870 me. She let me work through it, right? 421 00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:31,550 She helped me get my first speaking 422 00:15:31,550 --> 00:15:32,940 engagement at Winter Park High School, 423 00:15:32,970 --> 00:15:34,620 right? Like it was. 424 00:15:34,770 --> 00:15:36,390 She was she was my cheerleader. 425 00:15:36,390 --> 00:15:38,070 She was there because she saw something in 426 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:40,050 me that I didn't see in myself. 427 00:15:40,050 --> 00:15:42,180 And I think it's really important until you 428 00:15:42,180 --> 00:15:44,190 gain that confidence, especially that you're 429 00:15:44,190 --> 00:15:45,960 able to borrow the confidence of other 430 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:47,520 people that are around you. 431 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:49,200 And she was that for me. 432 00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:51,240 And she made a massive difference. 433 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:53,250 And of course, I've always surrounded myself 434 00:15:53,250 --> 00:15:55,380 with coaches and people that can help me be 435 00:15:55,380 --> 00:15:58,110 better. I always think of the best athletes 436 00:15:58,110 --> 00:16:00,180 in the world, surround themselves with the 437 00:16:00,180 --> 00:16:02,520 best coaches in the world because they want 438 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:04,890 to be exceptional, and I have continued to 439 00:16:04,890 --> 00:16:06,210 do the same. If I'm going to do something, I 440 00:16:06,210 --> 00:16:08,220 want it to be great and I'm going to put the 441 00:16:08,220 --> 00:16:10,230 people in my corner that I need to make sure 442 00:16:10,230 --> 00:16:12,270 that I can show up and be my best. 443 00:16:13,020 --> 00:16:15,390 Carol Cox: Yeah, well, I love that you found someone, 444 00:16:15,390 --> 00:16:17,670 especially so early on to be that mirror for 445 00:16:17,670 --> 00:16:19,350 you and to be that coach and cheerleader is 446 00:16:19,380 --> 00:16:20,490 absolutely essential. 447 00:16:20,490 --> 00:16:22,650 And I do liken this a lot to, I think, about 448 00:16:22,650 --> 00:16:24,120 the athletes who go to the Olympics. 449 00:16:24,150 --> 00:16:26,040 You know, we just had the Summer Olympics in 450 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:28,950 Paris just a few months ago and thinking 451 00:16:28,950 --> 00:16:30,870 about the coaches who are there and some of 452 00:16:30,870 --> 00:16:32,510 those coaches have been to the Olympics 453 00:16:32,510 --> 00:16:33,890 themselves, and maybe some of those coaches 454 00:16:33,890 --> 00:16:35,900 have won medals, but some of the coaches 455 00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:37,460 have never been to the Olympics. 456 00:16:37,460 --> 00:16:39,590 And you think like Michael Phelps, coach, I 457 00:16:39,590 --> 00:16:41,360 don't think he's ever been to the Olympics. 458 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,750 But yet he was able to coach Michael Phelps 459 00:16:44,750 --> 00:16:47,000 to I think the, you know, the most medal 460 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,940 count probably for a US Olympian ever, 461 00:16:49,970 --> 00:16:52,880 because he had the coaching skills to do 462 00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:54,530 that. And so a lot of times I feel like we 463 00:16:54,530 --> 00:16:57,320 look for coaches who have achieved the 464 00:16:57,320 --> 00:16:59,810 pinnacle in their career, the pinnacle of 465 00:16:59,810 --> 00:17:02,000 the thing, which could be the case, but not 466 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:03,500 necessarily everyone who does. 467 00:17:03,530 --> 00:17:05,900 The pinnacle is a coach is a good coach 468 00:17:05,900 --> 00:17:07,100 either, like Allison. 469 00:17:07,100 --> 00:17:08,900 I know from having had conversations with 470 00:17:08,900 --> 00:17:11,390 you on this podcast and on your podcast that 471 00:17:11,390 --> 00:17:13,610 you are an incredible coach because you're 472 00:17:13,610 --> 00:17:14,840 an excellent listener. 473 00:17:14,870 --> 00:17:17,360 You see people you see beyond what's on the 474 00:17:17,360 --> 00:17:19,280 surface. You do your research ahead of time 475 00:17:19,280 --> 00:17:20,720 to find out about the person. 476 00:17:20,750 --> 00:17:23,210 Right. So have you found that yourself? 477 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:25,940 Allison Walsh: Absolutely. I mean, I think about the coaches 478 00:17:25,940 --> 00:17:28,520 that I had growing up and then throughout my 479 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,200 journey. Right, They haven't necessarily 480 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,150 done the thing themselves. 481 00:17:33,180 --> 00:17:35,850 Now, I will say there are certain areas 482 00:17:35,850 --> 00:17:37,410 where I do want that, right? 483 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,900 So if I'm hiring a business coach, like I 484 00:17:39,900 --> 00:17:42,630 want them to have been able to demonstrate 485 00:17:42,630 --> 00:17:44,160 that, like they've built the business, 486 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:46,770 right. But like to your point around skills, 487 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,410 right. I think that's where you can hire 488 00:17:49,410 --> 00:17:52,830 people that are just exceptional at helping 489 00:17:52,830 --> 00:17:54,360 you refine your craft. 490 00:17:54,360 --> 00:17:56,670 And so I think it's knowing what you need. 491 00:17:56,700 --> 00:17:58,410 It's seeking out the people. 492 00:17:58,410 --> 00:18:00,780 It's making sure that there's credibility 493 00:18:00,780 --> 00:18:02,100 and proof there. Right. 494 00:18:02,130 --> 00:18:04,500 And that they are they are who they say they 495 00:18:04,500 --> 00:18:06,480 are. And they have a track record of success 496 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,460 even if they haven't done the thing. 497 00:18:08,490 --> 00:18:11,190 Do they have a list of clientele that have. 498 00:18:11,220 --> 00:18:13,500 And that to me is everything. 499 00:18:13,530 --> 00:18:15,270 Carol Cox: Yes. Because sometimes it's easy to do things 500 00:18:15,270 --> 00:18:17,430 for yourself, and it's really hard to figure 501 00:18:17,430 --> 00:18:19,950 out how to help someone else do it for 502 00:18:19,950 --> 00:18:21,540 themselves. Right? Absolutely. 503 00:18:21,690 --> 00:18:23,880 Absolutely. All right, so, Allison, your 504 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,310 podcast and your book are called She 505 00:18:26,310 --> 00:18:29,410 Believed She could, which I love this, this 506 00:18:29,410 --> 00:18:31,180 idea of she believed she could. 507 00:18:31,180 --> 00:18:34,120 So why that phrase in particular? 508 00:18:34,150 --> 00:18:35,830 Why? Why did that resonate with you, and why 509 00:18:35,830 --> 00:18:37,030 do you think it resonates with so many 510 00:18:37,030 --> 00:18:37,480 women? 511 00:18:37,510 --> 00:18:39,490 Allison Walsh: Oh, I think it is one of those phrases that 512 00:18:39,490 --> 00:18:41,680 when you hear it, you're like, yes, I can. 513 00:18:41,710 --> 00:18:44,770 Right. So but you know, for me, the story 514 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:47,440 behind it is that I have a little flip book 515 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,270 of quotes. I love, quotes I always have. 516 00:18:49,270 --> 00:18:50,860 My mom gives them to me all the time. 517 00:18:50,860 --> 00:18:53,110 And I had this flip book sitting on my desk 518 00:18:53,110 --> 00:18:55,930 for years in my coaching studio, and my 519 00:18:55,930 --> 00:18:57,580 daughter would always look at them. 520 00:18:57,580 --> 00:19:00,460 And in 2020, when I decided that I wanted to 521 00:19:00,460 --> 00:19:02,170 start a podcast, we were taking a walk 522 00:19:02,170 --> 00:19:03,490 around the neighborhood because it was 523 00:19:03,490 --> 00:19:05,110 Covid. We had nothing else to do but walk 524 00:19:05,110 --> 00:19:07,030 outside and stay in our house. 525 00:19:07,300 --> 00:19:08,830 So we were walking around the neighborhood 526 00:19:08,830 --> 00:19:09,880 and I like Maddie. 527 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:12,040 I just can't figure out what I want to call 528 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,890 this. And she's like, mom, it's so obvious. 529 00:19:14,890 --> 00:19:16,270 And I was like, what? 530 00:19:16,390 --> 00:19:18,010 Holding up the mirror for me. She's like, it 531 00:19:18,010 --> 00:19:19,390 has to be. She believes she could. 532 00:19:19,390 --> 00:19:21,340 You love that quote. It's on your desk like 533 00:19:21,370 --> 00:19:23,740 it's everywhere. And so it really was Maddie 534 00:19:23,770 --> 00:19:25,540 who, like, called that out for me. 535 00:19:25,540 --> 00:19:27,140 But I think the reason that the quote 536 00:19:27,140 --> 00:19:29,600 resonates so much and of course, the follow 537 00:19:29,630 --> 00:19:31,790 up portion to that is and so she did. 538 00:19:31,820 --> 00:19:34,670 Right, is that it's that affirming factor 539 00:19:34,670 --> 00:19:37,400 that when you do believe in yourself and you 540 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:40,160 take that step, you absolutely can do the 541 00:19:40,160 --> 00:19:41,960 thing, whatever that thing is. 542 00:19:41,990 --> 00:19:44,720 But it has to start with that, at least that 543 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,660 first ounce of belief and that first step. 544 00:19:47,660 --> 00:19:50,330 And so I think it is a tangible 545 00:19:50,360 --> 00:19:53,450 representation of what what we all need to 546 00:19:53,450 --> 00:19:55,040 do. And I've loved it. 547 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:57,170 And, you know, I when we were writing the 548 00:19:57,170 --> 00:19:59,570 book, there were like a million different 549 00:19:59,570 --> 00:20:01,190 book titles that were thrown around the 550 00:20:01,190 --> 00:20:02,810 whole time. And then, you know, the 551 00:20:02,810 --> 00:20:04,490 publisher went a lot of different ways and 552 00:20:04,490 --> 00:20:05,720 went back and forth and back and forth. 553 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:07,130 And let me tell you, writing a book without 554 00:20:07,130 --> 00:20:11,090 a title was awful because, like, I find so 555 00:20:11,090 --> 00:20:13,340 much energy from the title, it's like the 556 00:20:13,340 --> 00:20:14,780 North Star, right? 557 00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:17,150 And so when they finally came back around 558 00:20:17,150 --> 00:20:18,860 and they were like, Allison, we've met with 559 00:20:18,860 --> 00:20:21,140 our advisors, we've met with all of the 560 00:20:21,140 --> 00:20:22,430 people that sell the books to the 561 00:20:22,460 --> 00:20:24,270 bookstores, and we've come up with a 562 00:20:24,270 --> 00:20:25,950 decision. I was like, okay, what is it? 563 00:20:25,950 --> 00:20:27,090 Because this book is coming out in like 564 00:20:27,120 --> 00:20:28,770 three months and they're like, she believes 565 00:20:28,770 --> 00:20:29,970 she could. I was like, you've got to be 566 00:20:29,970 --> 00:20:33,570 kidding me. So after all that, like, you go 567 00:20:33,570 --> 00:20:36,540 back to like, the tried and true, but I do 568 00:20:36,540 --> 00:20:38,910 think that it resonates with so many people 569 00:20:38,940 --> 00:20:40,080 because I think there is. 570 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,690 Everybody can think about at least one thing 571 00:20:42,690 --> 00:20:44,370 that they believed in themselves and they 572 00:20:44,370 --> 00:20:46,830 did. And when you can anchor in belief and 573 00:20:46,830 --> 00:20:48,660 you can use that as proof of concept, it 574 00:20:48,660 --> 00:20:51,480 gives you more opportunity to then find that 575 00:20:51,480 --> 00:20:52,830 next opportunity for yourself. 576 00:20:52,830 --> 00:20:54,000 So I love it. 577 00:20:54,030 --> 00:20:56,310 It feels good as we're building out new 578 00:20:56,310 --> 00:20:58,860 programs within the company now, we're very 579 00:20:58,860 --> 00:21:01,170 much focused on on preserving that identity 580 00:21:01,170 --> 00:21:02,910 because so many people do resonate with 581 00:21:02,910 --> 00:21:05,580 that. And it's exciting to think about all 582 00:21:05,580 --> 00:21:07,710 of the different iterations and offers that 583 00:21:07,710 --> 00:21:10,440 now exist. As a result of Maddie saying she 584 00:21:10,440 --> 00:21:11,370 believes she could. 585 00:21:11,940 --> 00:21:13,860 Carol Cox: Well, this is a great segue, Allison, into 586 00:21:13,890 --> 00:21:15,750 opportunities, because I know that the 587 00:21:15,750 --> 00:21:18,060 message that you've been sharing more 588 00:21:18,060 --> 00:21:20,280 recently is this idea of embracing our 589 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,490 evolution and understanding when to lean in 590 00:21:22,520 --> 00:21:24,080 to new opportunities. 591 00:21:24,410 --> 00:21:26,120 What to look for in opportunities. 592 00:21:26,150 --> 00:21:28,700 So how do you look for opportunities? 593 00:21:28,730 --> 00:21:30,950 Are there filters that you use to decide 594 00:21:30,950 --> 00:21:32,810 what is a yes versus a no? 595 00:21:32,810 --> 00:21:34,400 And what does it look like to lean into new 596 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:35,180 opportunities? 597 00:21:35,210 --> 00:21:38,030 Allison Walsh: Yes. And I think that the more success that 598 00:21:38,030 --> 00:21:40,340 you gain, right, the more opportunities will 599 00:21:40,340 --> 00:21:42,530 come your way, which is why it's really 600 00:21:42,530 --> 00:21:43,880 important to have those filters. 601 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:46,070 Because if you just keep saying yes to 602 00:21:46,100 --> 00:21:47,630 everybody and everything, you're going to 603 00:21:47,630 --> 00:21:49,580 say no to yourself. And I've had to learn 604 00:21:49,580 --> 00:21:50,600 this over time, right? 605 00:21:50,630 --> 00:21:52,340 And I think that's where it's there's so 606 00:21:52,340 --> 00:21:54,320 many factors that I really encourage people 607 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:56,000 listening to take into consideration. 608 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:57,380 First of all, you have to know your values, 609 00:21:57,410 --> 00:21:59,360 right? Is it in alignment with your values? 610 00:21:59,390 --> 00:22:02,810 Is it really going to propel you forward? 611 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:04,520 Is it allowing you to tap into your 612 00:22:04,520 --> 00:22:06,620 strengths? I do a lot with strengths based 613 00:22:06,620 --> 00:22:09,110 coaching, and the work that we do helps to 614 00:22:09,140 --> 00:22:12,290 really open people's eyes to understand what 615 00:22:12,290 --> 00:22:13,820 is that neurological makeup. 616 00:22:13,850 --> 00:22:15,680 Right? Because when you can do work that is 617 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:17,840 intrinsically fulfilling, or say yes to 618 00:22:17,870 --> 00:22:20,060 opportunities that are in alignment with 619 00:22:20,060 --> 00:22:22,240 your strengths, you are going to be lit up 620 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:25,000 on fire and have so much fun in the process 621 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:26,440 where you're doing work that doesn't feel 622 00:22:26,470 --> 00:22:28,240 like work, right? And that's the goal. 623 00:22:28,240 --> 00:22:30,400 That is true fulfillment and engagement. 624 00:22:30,430 --> 00:22:33,670 And so I utilize that psych framework of 625 00:22:33,670 --> 00:22:35,410 really making sure that there's alignment 626 00:22:35,410 --> 00:22:38,260 there. And I've had to say no to way more 627 00:22:38,290 --> 00:22:40,660 things that I've said yes to, especially as 628 00:22:40,660 --> 00:22:43,840 I have gotten busier as my life has changed. 629 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:45,220 I'm a mom of three kids. 630 00:22:45,220 --> 00:22:47,290 I'm also a dance mom, which that's a whole 631 00:22:47,290 --> 00:22:50,170 other story. Uh, and then, you know, I've 632 00:22:50,170 --> 00:22:54,190 worked in high hypergrowth, high demand 633 00:22:54,220 --> 00:22:55,900 environments for a very long time. 634 00:22:55,900 --> 00:22:57,790 And now now that I'm on my own. 635 00:22:57,820 --> 00:22:59,860 Right, it would be easy to be like, oh, I've 636 00:22:59,860 --> 00:23:01,330 got more time. I'm going to say yes, yes, 637 00:23:01,330 --> 00:23:02,740 yes. It's like, no, no, no, I got to keep 638 00:23:02,740 --> 00:23:03,760 those blinders on. 639 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,220 And if it's not in alignment with what I'm 640 00:23:06,220 --> 00:23:08,290 working on for my own business now, then I 641 00:23:08,290 --> 00:23:10,510 have to say thank you so much for this 642 00:23:10,540 --> 00:23:13,150 opportunity. I'd like to just put this as a, 643 00:23:13,180 --> 00:23:15,100 you know, a rain check for, for now, but 644 00:23:15,100 --> 00:23:17,230 please circle back around in the future and 645 00:23:17,230 --> 00:23:19,330 but understanding values Understanding 646 00:23:19,330 --> 00:23:22,420 strengths and understanding priorities helps 647 00:23:22,420 --> 00:23:24,490 me to say yes and no a lot easier. 648 00:23:25,150 --> 00:23:27,460 Carol Cox: Allison. Do you find that with the women that 649 00:23:27,460 --> 00:23:30,310 you work with that and you're asking for a 650 00:23:30,310 --> 00:23:32,080 friend, that sometimes we get really 651 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:33,580 comfortable, like our business is going 652 00:23:33,610 --> 00:23:36,280 well, we're chugging along and maybe we're 653 00:23:36,280 --> 00:23:39,100 not on the lookout for new opportunities, 654 00:23:39,100 --> 00:23:41,230 but then perhaps we should be. 655 00:23:41,500 --> 00:23:43,840 Allison Walsh: Oh, no, this is great because I think there's 656 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:45,610 a lot here. There's a lot around mindset 657 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:48,580 here. And I always say complacency is where 658 00:23:48,580 --> 00:23:51,520 dreams go to die. So just because it's we're 659 00:23:51,520 --> 00:23:53,710 good at it and it's kind of on autopilot 660 00:23:53,740 --> 00:23:56,020 doesn't necessarily mean that we are fully 661 00:23:56,020 --> 00:23:57,370 maximizing our potential. 662 00:23:57,370 --> 00:23:58,870 And there's seasons for this, right? 663 00:23:58,870 --> 00:24:00,940 I do think that there are seasons where it's 664 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:03,160 good for us to have consistency and there's 665 00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,110 good. It's good for us to just know that the 666 00:24:05,110 --> 00:24:06,490 tried and true is going to get us to where 667 00:24:06,490 --> 00:24:08,560 we need to be, but there's also seasons of 668 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:11,920 growth and we have unbelievable 669 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:13,540 opportunities. And I love the quote from 670 00:24:13,540 --> 00:24:15,400 Oprah of, you know, the whole point of being 671 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:17,150 alive is to evolve into the complete person 672 00:24:17,150 --> 00:24:18,380 you were intended to be. 673 00:24:18,380 --> 00:24:21,530 And that, to me is like one of those anchor 674 00:24:21,530 --> 00:24:24,320 quotes where, you know, if I'm not growing 675 00:24:24,350 --> 00:24:26,570 and I'm not evolving, I know that that 676 00:24:26,570 --> 00:24:27,770 really matters to me. 677 00:24:27,770 --> 00:24:30,650 So going back to my values, going back to my 678 00:24:30,650 --> 00:24:33,200 strengths, right, like that plays into both 679 00:24:33,200 --> 00:24:35,930 of them. So I really I try to zoom out at 680 00:24:35,930 --> 00:24:38,390 least once a month, if not every single 681 00:24:38,390 --> 00:24:40,700 week, and say, where am I growing this week? 682 00:24:40,730 --> 00:24:42,680 Right? Where am I stretching myself? 683 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:44,420 And it doesn't necessarily mean, like I'm 684 00:24:44,420 --> 00:24:46,190 going to be successful at everything that I 685 00:24:46,190 --> 00:24:47,870 try. In fact, I'm going to learn and 686 00:24:47,870 --> 00:24:51,080 probably fail forward faster than I am going 687 00:24:51,110 --> 00:24:53,240 to actually do it the best way the first 688 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,640 time. But that's where those support systems 689 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:57,710 come in place, right? Perfect example. 690 00:24:57,710 --> 00:24:59,330 I'm now out on my own, right? 691 00:24:59,360 --> 00:25:02,750 I left my corporate job on July 31st and I 692 00:25:02,780 --> 00:25:04,130 am fully embracing. 693 00:25:04,130 --> 00:25:05,780 She believes she could and my consulting 694 00:25:05,780 --> 00:25:08,210 company, I've had that running alongside me 695 00:25:08,210 --> 00:25:10,340 for years, but this is the first time that 696 00:25:10,340 --> 00:25:14,900 I'm 100% all in, and I immediately had to 697 00:25:14,930 --> 00:25:16,780 seek out the support for myself. 698 00:25:16,810 --> 00:25:18,760 Right. I hired a fractional chief marketing 699 00:25:18,760 --> 00:25:21,010 officer to help me because I wanted to 700 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:23,680 launch a program, and it's a great program, 701 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,170 and I knew that I needed the support to do 702 00:25:26,170 --> 00:25:29,080 something that I hadn't done to that level 703 00:25:29,110 --> 00:25:30,370 before. Right. 704 00:25:30,370 --> 00:25:32,410 So it's stretching me. 705 00:25:32,410 --> 00:25:34,900 It's pushing me. But I also knew if I didn't 706 00:25:34,900 --> 00:25:37,360 put somebody in my corner that was going to 707 00:25:37,360 --> 00:25:38,920 get on the phone with me a couple times a 708 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:40,960 week and talk through these things, I would 709 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:43,150 easily be able to say, not right now, and 710 00:25:43,150 --> 00:25:44,800 just focus on what the easy stuff is. 711 00:25:44,800 --> 00:25:47,140 Focus on, you know, what the private clients 712 00:25:47,140 --> 00:25:48,190 focus on the speaking. 713 00:25:48,190 --> 00:25:50,770 Focus on the things that I know I can do. 714 00:25:50,770 --> 00:25:53,860 And I would have regretted it because I know 715 00:25:53,860 --> 00:25:55,630 that this program is going to change lives. 716 00:25:55,630 --> 00:25:57,520 And so it deserves the time and energy 717 00:25:57,550 --> 00:25:59,410 support and accountability to get it done. 718 00:25:59,410 --> 00:26:01,660 But it's going to force me to grow. 719 00:26:01,660 --> 00:26:04,660 And so I think that anybody listening put a 720 00:26:04,690 --> 00:26:06,100 put it on your calendar schedule. 721 00:26:06,100 --> 00:26:07,900 The reminder today is your growth day. 722 00:26:07,900 --> 00:26:10,150 What are you doing this month that's going 723 00:26:10,150 --> 00:26:11,770 to stretch you for next month? 724 00:26:11,770 --> 00:26:13,330 Or what are those things that you want to 725 00:26:13,380 --> 00:26:15,000 work on that are outside of your comfort 726 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,740 zone. And then what do you need to do? 727 00:26:16,770 --> 00:26:18,690 Who do you need to put in your corner in 728 00:26:18,690 --> 00:26:20,280 order to help you get across the finish 729 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:22,260 line? I will tell you that I've had clients 730 00:26:22,260 --> 00:26:25,260 that have been on my one on one roster for 731 00:26:25,260 --> 00:26:27,630 five, six, seven, eight years, like 732 00:26:27,660 --> 00:26:30,060 consistently, but it's because they know 733 00:26:30,060 --> 00:26:31,920 they're going to have to show up and tell me 734 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:33,450 the progress that they've made on their 735 00:26:33,450 --> 00:26:35,130 goals, right? We pick one goal at a time and 736 00:26:35,130 --> 00:26:36,810 we're working towards it, but it is that 737 00:26:36,810 --> 00:26:38,610 accountability piece, and it's that they 738 00:26:38,610 --> 00:26:40,350 also know that I'm going to run alongside 739 00:26:40,350 --> 00:26:43,050 them and help them get across the finish 740 00:26:43,050 --> 00:26:44,820 line. Right. I'm not going to let fear stop 741 00:26:44,820 --> 00:26:46,470 them. I'm not going to let imposter syndrome 742 00:26:46,470 --> 00:26:48,570 stop them. Those mindset blocks aren't going 743 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,400 to get in their way, and we're going to make 744 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:51,810 great things happen together. 745 00:26:52,170 --> 00:26:53,310 Carol Cox: Oh, yes. Allison. 746 00:26:53,340 --> 00:26:55,350 Accountability. Isn't that such a game 747 00:26:55,380 --> 00:26:57,360 changer? This is why I say things here on my 748 00:26:57,360 --> 00:26:59,550 podcast to the whole public, to everyone 749 00:26:59,550 --> 00:27:01,440 listening, because I want I say them out 750 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:03,450 loud because I want to be held accountable, 751 00:27:03,450 --> 00:27:05,190 even though no listeners are ever like. 752 00:27:05,190 --> 00:27:06,570 So Carol, where's your book? 753 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:08,280 Right. But I say it out loud because it 754 00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:10,410 reminds me, I have said this out loud in 755 00:27:10,410 --> 00:27:11,520 public. Yes. 756 00:27:11,550 --> 00:27:13,380 Allison Walsh: And you're working on it, which I think is 757 00:27:13,410 --> 00:27:14,520 awesome, right? 758 00:27:14,700 --> 00:27:16,770 Yes. Even with my book, I hired a book 759 00:27:16,770 --> 00:27:18,960 coach, too. I needed somebody that was going 760 00:27:18,990 --> 00:27:21,270 to help me get out of my own head, because 761 00:27:21,270 --> 00:27:23,100 while I was in the process, even just from 762 00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:25,380 the moment I signed the book deal to having 763 00:27:25,380 --> 00:27:27,150 to start to write it, I think I came up with 764 00:27:27,180 --> 00:27:28,590 like seven other books that I wanted to 765 00:27:28,620 --> 00:27:30,090 write in the process. Right. 766 00:27:30,120 --> 00:27:32,220 I'm like, put those on the virtual shelf. 767 00:27:32,250 --> 00:27:34,620 Like stay focused, but like, it's that coach 768 00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:36,120 in your corner that really does help. 769 00:27:36,150 --> 00:27:38,790 Just clarity of thought and keep you moving 770 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,100 so that those ideas don't die inside. 771 00:27:41,130 --> 00:27:42,930 Like that's there's too much in there that 772 00:27:42,930 --> 00:27:44,010 needs to come out. 773 00:27:44,340 --> 00:27:45,900 Carol Cox: Oh, yes. Yeah, yeah. 774 00:27:45,930 --> 00:27:48,570 Book coaches in business coaches, business 775 00:27:48,570 --> 00:27:50,250 coaches I mean speaking coaches, whoever it 776 00:27:50,250 --> 00:27:51,780 is that you need in your corner is 777 00:27:51,780 --> 00:27:54,000 definitely well worth it because I can't 778 00:27:54,030 --> 00:27:56,460 tell you how clean my house gets when I'm 779 00:27:56,460 --> 00:27:58,800 supposed to have my butt in my chair working 780 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:00,120 on my book. Right. 781 00:28:01,050 --> 00:28:02,070 Allison Walsh: It's so true. 782 00:28:02,070 --> 00:28:03,450 I literally, like, cleaned out my daughter's 783 00:28:03,450 --> 00:28:05,880 closet the other day instead of sitting down 784 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:08,160 and writing an outline for a program now, 785 00:28:08,610 --> 00:28:10,990 like, I gotta get my CMO on the phone right 786 00:28:10,990 --> 00:28:12,280 now? Yes. 787 00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:15,280 Carol Cox: All right. Allison, so I would love to know 788 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:17,590 what you have as far as in the future. 789 00:28:17,590 --> 00:28:19,450 Before we hit record, we chatted a little 790 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:22,960 bit about perhaps a Ted talk in your future, 791 00:28:22,960 --> 00:28:24,550 because I was surprised that you haven't 792 00:28:24,550 --> 00:28:26,920 done one yet, because it seems like you've 793 00:28:26,950 --> 00:28:28,000 done so much speaking. 794 00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:29,800 You have this platform, you have this 795 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:33,070 mission. So tell me about Ted talk. 796 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:35,530 Would it be around the work that you've been 797 00:28:35,530 --> 00:28:36,970 doing around eating disorders, or are you 798 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:38,080 thinking something different? 799 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:38,650 I'm thinking. 800 00:28:38,650 --> 00:28:40,000 Allison Walsh: Something different. You know, I think I've 801 00:28:40,030 --> 00:28:41,560 gone back and forth on, like, what's my one 802 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:42,820 idea, right? 803 00:28:42,850 --> 00:28:46,390 Um, and I've done a lot of work and a lot of 804 00:28:46,390 --> 00:28:49,180 speaking around why Smart goals don't work 805 00:28:49,180 --> 00:28:51,670 and some different frameworks that I've 806 00:28:51,670 --> 00:28:53,260 worked with clients over the years to 807 00:28:53,290 --> 00:28:54,940 actually make things happen. 808 00:28:54,970 --> 00:28:56,380 And so excited about that. 809 00:28:56,380 --> 00:28:58,930 I'm also, you know, we're launching a 810 00:28:58,930 --> 00:29:01,600 program in the fall specifically focused on 811 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:02,650 high achieving moms. 812 00:29:02,650 --> 00:29:06,760 And, you know, that community and I resonate 813 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:07,960 with this so much. 814 00:29:08,050 --> 00:29:11,030 You know. I think a big reason why I left my 815 00:29:11,030 --> 00:29:13,010 corporate career. I mean, I've been involved 816 00:29:13,010 --> 00:29:15,110 with beautiful companies, mission driven 817 00:29:15,110 --> 00:29:16,700 organizations, been sitting in very 818 00:29:16,700 --> 00:29:18,770 influential seats, things that I never 819 00:29:18,770 --> 00:29:19,970 thought I would walk away from. 820 00:29:19,970 --> 00:29:22,280 But we had a situation with my daughter this 821 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,370 year where she got very ill, and it was 822 00:29:25,370 --> 00:29:28,880 really important for me to reprioritize my 823 00:29:28,880 --> 00:29:33,260 life and really make sure that as I run 824 00:29:33,260 --> 00:29:35,690 alongside her and my other two kids over the 825 00:29:35,690 --> 00:29:37,940 balance of their lives, that that I have the 826 00:29:37,940 --> 00:29:39,590 availability in the space, right. 827 00:29:39,620 --> 00:29:43,700 And so I want to make sure that I can show 828 00:29:43,700 --> 00:29:46,640 other moms how they can do that too, right? 829 00:29:46,670 --> 00:29:49,970 How they can create the life, uh, still be 830 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:52,070 able to attain the goals, still be able to 831 00:29:52,100 --> 00:29:53,870 shine brightly, still be able to do the 832 00:29:53,870 --> 00:29:56,720 things and to be fully present. 833 00:29:56,750 --> 00:29:59,060 Um, and I think there's a lot of pressure on, 834 00:29:59,060 --> 00:30:01,310 uh, on women in general, and especially 835 00:30:01,310 --> 00:30:03,710 those of us that, you know, are taking care 836 00:30:03,710 --> 00:30:05,000 of the little ones right now to. 837 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:07,780 And what does that look like as we move 838 00:30:07,810 --> 00:30:09,430 through different seasons of our lives? 839 00:30:09,430 --> 00:30:11,290 So really excited about that. 840 00:30:11,290 --> 00:30:13,210 I also launched she Believes She Could 841 00:30:13,210 --> 00:30:15,070 University a few months ago. 842 00:30:15,100 --> 00:30:17,860 The book has been very well received by 843 00:30:17,860 --> 00:30:19,720 collegiate audiences, probably because it 844 00:30:19,720 --> 00:30:21,250 starts with me telling my story when I was 845 00:30:21,250 --> 00:30:23,560 18 years old, and it walks them through how 846 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:24,970 that then turned into my career. 847 00:30:24,970 --> 00:30:27,790 So I've been doing a lot of workshops for 848 00:30:27,790 --> 00:30:31,300 different Greek organizations and, you know, 849 00:30:31,330 --> 00:30:32,830 universities across the country. 850 00:30:32,830 --> 00:30:34,150 So that's a lot of fun. 851 00:30:34,270 --> 00:30:36,310 Um, and so just really leaning in to being 852 00:30:36,310 --> 00:30:40,060 able to create new programs and new offers, 853 00:30:40,090 --> 00:30:41,710 in addition to all the things that I already 854 00:30:41,710 --> 00:30:42,610 love to do. 855 00:30:42,910 --> 00:30:45,160 Carol Cox: Oh, I love it, Allison. So along with your 856 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,780 podcast, she believed she could. 857 00:30:46,810 --> 00:30:48,910 So definitely, listeners, go and check that 858 00:30:48,910 --> 00:30:51,220 out and click follow or in your favorite 859 00:30:51,220 --> 00:30:52,420 podcast app. 860 00:30:52,450 --> 00:30:55,600 Allison, how else can listeners find you? 861 00:30:55,630 --> 00:30:57,160 Allison Walsh: Absolutely. Thank you for that. 862 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,830 Um, Allison Walsh Consulting.com has all of 863 00:30:59,830 --> 00:31:01,720 the information about my business and 864 00:31:01,720 --> 00:31:03,820 branding consulting services. 865 00:31:03,820 --> 00:31:05,960 She believes she could.co is where 866 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:07,760 everything she believes she could live. 867 00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:10,910 I'm very active on Instagram at Alison Walsh 868 00:31:10,910 --> 00:31:12,410 but be prepared. I'm going to tell you you 869 00:31:12,410 --> 00:31:14,330 are a queen and can accomplish your dreams 870 00:31:14,330 --> 00:31:15,920 every single day. So if you love that type 871 00:31:15,920 --> 00:31:17,330 of content, I'm your girl. 872 00:31:17,330 --> 00:31:19,460 And then of course on LinkedIn, a little bit 873 00:31:19,460 --> 00:31:21,200 more professional content over there. 874 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,510 But you can find me there pretty frequently. 875 00:31:23,780 --> 00:31:25,520 Carol Cox: I don't know, I think LinkedIn could 876 00:31:25,520 --> 00:31:27,710 appreciate some, uh, you're a queen. 877 00:31:27,710 --> 00:31:29,330 I believe you can content. 878 00:31:29,330 --> 00:31:29,660 So. 879 00:31:30,530 --> 00:31:33,260 Allison Walsh: All right, post tomorrow is coming at you hot 880 00:31:33,290 --> 00:31:35,660 Carol with some crown references and being a 881 00:31:35,660 --> 00:31:36,560 queen. So. 882 00:31:36,860 --> 00:31:38,750 Carol Cox: You know, we got to shake up the algorithms a 883 00:31:38,750 --> 00:31:40,040 little bit. I love that. 884 00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:41,930 Allison Walsh: I love that concept. And I'm totally going to 885 00:31:41,930 --> 00:31:44,210 tag you in my caption, so. 886 00:31:45,170 --> 00:31:47,360 Carol Cox: Oh, Allison, thank you so much for coming on 887 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:48,680 the Speaking Your Brand podcast. 888 00:31:48,680 --> 00:31:50,480 For those of you listening, make sure to 889 00:31:50,510 --> 00:31:52,550 check out Allison's websites and social 890 00:31:52,550 --> 00:31:54,380 media links are in the show notes. 891 00:31:54,380 --> 00:31:56,840 And until next time, thanks for listening.