HOW THE THE LIONESS GOT HER MAIN (not a typo)
Allison is a communication coach and trainer, bestselling author, and veteran public speaker. The unique approach that Allison uses to help her clients understand and dissolve their communication blocks is a direct result of her understanding of how humans and animals communicate. She combines insights from the animal kingdom with her own knowledge, skills, and intuition, helping people bridge the gaps created by communication misses that are often a result of our animal instincts.
She has worked with lions and lionesses on a daily basis, as well as the observing them in the wild. Lions live in family groups called prides where each member of the group has a role and they live in balance. They are her inspiration for bringing balance to the lives of others.
She believes that clear communication creates more joyful, connected relationships. Her goal is for you to learn to recognize common communication pitfalls and misperceptions more easily, and apply the tools she shares with you to your daily life for increased ease in any conversation.
Allison shares insights and observations into what causes conversation to get lost in translation, and then helps resolve those repetitive conversations that inevitably turn into disagreements and fractured relationships. She provides the necessary clarity to navigate the emotional blindness that most people develop in highly-charged situations.
Want to learn more about the journey? Keep reading.
The adventure began when I was six and living in Belgium: the television did not speak English, and everyone spoke more than one language. I was fascinated by the discovery that there are many ways to communicate.
Like most children, I was also enchanted with animals. I wanted my first job to be with an animal park, but the park near my home moved miles away one year before I became eligible to work. Super-duper life disappointment.
Time to go to college. In my sophomore year I revitalized cheerleading, an activity that disappeared due to lack of funding. The uniforms were gathering dust – all we had to do was put them on and start yelling. I recruited a co-captain, built a budget, and began fundraising. I learned about cheerleading and taught others how to do it. I also learned a lot about leadership and coaching.
Time to declare a major. Uh, oh. I was thinking English (mom’s major) but found linguistics more interesting. No linguistics major at my college, so I designed my own in social-psycho linguistics. Of course I did — no straight paths for me. It was the perfect combination of sociology, psychology, and language.
Still, the animals called. In my senior year I worked on my college’s research boat. I learned about marine animals and shared this knowledge with others while outside on the ocean. So what if my degree suggested otherwise, I was going to work with animals after all.
Are you with me so far? The threads are communication, animals, and coaching.
I found the Exotic Animal Training and Management program at Moorpark College. I made it past the competitive application process to get degree number two, an associate of science degree.
Time to get a job. First, Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, then the Santa Barbara Zoo in California. I loved being a zookeeper, but something was missing.
Isn’t this where everyone’s life becomes less idyllic? The work is not what you thought it would be. Tighten your seat belt because the story gets even twisty-er.
I visit Moorpark College and a former instructor of mine mentions a graduate assistant position in elephant reproduction research. I apply, get in, get a stipend to live on, and get a scholarship for coursework. It is a free ride to a master’s degree (who wouldn’t do that?) in natural and applied science with an emphasis in animal reproduction. I am one month into this program when the professor asks if I want to work for a traveling circus for a semester.
Time to run away and join a circus. No shhhhh – !
Actually, there was a lot of poop, but that was fine by me. For five months, I was a veterinary assistant, living on a train with animals and circus performers. Now I have sawdust in my veins.
What about the free degree?
After the circus, I doubled back to complete my master’s course work and earn my third degree. Sawdust lingered in my bloodstream, so I returned to the circus for a second one-year tour as an animal spokesperson, veterinary assistant, and public relations coordinator. But a total of seventeen months on the road was enough.
Job change. Again.
I went back to the zoo world only to discover exactly what I discovered before: I loved being a zookeeper, but something was (still) missing.
After all this back and forth, it was high time for an epiphany.
The first one happened while on safari in Tanzania.
There were three threads – communication, animals, and coaching – and I had dropped two. I would never be completely satisfied working solely with animals.
How could I pick up communication and coaching? Domestic animal veterinary practice was a logical choice.
I worked as a receptionist, a pharmacy tech, a vet assistant, a surgical discharge nurse, a front office manager, and a co-practice manager. It was rewarding to work with pets and people, but you guessed it, I was not fulfilled.
Epiphany number two finally did the trick.
I was driving a car on a seven-hour road trip. My fellow passengers were a mother and son caught in a communication conflict. I spent the entire trip helping them clarify their issues and work through them. Was I exhausted? Not a bit. I stepped out of that car ready for round two.
At last, I had found my main. Main passion and joy. Communication coaching.
