Revised Interview!

An Interview with Allison Dunlap, my inspiration!

Me: What is the most important message or belief that you hope I will take with me and remember throughout my entire life?”

Allison: The most important message that I hope you take with you through life is to always try your hardest and never let anyone get in the way of your dreams.  There are going to be many times where you feel like you want to give up and feel like you aren’t good enough, but keep pushing forward and never turn in the other direction.  Love yourself, be confident and learn to dig deep when times are hard. 

Me: How have you followed this advice in your life?  What difference has this belief and/or message made in your life?

Allison: As stated above there have been many times where people have told me that I wasn’t good enough, people that have wanted to see me quit, or even make fun of my attempts.  One thing I never did was give up.  Even though I really wanted to quit or give into their attempts I would not allow myself to not try.  Every circumstance in which this has happened, I have achieved and even come out on top.

Me: Can you remember a certain experience where you followed this message?

Allison: Yes.  I was about 19 years old when I was asked to step into a promoted position in a company to fill in for someone who couldn’t be there.  While stepping into this position I was to manage several people who were older than I was.  When they found out I was stepping into the head position the older instructors became disgruntled and upset with me.  They talked about me behind my back and rolled their eyes when I gave instruction.  The first night I came home and cried and then realized that my superior would not have put me into this position if he didn’t trust that I could do the job, so I dried my tears and went in the next day with confidence.   I had a long talk with my staff and lead them better than they ever have been lead.  Once it was all said and done I ended up keeping my head position and kept it until I left the company.

Me: Has there ever been a time where you have seen me follow this message?

Allison: Yes.  A year ago I was the most proud of you when you threw your hardest passes at competition.  You weren’t just out to win you were throwing them because you wanted to do the best you could do.  Even though others encouraged you to throw easier passes to try and win, you went for your personal best.  You ended up getting the best placement you ever received.  I was so proud of you and happy in that moment because you were rewarded for giving it your best.

Me: How will this message help me throughout life?

Allison: This message is so important because it will shape the outcome of so many decisions in your life.  In college there will times where you feel like you can’t give anymore and you want to give up but the ability to keep pushing forward will get you through.