Meet:Alana McAllister!

Introduce yourself and profession to our readers: Hello Readers! My name is Alana McAllister. I am the author of Project Unsophisticated, I am the Motivator of your secret potential and the creator and owner of Special Victories. I’ve been in business for 2 years but recently just expanded into Life Coaching. My mission is to help those who need a little push. Life is crazy but we don’t need to make ourself crazier. I want to make life smooth like a nice cup of coffee with the right amount cream and sugar. #ProjectUnsophisticed #EmpowermentOfTheSoul

What inspired you to pursue this area of interest? My inspiration came from my Girl Scout Troop. Teaching young girls that their value is worth more than they know. These girls are growing up depressed, confused and not understanding who they really are. I realized that as adults, we don’t value our worth and most haven’t found their true self either. So how can we teach the younger generation how to be strong when we are confused ourselves? I used to get asked, how I was able to be so confident walking into a room without showing fear? 

How I was able to smile when things were going wrong? People would tell me I didn’t understand them because I didn’t have problems in my life. Well the truth is, I was once sad, broken, inferior of others. I had self doubt and I felt I was never good enough. I was them and they didn’t even know it. I had to share my story with the world to let them know, that they too can make it in a world full of challenges. My story didn’t break me. My story transformed me into who I am. My story is the reason I’m able to see the good vs the bad. My story is the reason I can hold my head high and be proud of where I am now.

What advice would you share with those interested in a similar pursuit? My advice is to find self-love. We've abandoned our feelings so much that we don’t know what Love really is. Going on the journey is where you have to learn to forgive yourself and forgive others who have hurt you. Once you can let go of your past failures, hurts and disappointments you can focus on where your future will take you. 

Where is your passion? What is your true purpose? When you find your potential, your options are limitless. You smile more. Your friendships change. Your outlook on life becomes more of how you look at sunrises and sunsets vs the pain behind your eyes. The joy you feel inside you is your new rebirth into this world. No more of the ‘I cant’s’ but more of the ‘I Wills’ to take the leap of faith and become who you were destined to be.

Discuss a professional challenge and how you overcame it: My personal and professional challenge was letting my voice be heard. I had great ideas but I was afraid to speak up. I was shy. I didn’t want to feel the rejection of others. I would just go with what other said and did and was complacent. My nerves would get the best of me when I wanted to speak my mind. This all stemmed back to my younger years being in a relationship where I was not allowed to speak. That speaking up meant I was questioning authority and not following orders. 

This stuck with me. But it took me taking a leadership class to see that my voice has value. That people really do want my opinion. Even if it something that people didn’t agree on, I was heard. It felt amazing that people close to me wanted to hear what I had to say. Some were glad I spoke up so they could see a different viewpoint. It made them open up their mind and really reflect. Our voices have power. Our words can make or break a situation. We have to stand within our power and let our voices be heard. People need to see our contributions, people need to see the passion we have, people need to hear your story. So speak up, speak loudly and clearly so those in the background can hear you. Those who you feel aren’t watching you are the one’s who watch you the closest. So speak for them to follow you even more.

What is next for your brand/business in 2017-18? My next move is to become a motivational speaker. I have stories that need to be heard. There is someone out there that needs a push in the right direction. Someone who feels they are stuck in life and just needs that one story as their motivation to do better and be better. My goal is to get genuine smiles out of those who feel lost. I want to pick you up, hold your hand and walk the path with you. You are not alone and you need to know that. 

I wrote my book Project Unsophisticated for those who are ready to step foot in the face of change. This book is not made for everyone. We are all not made for everyone. We all have that people pleasing mentality. But in reality we have to see who is right for us and who is not. And that’s with any and all relationships. I’m building a foundation for you to step on. I want you to feel secure with me as I take you on a ride. Project Unsophisticated has a hidden meaning. It’s not what you think it means. I used this term because we are all projects in our own right. Forever evolving beings, a Project. 

Unsophisticated meaning unadulterated (not mixed or diluted with any different or extra elements; complete and absolute.) Pure and genuine. This is what we aspire to be. A genuine person with a pure heart and is strong for ourselves and those around us. So, are you ready to face your past to achieve a higher perspective on life? My book shares with you how I rose from domestic violence and depression, how I dealt with my marriages, yes.. ya girls been married a few times. And how I overcame insecurities I put in my own head. I got out of my own way, jumped on a bus to the first place that has an open seat and left my fears behind me. Are you ready? That’s all you need to ask yourself. The first step to change is a walk in the right direction without looking back and not regretting what got you there.

How can readers connect with you online and through social media?
My blog/personal website: www.SpecialVictories.com
Facebook: @CoachLanaMac (personal development) and @SpecialVictories
Instagram: @SpecialVictories
Twitter: @Alana_SpclVctry
“Project Unsophisticated” Amazon ​