Be Inspired

Life has taught me a few things: face your fears, learn from your past, embrace change, Live OUTLOUD and eliminate any noise and nonsense that comes your way. Growing up in Louisiana exposed me to a totally different mantra than the above. There were distractions everywhere. The noise was deafening and we never spoke about change! For as long as I could remember the plan would be that I’d live AND die in Louisiana. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina made sure that my time there would expire sooner than I could prepare for. While it wasn’t a willing embrace, it taught me to cherish life and to never take anything for granted. I look back at that moment not to reflect on all the things that I lost but everything that I have gained. Living in this safe space doesn’t allow any room for nonsense, negativity or anything that does not add value to my life. It’s really very simple! If I can overcome a CATEGORY 5 hurricane than surely any nonsense that comes my way won’t stand a chance!

I’m a mom of three boys and a business owner. (www.alisonhallarchitect.com). I was laid off 10 years ago when I had a 6 month old and wanted to only work part time. Instead of looking for a new job that would also not support my family, I decided to start my own business! Now I work with other moms and wives (and their partners) to design functional and beautiful homes for them and their families!

I’m also working on putting myself first (sometimes) and have lost 30 pounds since Jan! Not looking to become a supermodel, just trying to be more active so that I can keep up with my boys (10, 8 & 3 year olds).

In June, I'll be a 4 year breast cancer survivor. Throughout my journey, I've continued work in our community; becoming a substitute teacher during Covid, working our local election as a Poll Manager and serving as President for our Parent Teacher Organization. During this time I also became a USO Ambassador and enjoy sharing my perspective as an Air Force Veteran with the Ft. Jackson recruits as they begin their military careers.

I've worked around the physical and emotional limitations that come with survivorship, carefully balancing motherhood and marriage- and I do this mostly in activewear! I love the saying, "One day, or day one. You decide" I make that choice daily to live fuller and love harder. No grass is growing under my feet!

I've had to overcome many obstacles and barriers in life since a very young age particularly around my race. I'm proud to share that my mom gave up her career to give me a better life in the US. We migrated when I was just a year old and ever since my role as a daughter is to exhibit strength and tenacity to whatever comes my way not only for myself but for my mom as well. During Covid I had one of the toughest challenges I think I've ever dealt with: I lost my father just three days after giving birth to my daughter. I was unable to fly down to be there and I dealt with quite a bit of post-partum depression. I will say my biggest challenge was talking about being depressed- I'm "super woman"....how can I struggle? But I did and I'm blessed that somehow I came out on top. My dad always told me my strength would carry me when I needed it most and I'm thankful I found strength in my kids and being a mother to them. I hope that if I'm asked by them one day about overcoming a challenge I can share my daughters birth story and how not only did I gain a beautiful daughter but I also dealt with grief and that they were my gasoline to keep going...I'll add that I also decided to change careers two months after giving birth to her (that's a story for another time...but pumping while interviewing should get you a job anywhere). My mom taught me that I must drive the change I want to see and that's exactly what I hope I do everyday and will continue to do until the day I part.

The biggest struggle I've had to overcome in my life is being a single mom of two, beginning at the young age of 21. I hadn't finished with college or even begun really knowing who I was and what I wanted to be. My life quickly changed after having my daughter. I wasn't ready to be a mom. I ended up suffering years of deep depression and anxiety. Working multiple jobs and depending on the support of my family just to make ends meet. Things began to get better and then I had my youngest daughter Danica. My depression came back in full force, as I felt I wasn't being the best mother I could be. My daughters had to witness physical/mental/emotional abuse I was going through in a relationship. I eventually built up the courage to leave that relationship. I am now able to look past all the nonsense that was thrown at me and pursue the life that I want to live, not just for myself but for my daughters.