Life & Work with Allen Levi Simmons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allen Levi Simmons.

Hi Allen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, I am Allen Levi Simmons a husband, Motivational Speaker, Engineer, Author, and United States Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. I grew up in Summerville, SC with roots in Charleston, SC. During my deployment in Afghanistan, I survived an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) blast and sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury during a fire-fight with the Taliban. I was Honorably Separated from the Marines completing 4 years of active-duty service and a few months in the Reserves. After the end of my service in the Marines in 2011, I battled with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), addictions, and suicide.

It was my faith in God, community, and desire to live a purposeful life that I decided to fight trauma with poetry. My battle with the effects of traumata inspired me to write my first book, a collection of poems titled “Can I Speak?” I formed a non-profit, Live N Love INC, and began my journey as a speaker in hopes of sharing my story and inspiring others who desire inspiration. My journey wasn’t a simple process and I wasn’t always certain about my purpose; especially after believing that my life was without meaning and purpose. Anxiety and depression followed me daily and I couldn’t fight them any longer. I prepared my final night and prepared my pistol and gathered my pills. Instead of choosing death that night, I chose to live.

From suicidal thoughts to dropping out of college to graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from UNC Charlotte in 2020. I now have a role with one of the leading technology companies in the world, IBM! I am also the Host and Creator of Brunch with Ties & Heels as well as The Purpose Pod podcast. I created The Purpose Pod podcast in March of 2020 and have to this day, interviewed over 70 professionals who are living with a purpose.

I live by the motto “Never stop, never quit. Repeat!”

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey appears to have been smooth because of my smile or the way that I carry myself. I recently graduated college at 32 and I’ve spent the majority of the last 10 years battling PTSD.

Smooth road huh?

Well…

Imagine having to search your home with a pistol every time you came home… Imagine looking behind the shower curtain or peaking down the hallway into your bathroom… Imagine looking under your bed as you walk into your room… Imagine “clearing” your closet, because “something” is telling you that danger is near.

But what are you looking for?

Who is coming after you?

These are questions I wrestled with each day, over and over again I was losing my mind and I had no idea WHY.

I knew what happened to me overseas but I didn’t know why it was bothering me. I was a young 22-year-old marine who was trained for situations like explosions, bullets grazing the earth, and fear dancing all around me. We were trained to “Do or Die” but no one ever told us how to live after surviving a war.

Most military members keep their pain silent while others are overwhelmed with the anxiety and depression which causes them to end their own lives…

I know this oh too well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Motivational Speaker who continues to reach for those who have been forgotten. I speak to inspire those who feel as though they are without purpose or those looking to awaken their purpose after trauma.

I’ve watched the greatest Speakers and I’ve listened to their words. They are powerful, compassionate, and valuable but neither of them has my story. My story of coming from trauma to purpose is dressed in poetry and words of empowerment. I use my ability to listen, love, and lead which has been the reason why more than 100 professionals have attended my brunch events.

As a speaker, I have invested my time into reaching the youth, college students, teachers, and parents.

My goal is to continue to reach people from different walks of life and use every aspect of my being to get them ahead of where they currently are. I’m a boy who grew up in a blended family, I’m a man who hasn’t seen his biological mother in 20 years, I am a man who was addicted to porn, marijuana, and alcohol. I was suicidal and depressed, broke and without a home. I was a college dropout and a soul without a purpose. It is because of who I used to be that I am able to reach a vast amount of diverse people throughout the world.

I’m an electrician by trade in the Marines and I have held several other job titles during my service. For work, I am a Software Support Professional with IBM and I am continuing to grow in my role. My job affords me the opportunity to work in my calling as a Motivational Speaker, Purpose Coach, Author, Podcast Host, and Entrepreneur.

I am proud of myself for not pulling the trigger during my moments of weakness and depression. I am proud of myself for marrying an amazing woman who supports me and understands me. I am proud of myself for inspiring myself every day.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT. REPEAT!

Persistence wins every time because failure is a part of the journey.

Pricing:

• “Can I Speak?” book: $14.99

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.allenlevisimmons.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allenlevisimmons/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allenlevisimmons
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoVZ54VL7UkABNYQ4c-M4Xw/videos
• Other: https://shoppersist.com/

Image Credits
@lenkinparkmhw, @fodee, @adamjfoutz, and @mr_sleep_fah_me