Today we’d like to introduce you to Dianne Allen.
Hi Dianne, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all really started in high school when I needed someone to talk to, to listen to me when my family was arguing and I was afraid for my safety. My mother listened to all the neighborhood kids but always missed listening to me I felt alone and misunderstood nearly all the time, by my family and friends. I was seen as an adult long before I was old enough to understand.
Even when I called the crisis hotline one evening when my parents were violently fighting. I was put on hold, and finally, when the adult came to the phone, they uttered the words, “I can’t help you.” and then hung up.
I vowed at that moment that other teenagers would have someone to hear them, really listen to them and their need for safety and to be heard. Over the years, my mission has been to champion those people who are outliers and are not understood, misdiagnosed, treated for coping skills versus causes, or even worse, stifled and ridiculed into playing small.
While working with thousands of executive leaders, their teams, and their families, nothing motivates me more than seeing someone’s genius gifts emerge and thrive after being buried under addictive patterns, or hidden, due to unsupportive work and cultural norms.
I feel the most proud knowing these outliers are heard, understood and even though the world was not built for them, WE CAN CHANGE IT.
Currently, I have over 40 years of professional experience developing unique programs and training curriculum for executives, their company, team and even family. She is frequently a mental wellness specialist for media spots and podcasts, including being featured on CNN on the Anderson Cooper show as the creator of the first substance abuse treatment center for executives, which became the model for executive recovery throughout Florida. She is highly sought after to confidentially advise high producing creatives from grammy award winning artists to university researchers. And she is on the Advisory board for the Department of Psychology at UF.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a bump yet rewarding road for my life and my work. Some struggles include not being heard or taken seriously, particularly when I was younger. Being an outlier in my family has made most relationships challenging as I am not heard or understood, even when I have verbalized and acted on the desire and need for family closeness.
Work has been a struggle at times early in my career due to not being understood by my colleagues and eventually those reporting to me. My intuitive and intensely sensitive nature, though great gifts, have been misinterpreted and misunderstood most of my career. I have been chastised, made fun of and ignored often. In becoming a business owner, I have more agency and have less obstacles in the business except with others who seem to want to assign motive to me and my work without really comprehending the nature of my deeply profound and personal work.
Sometimes is it challenging to feel heard in the popular culture that is virtual. Nuance seems to be diluted or even lost often which can pose as an obstacle.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I partner with executives and visionary leaders to turn big ideas into impactful realities. My mission is simple yet profound: to awaken the potential within you, empower your purpose, and help you lead with authenticity and clarity. I specialize in working with creatives, outliers and neurodivergent founders and leaders.
With decades of experience in leadership mentoring, program management, and personal development, I have dedicated my career to guiding high-performing individuals to discover their unique vision. Through bespoke mentorship, transformational resources, and a proven tailored approach, I can help you harness your leadership strengths to create a legacy that inspires and endures.
My intuition and intense sensitivity sets me apart as it aligns with my education and life experience. My gift is a unique combination of life experience, education and an intuitive connection that is a game changer.
I am most proud of my relational work with gifted and creative leaders in meaningful individual mentoring. I have crated the space and programs that serve this group effectively. The Someone Gets Me podcast is another offering that I am proud of as it has been published weekly for over 430 episodes. The Different by Design retreats bring gifted and neurodivergent people together for powerful community and connection. My published books with the last one being Care for the Neurodivergent Soul and a Companion Workbook have been a work of love for gifted outliers.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was raised in Sarasota, FL with my younger brother by my parents. We raced sailboats often and enjoyed this family sport. My mother was a multi-talented woman from art to accounting to music, she brought culture and depth to our home. My father was a banker and he brought all his talents to our home as well. My parents were great dancers and people would stop to watch them when they danced together. My brother and I benefited greatly from their diversity and talents.
I was introverted growing up and struggled with social interactions. I stayed to myself unless around sailors or school friends. I was always serious which earned me the label of being a “miniature adults” from an early age. Sailing and racing sailboats, swimming and other water sports were my main interests. I also loved learning new concepts and ideas.
Our family raced sailboats in Florida which became my sport of choice into adulthood. For a long time, there were no women racing sailboats yet I excelled. Growing up as a visionary was not without its challenges. At 15, my frustration with not feeling fully heard or understood reached a peak.
I was so tired of feeling stuck, emotionally exhausted, and alone that I threw myself into research. I wanted to understand why I felt the way I did and wanted to prevent anyone from ever feeling like this again.
My journey of learning led me to complete degrees in Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling. I worked in the criminal justice system, mental health systems, designed recovery programs and spoke at several educational and inspirational venues. I completed studies in Nutrition and Holistic Health, and spent several years studying at the Unity Progressive Theological Seminary exploring how spirituality fits into the bigger picture.
The people I met and helped along the way began to ask where my book was, so I wrote one… and then six more! Because Visionaries can’t help but go all in, I founded the Visions Applied – a media company that publishes my books and hosts my podcasts. For more on my corporate success, check out VisionsApplied.com
Through my wild and wonderful life, I discovered my personal vision and mission: to educate and inspire you to touch your inner fire and allow that beauty to come forth into the world. I believe that we all have a message that is uplifting somewhere deep inside. I design all my services and offerings to help you awaken and live from your inner beauty, fire and truth.
Pricing:
- $1500.00 – Monthly retainer for Individual Mentoring Services, each meeting is 75 minutes long
- $4,500.00 – 90 Day Individual Mentoring package includes emails, text and lightning calls. Each meeting is 75 minutes long.
- $9,000.00 for 6 Months Individual Mentoring includes email, texts, lightning calls. Each meeting is 90 minutes long.
- $4,000/day for full day custom corporate or team retreats
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.visionsapplied.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianne_a_allen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianneaallenma
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianneallen/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOu4J24z4iz3Dskj8RIg5jQ?
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-471351566
- Other: www.msdianneallen.com and www.retreatwithdianne.com
