"We Are Not Broken" Allison Brown OBX Local And Life Coach Shares How To Handle Adversity And Thrive | #40

Some conversations stay with you, and this one will. Allison Brown has a calm, grounded way of talking about things most of us struggle to face including loss, change, and learning to trust ourselves again. She’s a life coach, mentor, and spiritual guide, as well as a wife, mom of three, and active member of the Outer Banks community. With a background in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and advanced training in Jungian life coaching, she combines psychology, spirituality, and neuroscience to help people live into wholeness after hardship.

After the sudden passing of her mother, Allison began asking the bigger questions: Who am I? What really matters? How do you keep going when life falls apart? Those questions led her to a new chapter focused on helping others heal through self-awareness and compassion. She shares the practices that helped her like journaling, long beach walks, and learning that “you’re not broken, you’re just human.”

Together we talk about what it means to live with awareness, to lead with compassion, and to keep showing up as yourself no matter what’s happened before. It’s one of those conversations that reminds you how strong people can be, and how healing often starts right where you are.

In This Episode:

• [00:28] Allison Brown is here to talk about resilience, loss, and personal growth.
• [03:11] Allison opens up about the loss of her mother and how it led her to question identity, purpose, and meaning.
• [04:05] She talks about earning her psychology degree from UNC Chapel Hill and studying spiritual formation.
• [05:13] We discuss the importance of self-reflection and why it’s rarely taught to kids or adults.
• [06:00] Allison recalls the tragic accident that changed her life and her family forever.
• [07:44] We reflect on the Outer Banks community’s remarkable support during her father’s recovery.
• [09:14] Allison shares how long walks on the beach became part of her healing journey.
• [09:50] She discovers Jungian life coaching and the message that “you’re not broken.”
• [10:25] Reading her mother’s journals revealed patterns of people-pleasing and self-doubt.
• [11:18] Allison decides to align her inner and outer life and show up authentically.
• [12:08] We talk about parenting, ego, and gaining perspective later in life.
• [13:38] Allison shares how she learned to start each day with self-care and journaling.
• [14:27] She walks through her daily practice for grounding and reconnecting with purpose.
• [15:15] We talk about how empathy and listening can change relationships.
• [16:59] Discussion about tools like StrengthsFinder and the Enneagram for personal insight.
• [17:57] Allison explains how Carl Jung’s ideas, shadow work, and neuroscience shape her coaching.
• [19:14] We talk about how early conditioning and childhood patterns still affect adult behavior.
• [20:05] Allison shares why emotional triggers can be powerful teachers.
• [21:05] She explains how she structures her coaching work with individuals and teams.
• [22:14] We discuss the growing acceptance of counseling and coaching, especially among men.
• [23:01] Allison describes how her business grew through word-of-mouth and local book clubs.
• [23:49] She reflects on the joy of watching clients experience breakthroughs.
• [26:05] Allison’s biggest realization: you’re not broken — you’re whole and human.
• [27:00] Learning to accept anger, sadness, and imperfection in ourselves and others.
• [28:05] Finding grace and understanding for parents, kids, and life’s messy moments.
• [28:20] We talk about the power of the Outer Banks and how daily beach walks bring clarity.
• [29:18] Allison reflects on quiet, phone-free moments and the peace they bring.
• [30:00] Teaching emotional awareness to her kids through open, honest conversations.
• [31:37] Letting children grow through struggle and self-discovery.
• [32:12] Allison shares what she loves most about life on the Outer Banks like the beach and connection.
• [33:22] We talk about technology, parenting, and staying present in real life.
• [35:02] Lessons learned through heartbreak and challenges and letting our kids do the same.
• [36:03] Closing thoughts on gratitude, purpose, and what it means to live fully each day.

Resources: 

• Beach Road Banter - Instagram
• Allison Brown
• The Enneagram Institute
• StrengthsFinder
• The Outer Banks