In this episode, Paul interviews Martin Allen, Professional football player, coach and manager. They discuss the importance of hard work and determination in achieving your goals and the many challenges that can stand in your way

This interview is a fascinating insight into the life of a professional footballer - both during and after their playing career

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Were you aware of the expectations growing up?

When I was in the youth team at QPR, I found myself with a brilliant but intimidating coach. He quickly made it clear that I didn’t fit into his plans. This was the first time I experienced rejection and happened at the same time others in my family were doing brilliantly in their football careers

I came originally from Dagenham and was very aware of those from this area who did very well. My father who was a player, manager, coach and set up a program of boxing, athletics and labouring to increase my strength between football seasons

My body and my mentality changed. When I returned to pre-match training, there was a race for all members of the club, and I beat everyone, They could not believe their eyes!

That was the day I realised I could move from the youth team to the seniors. It changed my life, I had the self-belief that I could do it

• What’s your life vision now?

When professional footballers finish their careers there is a great void. A chasm about how you are going to fulfill anything else in your life.

I was invited to take up the role as assistant coach and then took up several other opportunities leading to the post of manager at Gillingham FC, where we were very successful. I was able to repeat this with Barnet FC and so have achieved the things I wanted to do, professionally.

The charity work I am involved in has given me a wider awareness of what is important in life. I’ve run coaching programs and admire people who have a smile even though they may not have very much.

• Where did ‘Mad Dog’ come from?

Not many footballers have a nickname that is so recognizable!

At the time my tackling wasn’t great, and I was very passionate which sometimes resulted in me having froth on my mouth; one of my team started calling me ‘Mad Dog’ and this was picked up by the fans

I also went on to have the nickname ‘Uncle’ with the players at Gillingham and I’m very proud of this as it’s a huge compliment. When they were asked why, it’s because they felt looked after by me as their coach.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Lots of hard work not just through natural skills’

‘It was character-building’

‘You’re like our favourite uncle looking after us and making sure we’re okay’

‘It’s about finding inner-peace’

‘I tried my best it didn’t work - that’s life!’

‘My dad was my coach and my mentor’

‘The determination, focus and self-belief along with the drive from my dad’

‘Application of hard work got me over the line’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Speaking-our-Hearts-Mastering-game/dp/1781332819

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/mastering-life/id1421271122?mt=2

ABOUT THE HOST

Something that’s never been attached to Paul is the label ‘normal’ – for which he is immensely proud.  He definitely subscribes to being one of those mentioned – in the Steve Jobs quote:

“Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Paul Lowe is the founder of PaulLoweHEARTS – which has a three-fold purpose. 

Firstly, to help you make the transition from pain to purpose; secondly, to get your inspirational messages and stories out into the world and thirdly, to support charitable organisations in their development & fund-raising.

We achieve this by:

• Delivering our empowering Mindset For Success programmes
• Sharing your true-life inspirational messages and stories through our Mastering Life Podcast and our Speaking From Our HEARTS book series
• Utilising our significant charitable knowledge and experience.

Find Your Purpose – Make  A Difference

Paul is totally committed to his HEARTS brand vision (an acronym) of:

‘Helping Everyone Achieve Results Towards Success’.

He has a long and distinguished track-record of raising significant funds for a multitude of good causes; positively changing the lives of many disadvantaged children within the UK and globally – drawing on his colourful and wide-ranging life’s experiences to help others do the same and achieve success in the game of life.

“Remember – Mastering Life Starts, By Embracing Our HEARTS!”

CONTACT METHOD

paul@paul-lowe.org

http://www.paullowehearts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PaulLoweHEARTS/

https://twitter.com/PaulLoweHEARTS

https://www.instagram.com/paullowehearts/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmznF8VCcZKEdSfE7VlwUA

ABOUT THE GUEST

Martin ‘Mad Dog’ Allen is an English football manager and former player, with Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before finishing his playing career with Portsmouth and Southend United.

Subsequently, Martin took his first job in management, at non-league Barnet; since managing several other clubs – enjoying his first club promotion with Gillingham in the 2012-13 season.  This feat was repeated the following year, successfully leading Barnet to League 2 promotion.

Martin comes from a very prestigious football background.  His cousins, Paul Allen, Bradley Allen and Clive Allen, were also footballers, as was his uncle Les Allen. His father, Dennis, played for Reading, Charlton Athletic and Bournemouth.