Allan has authored Breaking Through: Discovering the Riches Within, an insightful account of his triumphant and inspiring story. Allan McDougall is a 50-year retired member of United Steelworkers. His continued mission is serving as Client Relations Coordinator for Provost Umphrey Law Firm. Known for his visionary and strategic leadership, Allan also facilitated Educational Programs for unions on a local, national and international level, implemented and conducted accredited courses for members in the United States and Canada. Allan provides powerfully dynamic strategies, proven to work, into personalized programs. He asserts his own life experiences, energy and influences to capture, educate and inspire audiences to take the necessary actions required to change their lives for the better. He uses those traits as a speaker for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and is a volunteer member on their Victim’s Impact Panel. In this episode we cover: * “not seeing through people but seeing people through” * How to travel the longest highway in the world- the 18″ inches from your head back to your heart *Allan shares his acronym HOW: Honesty, Open-minded, Willingness * A powerful tool to access your emotional body and much more 

At age 19,with an alcohol-induced sense of bravado, McDougall began work as a miner in Northern Ontario – a career he remained in for 22 years, but that became a metaphor for the dark, desolate underworld where his alcohol-fueled existence led.In unflinching detail, Breaking Through exposes the hideous underbelly of addiction. Despite the pain inflicted on his family, the loss of his marriage, and the toll on his health, McDougall only hit rock bottom when his body finallyRebelled. The day came when he couldn’t take a sip of alcohol without throwing up. He contemplated suicide, but fortunately turned instead to his United Steel Workers (USW) union’s Employee Assistance Program for help. So began McDougall’s struggle to claw his way out of his personal cave-in to a new life of sobriety and hope. In a compelling story that interweaves humor, reflection, and unwavering honesty, he portrays the rollercoaster of emotions – from anger to humility to elation – experienced while reclaiming a ravaged life. He transforms from childish, or self-centered, to childlike, or other-centered, as he learns to re-engage with and delight in other people and the world of possibilities surrounding him. McDougall’s inspirational quest to become a motivational speaker, through both intention and serendipity, is instructive for anyone at a crossroads trying to change their lives. Now a sought-after speaker and international coordinator ofUSW’s emergency response team, McDougall spreads his message of hope, while also infusing real ty mined from his personal depths of despair.McDougall describes:•When dealing with addicts, it’s important to hate the addiction but love the person•The paradox that strength only comes from admitting one’s weakness•Why those seeking change find that help magically appears once you’re sober•How AA’s “Promises” serve as inspiration for change With Breaking Through, McDougall sheds light on the tortured path of the alcoholic and, through his own instructive and inspirational story, how it is possible to climb out of the darkness into the light.

This book is a dream I have carried with me for twenty-four years.” He lives these words daily as head of the United Steelworkers Union’s Emergency Response Team, reaching out as a crisis counselor to the families of workers killed on the job. “Every day for 22 years I went thousands of feet under the ground and fought Mother Earth in sweltering heat for her mineral wealth. But, however far inside the earth I went, the riches I discovered when I went deep within myself, the 18 inches from my head to my heart, have proven much more valuable. Those 18 inches were the hardest distance I have ever traveled, yet, after more than twenty years, I am still mining that vein, and I am convinced that it is a bottomless source of personal riches.” Many is the book we can’t put down, but rare is the story we take with us. Breaking Through is such a story.

A powerful speaker and trainer, Allan McDougall is a member of Les Brown’s elite Platinum Speaking Network as well as Toastmasters, International.  Powerfully dynamic, he integrates proven strategies into personalized programs.  His real life experiences, energy and captivating style, influences, motivates, educates and inspires audiences to take the action required to change their lives for the better. Ask Cathleen! The review Show to Adam, Where Art Thou? And your opportunity to get information about anything and everything you are in need of. Business advice? Relationships? Issues with kids? Everyone always asks me to help them with something, here is your chance! Also, get the details about the upcoming guests and topics that start at 7PM on Adam, Where Art Thou with Cathleen Williams!