Allison Barney

Background

About Allison Barney

When I left the USAF, I lost my direction and purpose. I flowed through different industries and titles searching for the belonging and intention I had once felt. Upon finding the sport of skydiving, I found connection, direction, and most importantly passion. A large percentage of skydivers are active or prior service military. The familiar bond of service before self echoed through airplane hangars. Through my love for the sport and diligence in examining every regulation and instruction developed, I was encouraged to obtain an instructional coach rating. Becoming a skydiving coach highlighted incredibly rewarding passions I hadn’t previously been introduced to – A fascination with adult development: Adults go through many transitions and changes over the course of their lives, which I find fascinating. Coaching adults is a way to explore these transitions and help others navigate them more effectively. A love of coaching and mentoring: I have always been passionate about helping others reach their full potential. Coaching and mentoring have proved an incredibly fulfilling opportunity to do so, particularly when you see your clients making progress and achieving their goals. Working in skydiving full-time was exciting and fed these passions yet I still felt unfulfilled. I knew I could do more. I also found passion in- Serving those who have served: I feel a great sense of gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices that military members have made and want to find ways to give back. I’ve often daydreamed of creating mental health resources, job assistance, and overall life-balancing and wellness programs to do so. Developing others in both personal and professional development: The combination of personal and professional development are key to leading a fulfilling life. Coaching adults in skydiving allowed me to develop others through their personal challenges but I had little to no effect on their professional lives. I wanted a way to help others develop the skills and mindset they need to achieve their goals and live their best lives. Being that my favorite community of adults to work with has always been my brothers and sisters in arms – active-duty military, veterans, retirees, and their families, becoming a transition specialist was a no-brainer to feed all my passions and be able to focus on my community. It is a deeply rewarding experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve others, develop meaningful relationships, and make a positive impact on people's lives every day.