Austin Allen: My Journey to Athletic Advisory

My name is Austin Allen, and my story is one of growth, transformation, and commitment to my faith, family, and the athletes I work with. First and foremost, I am a Christian. While I am far from perfect, I am constantly reminded of the truth that we are all born sinners, and I strive to live with grace and humility.

Above all else, I am a father. My son is the most important person in my life. Every decision I make and every action I take is motivated by my desire to be the best example for him. I want him to always know that I will be there for him, no matter what.

Growing up, I faced many challenges. Although I come from a military family— my father served—I had no family background in baseball. My father was a prominent basketball player, but I found my passion in baseball along side my brothers. In high school, I was fortunate enough to be named a small-school All-American during my senior year at North Pulaski High School, which is now known as Jacksonville High School. My journey was not always easy, though.

I was often rough around the edges, a product of my upbringing and the obstacles I faced. But every challenge molded me into who I am today. I have encountered adversity in every form, from becoming an early father while also being a full-time student-athlete, to working 40 hours a week just to make ends meet. I struggled with discipline and accountability, failing to do what was required both in and outside the classroom. Despite my athletic talent and intelligence, I lacked the focus to reach my full potential.My athletic career began at Southwest Tennessee Community College, but I soon transferred to Arkansas State University. However, my journey was far from smooth, and I ended up back at the junior college level at Arkansas Baptist College. This was a pivotal moment for me. There, I encountered a family of coaches and teammates who welcomed both me and my son into their fold. It was during this time that I realized I had to become a better version of myself—not just for my career, but for my son.

As I completed my time at Arkansas Baptist, I had planned to return to Arkansas State, but the consequences of my earlier decisions caught up with me. Because I had not properly managed my off-field responsibilities, I became ineligible to return to an NCAA school. At the time, it felt like a setback, but looking back, it was one of the best things that could have happened to me.

I transferred to Central Baptist College, where I declared a major in Psychology of Science and Sociology. It was here that my faith, mental capacity, and maturity began to evolve. By this point, I had already torn my ACL three times in my left knee, but I never allowed my physical injuries to serve as an excuse. My lack of discipline off the field, however, was something I could no longer ignore.

After my fifth year of school, but only my third year of eligibility, I made the difficult decision to hang up my cleats and shift my focus to business. What I thought would lead to a career in DHS or counseling took a surprising turn when I partnered with a businessman to open a training facility called Applied Velocity.

At Applied Velocity, I began training athletes at all levels, from high school players to those pursuing collegiate and professional careers. Two years into this venture, I received a call from Pangburn High School, where they were in need of a coach. Having worked with many of the students there, I saw an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I took the job and also started teaching psychology. In our first season together, we finished 22-11, losing in the state tournament.

After that season, I sold the facility and relocated to Little Rock to be closer to family. I began teaching and coaching at Robinson High School, where I spent three years coaching and teaching helping our team advanced to the state championship game. Ultimately, I decided to step away from education, but my journey in coaching continued.

Over the years, I have spent summers and weekends coaching high-level showcase baseball through organizations such as Arkansas Prospects, Soldier Spects National, and now Premium Athletics. Additionally, I began working for JUCOROUTE, where I’ve helped relocate numerous of athletes through camps and clinics. Currently Serving as an instructor at Proformance Sports Academy.

All of these experiences, though only a snapshot of my journey, have led me to the creation of Athletic Advisory. In my years of coaching and mentoring athletes, I’ve realized that there is not enough attention given to the mental side of the game—the pressure, the sacrifices, and the emotional toll that athletes experience. My goal with Athletic Advisory is to focus on this crucial aspect and provide athletes with the support they need to navigate both the physical and mental challenges of their sport.