Shooting for Stars/Building Resilient Children: Allyson Schwab’s Journey in the world of the Olympics, Entrepreneurship, Managing Youth and Collegiate Atheletes, and Autism Awareness

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting my dear friend Allison Schwab, an extraordinary photographer, mother of four, and founder of the Autism nonprofit organization Every Piece Matters. Hailing originally from Virginia, Allison now resides in the Midwest with her husband, Doug Schwab, a former Olympian and current wrestling coach at the University of Northern Iowa. Allison shared her journey from Virginia to Iowa and her family’s intriguing background, including the story of how she met Doug. She is a mother to two sons, Hayden and Hendrix, who are accomplished wrestlers, and twin daughters Jenna and Lennon, who are seven and were diagnosed with autism before the age of two.

We discussed the inspiration behind Every Piece Matters, a nonprofit dedicated to providing communication tools for individuals with diverse communication needs. Allison shared the challenges she faced as a parent when her daughters were diagnosed with autism, the strategies she employed to address their communication issues, and the organization's impact in donating over 500 communication boards across the U.S. She also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and support, which significantly helps in the long-term development of children with autism.

Allison balanced her busy career as a photographer with her responsibilities as a mother and an advocate. She is particularly noted for her sports photography, which is recognized nationally and internationally, and her role as a surrogate mom to around 30 wrestlers. We also explored the pressures of parenting student-athletes, the importance of focusing on attitude and effort over results, and maintaining a balance between celebrating achievements and managing failures.

The episode highlighted Allison's approach to modeling grace and compassion under pressure, her advice on handling the educational system for children with diverse needs, and the significance of having support systems in place. She encouraged maintaining open communication and realistic expectations for children to help them grow without feeling the burden of results-oriented pressure. Additionally, we touched on her personal strategies for managing a busy household and multiple roles.

This episode serves as an inspiring journey through Allison's life, providing listeners with insight into parenting, balancing various responsibilities, and advocating for children with special needs.