Introducing #MancrushMonday: Dr. Dean Allen
#MancrushMonday is a FABULOUS new series dedicated to showcasing some seriously inspiring men that have crossed my path. Previously on my #jaxpirational series I gave the ladies some props, it’s time the men got a shout out!
Dr Dean Allen is a British Historian and a rugby fan, who has been giving talks online raising funds for the Rugby Players Fund as well as sharing his insights on the current hot topic, our dear friend Corona. I so appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with me. So without further adieu let me introduce:
Tell us a bit about yourself
As a native of Somerset in the West Country of England, my long association with South Africa began in the mid-1990s when I began my studies at Stellenbosch University. Until recently I was a Senior Lecturer at Bournemouth University in the UK but have now embarked on a professional MC and speaking career which has brought me back to my beloved South Africa.
Over the past decade, I have taught at Universities here in South Africa, Australia, Northern Ireland, and England and have been widely published in the areas of sports history and sociology. My award-nominated book ‘Empire, War and Cricket’ is published by Penguin Random House and has sold over 10,000 copies alone here in South Africa!
When and where were you born?
1 July 1971 in UK
Where are you living now?
Wilderness, South Africa
What kind of creative are you?
Author, Speaker, Historian
Name of your brand?
Dr Dean Allen – Author Lecturer Historian
How did you discover your calling?
I was going nowhere in my mid 20s, working in a boring office job in my hometown in England, when I met a South African at a gym and the rest, as they say, is history! She persuaded me to go to university (I’m the first in my family to do so) and this lead to me to begin an academic career that would take me around the world. I fell in love with South and its people on my first visit in 1996 and now I call it home!
What do you love most about what you do?
People! Spreading positivity and inspiration and hopefully making a change in people’s lives – no matter how small that impact may be.
What do you like the least about what you do?
Relying on unreliable people. It can be an unpredictable way of making a living.
Who or what has been your biggest motivators ?
To give my very best in everything that I do. There have been some notable individuals (especially here in South Africa) who have believed in me from the very start of this journey. My parents have also been very supportive.
Have you experienced fear along the way & how did you overcome it?
Many times. Leaving safe and secure jobs and a settled lifestyle to take up an opportunity elsewhere is always a challenge. I just had to believe in myself. I’m not a ‘what if’ kind of person.
What are your greatest achievement/s?
A PhD? A best-selling book? A life of travel and experiences? Being a decent person
Who do you thank for your success?
Parents, friends, my partner and some very special people here in South Africa.
What upcoming projects do you have?
A new book about rugby in South Africa (due out next year) and in the near future – my FIFA World Cup talk to a live online audience on 20 September 2020.
How are you currently coping with the #Covid19 Crisis?
We moved to Wilderness on the Garden Route just before lockdown. Getting back to nature has been a blessing! I’ve learnt to slow down a little and not to be so hard on myself. In doing so, I’ve built up more of an appreciation for the simple things in life. Also, presenting ‘lessons from history’, such as comparisons with the 1918 Spanish Flu, has given me and others an important sense of perspective at this time.
Any words of encouragement for other male creatives out there?
Be yourself always and believe in what you do!
Where can we stalk you on social media?
Website: www.deanallen.co.za
Instagram : Dr Dean Allen
Twitter: Dr Dean Allen
Facebook: Dr Dean Allen
LinkedIn: Dr Dean Allen
Special Thanks to Dr Dean Allen for his time and for sharing a bit more about himself. Stay tuned for another #MancrushMonday next week!
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