Are you choosing to live a happy, fulfilling life?
Studies show that 90% of what separates a happy life from an unhappy one is within your control. One of the most powerful ways to unlock your best life is by setting, pursuing, and achieving meaningful goals.
You have the power to choose happiness—but don’t just take my word for it! Here’s how real people, just like you, are creating happiness by chasing their biggest goals.
Ready for a dad joke?
Consider this a lighthearted amuse-bouche for your brain before we get serious. Sure, it might be groan-worthy—but hey, at least you’re getting your money’s worth, right? ????
Why do bees have sticky hair?
Because they use honeycombs.
Brains, Beauty, and Bravery: Inside Allison’s Journey to Say Yes to Herself
???? Welcome to this month’s Interview with a Goal-Crusher! ????
Each month, I sit down with someone who’s achieved big things through goal-setting and determination to uncover their secrets to success. Then, I share those insights with you… think of it as free mentoring from someone who’s already making it happen. Who wouldn’t want that?!
If you’re a long-time reader, you know how these things often begin for me: I was at run club, sipping post-run coffee, chatting with the crew. That’s when I struck up a conversation with a new member named Allison. And I’m so glad I did.
In addition to being a fellow runner, Allison is a fascinating and inspirational multi-hyphenate unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Over coffee, I learned that Allison:
- Graduated from UNC Law, one of the best in the country.
- Relocated to Columbus, Ohio—without knowing a soul.
- Recently passed the bar exam—no small feat!
- Creates fitness and influencer-style content on TikTok.
- Has worked as a legal tech consultant and AI trainer.
- Is a talented artist.
- And most recently… started modeling.
You could say she’s your classic technologist-lawyer-athlete-influencer-artist-model. ????
Seriously though, I’ve never met anyone with such a diverse combination of pursuits and talents.
And most impressively, Allison is a textbook example of a goal-crusher: someone who sees a possibility, challenges her self-doubt, and takes bold, intentional action to make it real.
In this month’s Interview with a Goal-Crusher, you’ll hear Allison’s inspiring story of how she turned her curiosity about modeling into a confident leap… and what she’s learned along the way.
Please introduce yourself and tell my readers about you and what you do.
My name is Allison, and I’m a graduate of UNC Law and a recently barred attorney.
I moved to Columbus last August and absolutely love it here!
I started my career working as a Legal Technology Consultant, and also worked as a Legal AI Trainer during my final year of law school. I’m an avid distance runner and weightlifter, and completed my first full marathon last year.
I recently started modeling and am really excited to continue developing as a model in my free time.
I also enjoy creating art, including sculptural works, graphic t-shirts, and cyanotype prints.
What motivated you to pursue modeling in addition to your other pursuits? What was your vision? Can you share some/all of your story?
I’ve always been creatively inclined and interested in art and fashion.
I’ve learned a lot about the modeling industry from TV, social media, and speaking with experienced models.
For many years, I was interested in maybe giving modeling a try, and was particularly interested in fitness-related and editorial content. Posing with clothing and props looked like it would be a lot of fun and a great way to channel my creativity.
Undergrad, law school, and summer jobs kept me busy enough that I thought I’d never have time to pursue modeling as a hobby. I also had no idea how to start.
When I moved to Columbus, I met a few women who are former models, and they encouraged me to apply to agencies. Their encouragement ultimately was what made a fleeting idea a serious intention, and I decided to finally pursue modeling after years of thinking about it in terms of “what ifs.”
What was the first step you took to get started with your goal?
One of my first friends I made in Columbus used to model at the agency I ended up signing to. She was the person who ultimately inspired me to apply to agencies, and she helped me with the first steps of taking “digitals” (unfiltered, natural-looking images of yourself taken to showcase your features) and sending them to agencies.
I had never done something like this before, so taking this first step was definitely a little intimidating.
Really, the first step was overcoming self-doubt and just going for it.
What were your biggest challenges in achieving your goals? How did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge in pursuing my goals has been self-doubt.
I’ve struggled with impostor syndrome my entire life, and it was especially daunting during my time in college. When I thought about applying to law school, I was unsure whether I was capable of rising to the challenge. I ended up surprising myself by getting an amazing scholarship at a top law school. I felt the same self-doubt when I decided to train for my first marathon and when it came time to take the bar exam.
I ended up exceeding my goals in both instances, and now, when I’m faced with a new goal or challenge, I think back on every time I reached my goal despite doubting myself at first.
Remembering all my successes and overcoming the impostor syndrome that accompanied them allows me to approach new challenges with confidence.
What goal success tips and techniques have worked well for you that you would like to share with my readers?
Adopting a “don’t overthink, just do” mindset has led me to success in all of my endeavors.
I’ve realized that what sets successful people apart is their ability to act on their ideas instead of just thinking about them. Taking the first step is the hardest part and can be really daunting, but getting up and taking one baby step is better than not acting at all. This goes for days where you’ve started the process of attaining a goal but feel as though you’re stuck in a rut.
Getting up and completing what you’re capable of that day (even if it’s 10%) is better than giving 0%.
Something I’ve gotten better at over time is remaining motivated despite experiencing obstacles or not seeing immediate progress.
In the pursuit of a long-term goal, it’s easy to lose sight of the end result, especially on days when motivation is lacking, positive reinforcement is absent, or a roadblock results in a setback. I’ve realized that, in the face of an obstacle, sometimes it’s okay to just take a step back, recoup, and get back on track when I’m ready.
I think adopting a “slow and steady” approach (consistent effort over time) is key to success.
When setting a new goal, I also think it’s really helpful to make your intentions known to your friends, family, and connections in certain cases. You never know who may be able to serve as a resource and help you along the way. Having emotional support is so important when pursuing a big life goal.
Telling others about my goals also keeps me accountable and motivated.
What is one goal you are excited about right now?
I’m excited to continue pursuing my interest in modeling in my free time and hopefully shoot some editorial content soon.
I’m also excited to develop in my fitness journey and would like to train for another half marathon in the next year.
What else would you like my Operation Melt readers to know about you, your modeling career, your journey or about goal success in general?
My biggest motivator is the notion that you’ll never know if you don’t try.
Every day, I’m truly excited to keep bettering myself. I believe that your life is whatever you want to make of it, as long as you get up and act.
How can people learn more about you?
They can find me on Instagram at @allison.crx and on TikTok at @allisoncrx! I think that my social media handles showcase my creativity.
Isn’t Allison an incredible example of a true goal-crusher?
That mix of roles she juggles, lawyer-artist-runner-influencer-model, isn’t just fascinating, it’s a reminder that we don’t have to pick just one path. We can choose them all.
What impressed me most was Allison’s courage in the face of self-doubt. She doesn’t pretend that impostor syndrome isn’t there; she acknowledges it, then acts anyway. That’s real confidence: doing the thing even when the voice in your head says you can’t… and then proving it wrong.
Her decision to pursue modeling, a long-standing curiosity turned into action, shows us there’s no “right” timeline or “correct” version of going after a dream. There’s just your way. And hers is working.
In fact, her story beautifully embodies several key Project Manage Your Life (PMYL) principles:
✅ Don’t Go It Alone
Allison didn’t leap blindly into modeling; she sought advice and surrounded herself with support, and shared her goal to stay accountable.
✅ Build a Plan That Works for You
Her plan isn’t one-size-fits-all. She’s a licensed attorney who models on the side, stays active and makes time for art. It’s unconventional … and it works.
✅ Expect and Plan Ahead for Problems
Allison knows self-doubt is part of her story. But by planning for it, she keeps it from derailing her journey. And by moving step by step, she keeps making progress.
Most importantly, Allison’s statement that “you’ll never know if you don’t try” is the embodiment of my Operation Melt vision: to create a world where no goal dies of loneliness.
???? Now It’s Your Turn
Allison had the courage to try; something many people talk themselves out of before they even begin. Because she dared to take that first step (and followed a few smart strategies), she became something the world hasn’t seen before: a lawyer-artist-model-fitness-influencer. That’s the power of just starting.
So let me ask you:
???? What dream have you been ignoring because your inner critic says you’re not ready?
???? What’s one small, brave step you could take to silence that voice and move closer to your dream?
Once you say yes to yourself, the rest is just a project … and I can help you manage it.
Want a System That Helps You Build Confidence One Step at a Time?
That’s why I created Project Manage Your Life …to give you a clear, proven system for turning ideas into goals, and goals into reality.
I’ve taken everything I use with my coaching clients and packaged it into a 3-part system:
???? Project Manage Your Life – the book that teaches you my 6-step goal-crushing framework.
???? PMYL Workbook – the companion guide packed with templates, trackers, and coaching-style prompts to help you put the process into action.
???? PMYL Coaching – personalized 1-on-1 support to help you build momentum, overcome challenges, and keep going … even when it gets hard.
These tools are your structure, your support, and your reminder that you can do this, even if your inner critic disagrees.
???? So… what’s that first, courageous step?
✨ I believe in you, let me help YOU believe in you! ✨
Calling All Goal-Crushers…
Know a goal-crusher with a story worth sharing? Or maybe it’s you? Let’s connect … I’m always looking for inspiring new interviews! I am always looking for new Interview with a Goal-Crusher candidates. Hit me up and let me know who I should be talking to.
Meet Coach Tony
Tony Weaver is a master life coach, technologist, consultant, writer, and founder of Operation Melt.
He helps project managers and other left-brained high-achievers pursue their biggest goals.
Through free resources, personalized coaching, and his proven Project Manage Your Life system, Tony empowers clients to move their dreams from “someday” to success — one step at a time.
Learn more about Project Manage Your Life, the system my clients and I use to crush our goals, at OperationMelt.com/PMYL/
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