Some of the hardest fights are not necessarily on a battlefield or in a boxing ring, but in the mind. For innovative mental health coach and author Elliot Allen, 50, this idea is rooted in the belief that true empowerment begins with a resilient mindset, particularly when it comes to Black men and some of their struggles tied to mental health.
Through mental conditioning, he offers help with personal, academic, and career goals. Allen is the author of the recently released title, “12 Rounds of Mental Conditioning: Us vs LIFE ‘The Big Fight,’” which discusses how to confront myriad challenges that can affect one’s mental state using four fundamental principles: self-evaluation, decision-making, big-picture thinking, and staying the course. His principles draw inspiration from boxing and fighting disciplines.
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“When you watch a boxing match, most people just see two people going in there and throwing punches at each other,” Allen said. “But it’s a very technical sport; my dad taught me that. You have to know what you’re doing and really be thinking under the most stressful situations. It’s very similar to life.”
A Queens native, Allen grew up in the Cambria Heights neighborhood. Though Allen didn’t box himself, he played basketball in his youth and admired athletes, including Muhammad Ali. After graduating from college, Allen became a computer engineer and business owner. He bought the house he was raised in by his parents and ended up marrying the girl next door. He was successful for a number of years until his business soured, he said.
His next career move led him to law enforcement, where he is currently a NYPD detective. Allen spent 19 years going into jail cells, interviewing Black and Brown men about the circumstances that led them to be arrested or imprisoned. In doing so, he discovered a passion as a mental health speaker and wellness advocate. He found that the concept of mental training and boxing analogies helped his target audience be more comfortable with discussing mental health. Allen has months to go before his slated retirement this year, and has decided to pursue writing and advocacy full time.
“For Black men in our society, we have to understand how to really train our minds to have a clear big picture because the road is very difficult, the fight is going to be tough. We’re going to get knocked down more than any other group of people,” said Allen. “No question about it.”
Allen’s book signing and launch will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the famous Gleason’s Gym on 130 Water Street in Brooklyn. Go to mentalconditioningmovement.com to RSVP.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.