Swingman: What a Difference a Decade Makes

by Alexandra Allred

A simple bike ride changed their lives! It was a bike ride that forever changed Captain Marshall Allen's life. Seven years later, a very similar bike ride would do the same for magazine editor Alexandra Allred. While many believed it was destiny that Alex would take a bike route that would lead her to tell Marshall's extraordinary story, it soon became clear that Marshall was also meant to help Alex. Marshall was a pioneer in the fire department, becoming the first black fire fighter in Salt Lake County. Alex was a pioneer in the sports world, becoming the first U.S. women's bobsled champion. But where Marshall was from very humble beginnings, once abused in the foster care system, Alex was the daughter of a U.S. Diplomat. They were worlds apart. Neither had any idea how much trouble was brewing ... This is the story of an unlikely friendship between a quadriplegic fire fighter and a former national athlete turned writer and how they changed local and national policies, took on the good 'ol boy network and the "Big Boys" at the US Capitol. Walking on What a Difference A Decade Makes is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud book that chronicles the last ten years of their lives, their faith (or once lack thereof) and their own personal fires. If you believe in miracles, if you believe you can fight city hall, if you believe in overcoming insurmountable obstacles, this is the book for you! Prepare to be inspired by the indomitable spirit of both Captain Marshall Allen and his friend Alexandra Allred.

Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2010

About the author

Alexandra Allred was born in Frankfurt, Germany and traveled the world as the daughter of a
US Diplomat and DIA attaché. She made sports (and medical) history through sport. When
she learned that women were not allowed in bobsled, she lobbied for equal status and would
ultimately win the U.S. Nationals in September 1994, making sports history as she was named to
the first women’s bobsled team.  When the United States Olympic Committee named her Athlete
of the Year for her sport, it made international news as Allred was pregnant when she made the
team!
At the time, there was very little data on elite pregnant athletes and powerlifting/plyometrics.
While Allred became the “poster child” of the Case Western OB/GYN international study,
Allred was, at five months pregnant, squatting 375 lbs. and clocked at 20 MPH while
running.  The results of this study changed how to measure the safety of baby in utero for
competitive athletes. Both the United States and International Olympic Committee use Alex’s
training data as a safety guide for pregnant athletes and she serves as a fitness/nutrition expert
for www.pregnancy.org. 
      Sports Illustrated also took interest, asking her to try out for a women’s professional football
team and write about her experiences in the award-winning book, Atta Girl! A Celebration of
Women in Sport (Wish Publishing).  Allred went on to write for a series of publications and
appear on numerous television and print outlets, and was also the subject of a series of
documentaries.
 Alex's professional athletic and writing careers have been based on empowerment. Alex
wrote the first ever US bylaws for the women's bobsled program and fought to have women
included in the Olympic Games; she changed protocol for elite coaches (as well as the USOC
and IOC) in regards to physical training while pregnant; testified before the IOC at the London
Games; served as an Air Ambassador and lobbied on Capitol Hill and was nominated as a White
House Champion of Change for Public Health and was invited to speak before the International
Thoracic Society on public health. She created an asthma commercial (aired before the US
Senate) with the League of Women Voters and when she saw a need for those within the special
needs populations, she returned to school so she could be an advocate for their cause. She is an
award-winning documentary filmmaker/author and continues to freelance nationally and
internationally, as well as public speaking on issues of empowerment, equality, business and
education. She has penned more than 20 books and continues to guest freelance for multiple
national publications.
She is an adjunct professor at both Tarleton State University and Navarro College, teaching
kinesiology lectures and classes, as well as leadership and success skills courses. Using her
students and faculty, including the Occupational Therapy Department, Allred created an exercise
and empowerment program for special needs that include those with a diagnosis of Down
syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, stroke, as we all other intellectual
and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) who need a health/wellness overhaul but also need
greater self-esteem and confidence building. 13 Able was created to spur on fitness, happiness
and empowerment.

      This 4th degree black belt retired from competitive fighting long ago but continues to offer
free self-defense classes for women and health/wellness class for those living within the Special
Needs world.
      Today, as she fights for her parents against Alzheimer's and dementia, Operation
Caregivers: #LifewithDementia is yet another battle to restore dignity for those who suffer
from the disease and empowerment for their caregivers. Today, she also offers free fitness
classes for those living with special needs as she believes EVERYONE deserves to be
empowered!

Reviews

[Stacey Mayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. This book was the first of Alex's that I read, and I guess I didn't realize how talented she is. Swingman is one of the best read's that I have ever had! I found myself reading until late in the night, and then looking up at the clock wondering where all the time went. It is very easy to get lost in her words. She has such a way with words, it makes the readers feel like they are right there with her. If there is anyone who has not read this book, well, pity on you. Pick it up, read it, and you will not be sorry!!!