We had the good fortune of connecting with Rob Malloy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rob, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Many don’t know this, but I have been an active parent for most of my life. I was a young father. By the time I was 18 years old, I had two children. My youngest child was born when I was 29 years old and she is 19 now. So because of choices I made as a young man, I didn’t allow myself to follow my dreams. I focused my time on making sure I could provide for my kids. I didn’t really have a good work-life balance at all until much later in life. Mainly because I didn’t understand what it meant to create a work-life balance. Don’t get me wrong, my children are blessings and I wouldn’t change having them for anything in the world. I do have to admit that I had 3 children before my brain had really finished developing as a man.

I was in my mid-thirties before I realized that I even needed a work-life balance. I already knew that work for me also needed to make a positive impact on my community at large. Which is one of the reasons that I joined the military right out of high school. In high school I thought that working as many hours as possible, while going to school was the work-life balance.

Now, ss a grown man, I know how challenging it can be to maintain a work-life balance. It’s not easy to juggle a demanding job, a family, and personal responsibilities. However, it’s essential to strive for a healthy balance in order to avoid burnout and maintain a fulfilling life. The first step for me was learning to define what I needed in a work-life balance at 48 years old. for me, my work-life balance refers to the ability to prioritize and manage my work and personal life in a way that allows me to meet my professional and personal goals. The professional and personal goals that I have now are VERY different now that I am a part of the Adult Children Crew! Now my personal goals are tied to my professional goals because now I can afford to focus on my dreams, now that my children are adults.

I set my schedule based on what I have to get accomplished for the week and I schedule self-care. I schedule dates in advance. Yes, I am single, so yes I date from time to time, but I schedule them so that getting to know new people doesn’t distract me from my legacy goals. At this point in my life, I know that I have to have boundaries to maintain that healthy work-life balance. I also know that as an entrepreneur, actor, voice over artist, author and a few other things – my work life can seem a bit much. However, it really is about using my schedule and my calendar and planning self-care, family days and even time with the guys for Man Talk to balance my life.

The closer I get to 50 years old, the more I realize that I can have it all, if I take the time to create that balance so I can enjoy it all, at the same time.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned before, I wear quite a few hats and admittedly, as a man it is extremely difficult for me to multi-task, so was it easy to do what I do – NO! However, it is so worth it when you make a lasting impact on others, your family and you are building that legacy.

I am a Certified Dating Coach.

What is a Dating Coach?

It probably isn’t what you think. As a dating coach I mentor and guide my clients through the 11 steps of the dating process. Because – let’s be honest – I was finding that dating today for most people, especially those dating after a divorce, death of a spouse, or ending of a long term relationship can be overwhelming, discouraging, and often feel like the last thing you want to spend your time doing. A quick internet search about Dating Coaches might lead you to think that a dating coach is best suited (or really, only suited) to those people interested in long-term lasting love with one person of the opposite sex. Yet contrary to our cultural narrative, this is definitely not the case. As a Dating Coach I also work with a broad spectrum of people who are looking for different kinds of outcomes. Without going too deep some of the clients I work with are those who know or suspect that monogamy is not for them; or, aren’t sure what they want out of dating long-term, and dating right now is partly about figuring that out; or, know that they want a committed relationship or relationships at some point, just not now, and they want to have some fun in the meantime; and, yes, many are dating to find a long-term committed monogamous partner right now.

All Dating Coaches are not the same. I use my own personal experiences to be a Relationship Realist with my clients. Often times my clients are those that feel like they’re constantly drawn to the same type of person – someone who ultimately doesn’t match what they really want from a relationship. And some stumble because they’ve bought into the narrative that their goal should be a long-term committed relationship, but they’re actually ambivalent or conflicted about that. And yes, I have clients who struggle with monogamy and to societal norms in relationships. I work with my clients to shift mindsets, and unearth and change unhelpful patterns. I also work with them to increase confidence, and absorb the skills they’re lacking to navigate the dating world. Math doesn’t lie. If someone is having horrible dating experiences all the time, the common factor in the equation is them. My job as an experienced Dating Coach is to teach you how to navigate your romantic engagements in a way that feels true to who you are. Also, to help you gain clarity around what you genuinely want from dating, and help you have joy and fun in the process. That is what I do as a Dating Coach.

Why is this important in my opinion?

Part of being a human being involves interactions with others or what we call relationships. Relationships are not always romantic. Often we mess up valuable relationships because we try to make them romantic. How many people would not be divorced or would even being doing great business if they learned how to identify those that are compatible with the lifestyle that they want to live, their goals, dreams and values – before getting into a romantic relationship with them. If we know how to date properly, we could have appropriate relationships across the board in all areas of our lives. Being a Dating Coach allows me to use my life lessons to help make a positive impact.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The metro Atlanta is an amazing place to live. So I am going to give you the Sunday – Saturday run down for anyone looking to find something to do. I am going to focus on things that are local and can’t be found anywhere else.

On Sunday – I grew up going to church on Sunday Mornings, everything I am going to suggest is going to be good after noon on Sundays. For brunch I would suggest, Breakfast at Barneys. Then if there wasn’t a game being played on Sunday I would suggest going to the Georgia Aquarium, The World of Coke and the College Football Hall of Fame. For Dinner I would suggest going to the Polaris, since you are downtown already.

On Monday – Start off the day with Breakfast at Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood. Then visit the Martin Luther King Center, Martin Luther King’s childhood home, the first African American ran Fire station in Atlanta and have lunch at Pascal’s. There is also a Civil Right’s tour, but I would suggest doing it on your own. For Dinner I would suggest Ray’s in the City. I love cigars so, if you are into the Cigar Bar vibe, I would suggest Prime Cigar Bar.

On Tuesday – I would suggest doing the 90 minute Trolley Tour of Atlanta. I have been here for years and I enjoyed that tour. Stopping in for food at any of the local mom and pop restaurants in the area would be good. You really can’t go wrong.

On Wednesday = I would suggest to museum hop. The High Museum, The Atlanta History Museum, The Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and the Carter Center, The National Center for Human and Civil Rights and the Michael Carlos Museum are all excellent. Ponce City Market would be a great spot for lunch or dinner. Wednesdays is also when the night life in Atlanta starts to pick up. If you like R&B you have to check out Ladies Love R&B at the Red Martini.

On Thursday I would suggest going to the historic houses. The Margaret Mitchell House, the Wren’s Nest and the Herndon Home Museum. If you are up to a little more history I would also suggest checking out the Breman Museum. A walking tour of Inman Park and APEX Museum to round out the history tours!! That evening you can either hit up St. James Live for live music or City Winery.

On Friday I would take it back to a bit of history and do the tour of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Monetary Museum. By exploring an exhibit of historical artifacts, you’ll discover the fascinating story of money—from barter to modern times. You’ll also learn about the turbulent history of banking in America and see examples of rare coins and currency. You will be downtown again so No Mas Cantina would be a good restaurant for lunch or dinner. Friday nights have so much to offer. So I would hate to limit someone to just one place. However, Cafe Intermezzo for dinner or dessert is a must.

On Saturday – I would say explore Cascade’s Nature Preserve just to get outside and do something different.

I am big on legacy so I am not the turn up king. I will say my list will have you experiencing Atlanta in a way that you will never forget.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well first I have to Shoutout my creator – God! Seriously, I know it sounds cliche, but without God I really wouldn’t be here. I am a walking miracle in real life. The next shoutout would have to be my parents! They have been married for over 40 years! The way that they do things to maintain their relationship is AMAZING!!! They have taught me and my siblings how to pivot and make it work without allowing things to be toxic. My siblings for keeping me grounded. My children and grandchildren for being my reason why!!! And finally my team that has been with me for more than 7 years. Those two help me bring all of my visions to life!

Website: www.robmalloy.com

Instagram: iamrobmalloy

Twitter: iamrobmalloy

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