From Secret Service to Surrogacy: A Dad's Journey Through Grief, Growth, and Building Legacy: Cory Allen

Former Secret Service agent Corey Allen opens up about his unconventional path to fatherhood through surrogacy, including the grief of miscarriages and the challenges of balancing work, family, and aging parents. He shares how becoming a dad transformed his patience, led him to write a children's book about travel, and taught him to embrace flexibility while building meaningful legacy for his children.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:[00:01:43] - The Surrogacy JourneyDiscussion of 5-year fertility journey including cultural considerations and multiple setbacksKey quote: "Nobody prepared us for the grief that came with having transfers... nobody prepared us for two miscarriages."[00:06:17] - Navigating Non-Biological ParenthoodHow couples handle rejection and different parenting instincts when one parent isn't biologicalKey quote: "We just have to do those check-ins... making sure we're checking in because it's not easy to witness or to experience."[00:09:40] - The Sandwich Generation ChallengeManaging elderly parents on both coasts while raising toddler and expecting second childKey quote: "Something about the American baby boomer generation. Some of them just don't really have the ability to think beyond themselves."[00:14:13] - Writing "Data Takes a Trip"Creating children's book to help explain work travel and maintain connectionKey quote: "I would love to have a book that explains dadada has to leave, but he'll be back. He loves you."[00:22:04] - Learning from Parenting MistakesRecognizing how children mirror our behaviors and the need for immediate changeKey quote: "I was fighting my own attributes... I was dealing with my own personality. He's got those attributes."[00:26:15] - Growing Patience as a ParentStrategies for managing frustration and developing flexibility with toddler behaviorKey quote: "I have to literally take a deep breath, exhale purposefully. And that usually does it for me."[00:30:58] - Fears About Mortality and LegacyConcerns about being present for children's milestones and creating lasting impactKey quote: "I'm just worrying about that a lot... the kids are young and if I pass away tomorrow, they're not going to have those core memories."[00:38:05] - The Pull-Up Diaper DisasterHumorous story about discovering pull-tab feature during messy diaper changeKey quote: "There is poo everywhere. I'm like, how are there no quick release on these stupid pull up diapers?"On June 17th, I’m hosting a free, live workshop, Become a Better Leader By Becoming a Better Dad, for fathers who are tired of living a divided life. We’ll explore how “Default Dad” shows up when you’re tired, overloaded, or distracted, and how those same patterns affect your leadership at home and at work. Register here: https://www.ambitiousdads.com/better-dad-better-leaderSign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.comConnect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comSubscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads