
Nearly a decade ago Andy and I had our first date and it is was one to remember! The evening started off with a decent bottle of red in a classy wine bar (smooth hey?!) and, just as things threatened to become too sedate, I was whisked off to the other side of town to a spit and sawdust joint which goes by the name of The Frog and Frigate ( aka The Frog, lost its license at one point but has fortunately since been revived!) By midnight I was dancing on the tables with a pint of warm beer in my hand whilst the guitarist (also precariously stationed on a table) strummed The Beatles, Freddie Mercury, The Levellers and a truly eclectic set of acoustic numbers. Needless to say, after our first date, The Frog became our favourite haunt and most Fridays were spent rocking up at midnight, already three sheets to the wind and on a mission to party. A one off bar where all manner of people would come out of the woodwork to celebrate the arrival of the weekend!
The Frog
When weeks were weary we were drawn
Like vampires hiding from the dawn
To darkened haunt, back streets of town
A ‘bar’ of sorts would be the noun
And yet ,The Frog, was so much more
A meeting place like none before
Where students, randoms, lonely hearts
And working men and weekend tarts
Professionals, the middle aged
All walks of life themselves uncaged
To gather recklessly on tables
Dancing though their legs unstable
Acoustic tunes strummed through the bar
The Beatles played, we were rock stars
We swayed along as Derek played
Communal vibe took centre stage
Our faces red, our voices hoarse
Each evening took a similar course
With lots of laughter and spilled drinks
But never trouble (I don’t think)
Wherever I have since frequented
Nowhere has such mirth presented
And though most nights a drunken fog
Nostalgic, I recall The Frog
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Published by Sam Allen Creative Coach
As well as being a poet, highly-sensitive being and self-confessed Crazy Cat Lady, I am a Creative Leadership Coach, Trainer and Team Coach with considerable experience in coaching clients in the Creative, Manufacturing, and Pharmaceutical sectors.
I specialise in helping individuals and teams to work past limiting beliefs, to think outside-of-the-box and to show up as conscious, inspiring and dynamic leaders. I am passionate about helping leaders to show up authentically and I design and co-lead bespoke Conscious Leadership programmes for FMCG organisations wishing to create opportunities for their employees to shine and truly maximise their potential.
In addition, I co-facilitate Happy Teams workshops, helping remote teams to build trust and connect to their strengths, purpose and vision in playful, creative and experiential ways.
A co-active coach with PCC accreditation from the ICF, I am also Leadership Circle Profile certified and ORSC trained. I graduated from the CTI Inner Leadership programme in February 2020 and know from firsthand experience what it means to do the deep, inner work needed for personal growth. I hold a BA in French and Drama and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages.
Throughout my coaching career I have empowered individuals to write books, make life-affirming career changes, overcome anxiety and to take giant leaps towards heightened self-realisation, increased authentic leadership presence and spiritual growth. An ex-lawyer and C-suite executive client recently shared that she had “never experienced anything so powerful” and that she is now able to “trust her truth”. One global client team leader reported being “touched, motivated, encouraged and brimming with energy” and another shared that his team was able to “demonstrate their creativity and really get behind their vision”.
My personal and team coaching style is playful, intuitive, somatic and compassionate. My workshop facilitation style is dynamic, inclusive, expressive and authentic and my 20 years experience as an international school educator and team leader have contributed to my ease in leading group facilitation.
My superpower is using my incredible intuition and sensitivity to see into people and challenge them in a powerfully courageous way. A prolific poet and podcaster, I live and breathe my own creativity and in turn inspire others to do the same View all posts by Sam Allen Creative Coach
beautiful……
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Thank you Sudhir! 🙂
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Who thinks up these names !! Frog and Frigate ?! Nice to reminisce.
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I know! What a name! 🙂
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Hi Sam,
Your beautiful poem evoked memories of my drinking days and the fun I had back then. I think many of us in recovery write off these memories as an aberration brought on by alcohol use, but I need to remind myself that those moments are an important part of my life, not to be condemned, but to be cherished for their beauty–and for their innocence. Bless your teaching, brother!
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Thank you so much. Really didn’t mean to be insensitive by sharing alcohol related stuff – sorry and thanks for reacting in the way you did. They were indeed innocent days and nice memories. Thanks for connecting – you seem like a lovely person 🙂
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A fun one – it definitely evokes a bar!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Really like reading your poetry, keep it up Sam!
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Am really happy to hear this! 🙂
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