Meet Don Alexander

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Don Alexander. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Don, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

This is an easy answer for me. As a Military Brat, the term resilience has always been a constant companion throughout my life. My childhood was marked by frequent relocations, and if I wasn’t moving, friends were leaving. Such was the life I was born into on Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on March 17th, 1985, to an Army Officer Black-American Father and a Former Military Brat Puerto Rican Mother. Adding to that, I spent most of my childhood and high school years on various Army Bases in Germany.

Through it all, despite my parents separating when I was five and attending six different middle schools in locations ranging from Arizona, California, Wisconsin, and back to Germany, I learned the true value of the word resilience when my father introduced me to the great sport of wrestling. There, as I took my lumps and experienced my fair share of losses, I kept getting up, facing every challenge head-on, and ultimately concluded my Junior and Senior years as a 2-time undefeated Champion.

Now, fast-forward to my adulthood, where I am currently applying everything I’ve learned from my past and using it to focus on my writing career. I can honestly tell you that “resilience” played a huge role in my successes and my mental well-being. Though it hasn’t been easy, life has sure been quite an interesting ride.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My journey as a writer has been shaped by a unique blend of resilience and cultural richness, rooted in my proud background as the son of a 30-year US Army veteran and the grandson of a World War II veteran on my father’s side, and a Vietnam War veteran on my mother’s. Growing up on military bases globally, including the renowned Heidelberg American High School in Germany, has endowed my work with a diverse and global perspective.

As a five-time scholar-athlete on a D-1 Wrestling Team, I honed my skills at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, majoring in communications with a focus on Public Relations and minoring in sociology. My journey extended to Stuttgart, Germany, where I played semi-pro football, coached wrestling, and served as a civilian marketing specialist for the Armed Forces. However, my true passion led me to Los Angeles, where I boldly pursued a career in screenwriting and became a newly published author.

My debut novel, “Shackles of a Freeman,” is a compelling exploration of the Anti-Slavery movement of the 1850s, narrating the remarkable journey of Lewis Leary, a free Black man who bravely fought against slavery and played a pivotal role in the Harpers Ferry raid. This book, resonating with readers from various backgrounds, delves into themes of resilience, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

Currently, I am fully immersed in the publication of my second book, “The Hellfighter’s Son.” This upcoming novel promises to deliver a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of World War II, following the story of a Black American medic tasked with protecting a Jewish child in Nazi-occupied France during the historic D-Day invasion. With the manuscript in its final editing stages, “The Hellfighter’s Son” is poised to captivate readers with its unique perspective and engaging storyline.

My work not only highlights my literary prowess but also reflects my commitment to sharing impactful stories that transcend cultural boundaries. Drawing inspiration from my unique heritage, I strive to create narratives that resonate authentically with readers. I invite you to keep an eye on my journey as I continue to shape the literary landscape with compelling narratives and a unique perspective.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. The Art of Resilience: Embracing every challenge, taking accountability, and learning from each mistake are keys to inching closer to your goals and perceived successes, whether financial or spiritual.

2. A Heightened Sense of Appreciation: Every day I wake up, I maintain a certain level of appreciation. It has humbled and balanced me, limiting my ego and allowing a focus on the bigger picture. I count every small victory and acknowledge every perceived mishap, big or small, keeping me present and aware of a higher power.

3. Showing Up: It may sound cliché, but the truth is, in regard to “you,” your goals and aspirations, just showing up is half the battle.

My advice to those who are early in their journey is to have unwavering faith that you can always improve in your abilities, before anyone can believe in your dreams and goals – you have to believe in them yourself. Though it is never easy, the glory comes from the challenge of it being difficult.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My father, whom I lost to cancer in October 2021, played a pivotal role in shaping my life. A retired Lieutenant Colonel with 30 years in the Army, he was the most positive influence I’ve ever known. He encouraged me to wrestle, insisting that dedicating myself to the sport would make me a better person—and he was absolutely right. Wrestling not only brought us closer during my adolescence but also had a lasting impact into my adulthood, as he became the biggest fan of my writing endeavors.

Watching him battle cancer for nine years, diagnosed after his last deployment to Iraq in 2012, he made it a point never to let me see him down. It’s a lesson I carry with me and hope to pass on to my future children: a smile can be the most powerful thing in times of uncertainty. My father taught me invaluable lessons about life and how to carry myself—head up, eyes forward, and dignified.

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