Meet Antonio Stephens | Workplace Culture & Community Wellbeing Leader

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

Hi Antonio, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and lived there until I was nine. But it wasn’t until I returned as an adult that I reconnected with the joy, rhythm, and resilience that shaped me. The music, the food, the spirit of the people — it reminded me of who I was before the world told me to be someone else.

After moving to the U.S., I faced a different reality. As a queer child in an abusive home, I learned to survive by staying small. I became a master of reading energy, of knowing when to hide and how to perform. That survival mode helped me achieve, but it disconnected me from myself.

My healing began through wellness, but the real transformation came when I stopped trying to control everything and started listening to my body, my spirit, and my truth. That’s when things shifted.

I created Life Chats With Friends Podcast and Sip & Chat as a response to what I needed but didn’t have growing up… spaces where people can feel safe, seen, and supported. These aren’t just projects. They’re an invitation to come home to yourself.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I didn’t start with a business plan. I started with a need. I was on a personal journey of healing, rooted in my pursuit of wellness through professional bodybuilding. I thought that if I could master my body, I could master my life. But over time, I realized that what I was truly craving wasn’t discipline or structure. It was space. The kind of space where I could finally let go of performing and just be.

That realization led me to create Life Chats With Friends, a podcast that gave me the freedom to explore identity, healing, and purpose through real conversations. That platform opened up a new path. One where my own story made space for others to share theirs.

Eventually, I felt called to bring that same energy into the real world. That’s how Sip & Chat was born. What started as a podcast grew into an immersive wellness experience where people could reflect, connect, and feel seen. I didn’t build a brand first. I followed the vision. The business followed me.

Risk isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s in the quiet decisions. Like speaking up when it feels easier to stay quiet, or questioning what you’ve outgrown even if it still works on the surface.

For me, the biggest risks haven’t been about money or titles. They’ve been about learning to trust myself in moments of uncertainty. Staying present with the discomfort of not knowing, while still moving toward what feels more honest.

I’m still (and always) in that process. But each time I’ve leaned into what feels true, even when it’s unclear where it’s all headed, I’ve gained more clarity and a stronger sense of direction.

I want to build a body of work that helps people come home to themselves. I’m not chasing fame. I’m building something rooted. Something that reflects truth, connection, and care.

Whether I’m leading a Sip & Chat gathering, hosting the podcast, speaking, writing, or creating new offerings, I want every experience to feel like a mirror. A reflection of who someone truly is beneath the noise. If at the end of it all, someone says, “he made it feel safe to be human,” then I’ll know I lived my purpose.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit LA, we’d keep it real and rooted in the full LA experience. We’d hike Runyon Canyon or explore the hills in nearby neighborhoods, then spend time at the beach to slow down and reset. We’d stop by The Grove for a little window shopping, grab a bite at Musso & Frank Grill or Northern Cafe & Chinese Dumpling House, and wander the Melrose Farmers Market on Sunday. At some point, we’d dance at Sunday Sessions or find a local sound bath or immersive wellness experience to ground ourselves. We’d explore Pan Pacific Park, drive the Pacific Coast Highway with the windows down, and try a bacon-wrapped hot dog from a street vendor just because. We’d check out Santee Alley for the chaos and color, then close it out with KBBQ in Koreatown. I still feel like a tourist in this city, constantly exploring and learning all the layers LA has to offer. I’d want them to feel every one.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This interview is dedicated to my mother, Rose, whose strength, sacrifices, and love gave me the foundation to become who I am. Everything I create is, in some way, a tribute to the resilience she modeled and the dreams she made possible.

Website: https://www.sipandchat.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipandchat_la/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-stephens-4450b6a1

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/7jZjgJfY1OtpVoH3397bJB
https://www.lifechatswithfriends.com/
https://www.instagram.com/antoniostephenss/

Image Credits
Hector Mejia