Life Chats With Friends

In today's episode, our guest is Justin Borroto. He is a Miami native who is passionate about love, spirituality, healing, justice, and yoga. He has previously worked as a high school math teacher, recruiter, and diversity, equity, and inclusion facilitator in Washington DC.  Key Quotes [7:28-7:33] God encompasses all that has been and all that will ever be. [19:20-19:25] The method you use to seek God is not as important as the sincerity and dedication you bring to the quest. [43:12-43:17] To know God is to understand that we are both everything and nothing, always learning and never truly knowing. From Justin Note: There are many schools and philosophies and definitions of God within the various Yogic and Vedic traditions. At points in the interview, I named "Yoga", "Hinduism", and "Eastern philosophies" interchangeably - it would be more precise and accurate to say "Vedic traditions" and the "Yogic philosophy and practices indigenous to what we now call India, Pakistan, and the Indus River Valley." I want to thank all of my teachers for how I've come to know God. Some things I shared were my reflections on their teachings, and some were a direct resharing of what they've taught me. God through Yoga and Vedic Tradition: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: @srisriravishankar, @artofliving (hours of videos w/ commentary and wisdom by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) Susanna Barkataki: @susannabarkataki  Swami Chidananda: @swami_chidananda God through Astrology and broader spirituality: Priya Kale: @cosmicdiaries, @planetpriya Loli Moon: @mysticmoonmedicine Chani Nicholas: @chaninicholas, @chani.app Ellen Bowles: @ellensbowles Introduction to Yoga Book: "Embrace Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice" by Susanna Barkataki Next World Tarot: Cristy Road - @croadcore I would also like to thank my mother, and the women in my family who taught me the power of a relationship with God and prayer - even when I didn't understand it. How to connect with Justin Borroto  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-borroto  Instagram: @Jbrooox

In this episode, the guest speaker is Larissa Sativa, a practitioner of traditional healing practices and ceremonies. Larissa talks about her experiences with these practices and shares insights on the importance of intention and mindfulness in one's healing journey. Section 1: Traditional Healing Practices Larissa describes how she uses stones and the presence of her ancestors to create steam and medicine for healing. She heats the stones with the help of broiler foil, creating a connection between the three elements of fire, air, and water. This steam is breathed in and helps to release knots in the body, facilitating a sense of relaxation and connection. Additionally, Larissa performs Olympic Itzhak cleansing, an energetic cleansing with plants that helps recover energy that is not useful for us. Section 2: The Ceremony The ceremony begins with breathing exercises, which Larissa emphasizes are often done without full consciousness. By focusing on the breath, Larissa helps participants become more mindful and present. Following the breathing exercises, Larissa throws water onto the heated stones, creating steam and allowing the medicine to become a part of the body. Section 3: Intention and Mindfulness Larissa emphasizes the importance of intention in the healing process, defining intention as being clear, assured, and being oneself. She notes that it is important to identify what one needs to heal and to take steps toward that healing. Larissa also encourages listeners to be mindful of their healing journeys and to find activities that can help with their thoughts. Section 4: Personal Background Larissa explains that she comes from a long line of healers and that she initially tried to avoid traditional healing practices. However, after reconnecting with her family, ancestors and the practices, she realized the importance of healing for herself and others. She notes that her mother taught her how to perform these ceremonies when she was young, but that she had to move to the city to escape them. She eventually went back to her roots and reconnected with the practices. Conclusion: The episode concludes with key quotes, including "All it takes is healing one person, and that could change the entire world" and "We look the way everybody thinks or says they are, which is not always right." Overall, the episode provides insights into traditional healing practices and the importance of intention and mindfulness in the healing process. It encourages listeners to take care of themselves and be intentional about their healing journeys. Key Quotes [13:10-13:14] All it takes is healing one person, and that could change the entire world. [18:43-18:48] We look the way everybody thinks or says they are, which is not always right. Connect with Larissa Sativa https://www.instagram.com/_mariasativa/

Jessica is a solo mom of two. She has spent the last five years redefining her life, finding passion and purpose after leaving an abusive marriage. Through years of deep inner work, self-discovery, exploration, and adventure; she has been able to build a life full of joy and authenticity. We share similar backgrounds, and we dive into our experiences and talk through the process of healing and finding your light again after abuse. Link to the abuse hotline and resource: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb/programs/family-violence-prevention-services/programs/ndvh Social Links: You can connect with Jess here: https://instagram.com/jchandrasekharan?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Email: jessica.owings@gmail.com You can reach Antonio: Instagram: @twaniefitness Email: Antonio.k.stephens@gmail.com

So much fun having Dale Fetterman and Jess Vaughn back to celebrate the one-year inception and anniversary of Life Chats With Friends. A little over a year ago, sitting in a living room in Vail, Colorado, this show was born. Jess facilities a live tarot card reading for Dale, Antonio and herself. Jess talks about the history of tarot cards, and shares how they can be used as a self-reflection tool. They all create the space to reflect and share commitments to their development looking ahead. They also share insights and thoughts for consideration as you navigate 2023. Mentioned in the episode: Sadhduru: https://isha.sadhguru.org/us/en/wisdom BiddyTarot: https://www.biddytarot.com/ You can find them on all platforms -- Antonio -- Instagram: @TwanieFitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-stephens-4450b6a1/ Dale -- Instagram: @FettermanDale Website: dalefettermanfitness.com Jess -- Instagram: @Fierce_phoenix_fitness Thank you for tuning into this session! If you enjoyed, be sure to tell a friends and or share this. Subscribe so you know when our next episode goes live. Peace and love, Antonio & TWANIE FITNESS!

Back again on air with Greggory Marcus and Stephen Zepecki for a year-end round-up and check-in. We self-reflect and comment on current events and issues ranging from community, sexual health, the James Webb telescope and our recent Friendsgiving dinner. Many thanks as always for listening. Greg, Steve and I will look to come together more frequently to do episodes like this. Let us know if there's anything specific you'd like us to cover. You can reach me at Antonio.k.stephens@gmail.com. Likewise, I welcome any feedback. Much love, Antonio

What is a soulmate or a true friend and what purpose do they serve in our lives? Such a beautiful conversation. This week I was joined by a friend of 10 years and counting to discuss friendships and soulmates. Goldie Goldschmidt is an artist, philosopher of thought, dancer, teacher, and overall explorer of this world. When I think about friendships and soulmates Goldie brings that to life for me and I hope through this conversation, she/we'll be able to do the same for you. As always, thanks for listening. Much love, Antonio & Goldie

What kind of system (society) are we living in and are you aware of it? As we continue to collectively engage in moments and lead lives that bring about the change we want to see in our world, understanding how it all works is a great first step. There are many benefits of being part of a system like ours (here in the U.S.), but every system has its flaws and loopholes that inevitably end up excluding people or exploiting them for personal power and gain. As sad as it is, this is just a part of our human experience. The good news is that over time and through inspired action, there's a lot we can do as individuals to build a more just and equitable future for those to come behind us. It was such a pleasure getting to tackle some of our biggest issues of today, with Laman Ben-Trahoret (Laman Lift), a wellness coach and entrepreneur from Arlington, VA and Charles Iantorno a third-year law student at the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. As always, thanks for taking the time to tune in. Always welcome any feedback on how we can continue to grow and refine the show. You can reach me at: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Much love, Antonio

Took a break from this project as I went through an intense period of change, transformation and #selfdiscovery. I'm excited to be back and to have had the opportunity to sit down with John Kim (They/Them), a Health and Mindfulness Coach, to dive deep into the experience of self-discovery. We define what self-discovery means, what the process looks like, tangible practices, highlights on challenges you might encounter and advice for anyone that may be feeling stuck on their journey. As always, welcome any feedback as we continue to grow the show. You can reach me at: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Thanks and hope you're keeping well. A

Many of us often stumble across questions and thoughts that deal with our life's purpose and what we were meant to do with our time here. Finding your groove and aligning #passion and #purpose can be daunting and can come with many challenges. Couldn't think of anyone better to tackle this topic with than Natasha Filipov, Former #NFL Cheerleader and Founder of This Blonde Means Business. We dive into what it means to find your groove and how it feels once you're there; how to figure out what drives and motivates you and how to identify and land on your purpose in life. Thanks for your continued support, we really appreciate it. As always, I welcome any feedback you may have. Also, welcome any topics you would like to have considered for us to cover. To learn more about Natasha, you can visit her website at: https://www.thisblondemeansbusiness.com/ . You can also find her across all social platforms @thisblondemeansbusiness and @natasha_filipov. You can find me on Instagram @TwanieFitness and @AntonioStephens on all other platforms. Thanks again. Much love, Antonio

What does it mean to be unapologetic? This has been one of my favorite discussions so far. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Greggory Marcus, Ballroom Legend and Healthcare Consultant and Stephen Zepecki, Educator and Non-Profit Consultant to dive deep into this topic. I have seen and have experienced these two beams of light live and carry out their truest and most authentic lives. They share so many insights, tips and tools you can leverage to get more comfortable in your own skin, to figure out what self-discovery looks like for you and how to be accountable for who you are without fear or regret. Thanks again for being part of this incredible journey. It may take me a while to push these episodes but know that I'm out making the right connections so I can bring you the best alchemist and insights possible. As always, welcome any feedback you may have as I continue to improve the quality of the show. You can reach me at: Antonio.k.Stephens@gmail.com or on Instagram @TwanieFitness.

In honor of Pride, I'm so excited to open up, share more and let you into my lived experience as a Queer Black man – a part of my identity that has brought me great shame for years that I'm finally beginning to relinquish and embrace as I unfold. A few years ago, Laman Ben-Trahoret and I met in Washington D.C. and we bonded over our love for health and wellness. Over the course of the last year, our friendship has deepened the more we connected over our shared experience as Black Queer men sitting at the intersection of many dimensions of diversity. I am proud and honored to have shared this space and have this conversion with Laman. We dive into things like our upbringing and the environment and experiences that have shaped us. We discuss what it means to truly express as Black queer men – the work it takes to get to this point and important issues and nuances of the collective Black queer experience that can help to make stronger allies for us and our community. We engage in this courageous conversation with the hope that other young Black queer men know that they are seen, heard and valued. And, we hope that they will take the time and space to do the work (self-healing) so they can live a life that truly shines from the inside out. To learn more about Laman, you can mind him on: Instagram: @LiveLaman LinkedIn: @ Laman Ben-Trahoret Website: https://www.livelaman.com/ To learn more about me, you can find me at: Instagram: @Twaniefitness LinkedIn: @ Antonio Stephens Contact: Antonio.K.Sephens@gmail.com As always, thank you for listening. I always welcome feedback as I'm working to further refine the format and quality of the show. With Love and Gratitude, Antonio

Took a short break from this project to practice exactly this, while I navigated a challenging professional development experience and wanted to bring you all behind that. I'm super excited to have Caren Plummer on the show to share some real-life examples and stories of what self-love looks like. From developing habits to maintaining them and how to role model those behaviors for others. You should walk away with practical insights you can begin to apply today. Also, here's the life reflection wheel Caren mentioned if you'd like to try that exercise. For more information on Caren, you can find her at: Website: cpyoga.fitness IG: @care_plummer // @cpyoga.fitness You can find me at: Insta: Twanie Fitness LinkedIn: @Antonio Stephens Enjoy the episode. With love & gratitude, Antonio

Adele Chee and I, tackle the importance of maintaining your social well-being in today's world for the third part of our 5 part series where we explore 7 dimensions of our wellbeing. Positive social habits can help you build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically. We share some good strategies to help build your social wellness and foster supportive social networks for yourself. Thanks for listening and as always, welcome any feedback you may have on the show. More about Adele -- You can find her on LinkedIn: @Adele Chee Website: www.adelechee.com Email: Hello@adele.com More about me --You can find me on LinkedIn: @Antonio Stephens Instagram: @TwanieFitness Email: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Subscribe if you liked the show and be sure to tell a friend. Thanks, y'all. Peace and love! Antonio

This week, I picked up the conversation exploring 7 dimensions of our well-being with Adele Chee, a Career Transition Coach and Mentor, discussing and connecting the importance of our Physical Wellness to all the other dimensions of our well-being. We share some practical tips and insights that can help you gain control and unlock this dimension. Thanks for listening and as always, welcome any feedback you may have on the show. More about Adele -- You can find her on LinkedIn: @Adele Chee Website: www.adelechee.com Email: Hello@adele.com More about me -- You can find me on LinkedIn: @Antonio Stephens Instagram: @TwanieFitness Email: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Subscribe if you liked the show and be sure to tell a friend. Thanks, y'all. Peace and love! Antonio

Such a blast finally getting to have and speak with Adele Chee, a Career Transition Coach and Mentor from the UK, on Life Chats with Friends. Over the course of the next 4 weeks, we'll dive in and explore 7 dimensions of our wellbeing. For each dimension, we'll define them, share our commitment to each for 2022 and share practical tips and insights that can help you live a more balanced and healthy lifestyle with each dimension in mind. This week, our first dimension in focus is Emotional and Mental Wellness. This is such an important topic, especially in today's climate. We hope you take something away from what we have to share and hope you enjoy the discussion. Thanks for listening and as always, welcome any feedback you may have on the show. More about Adele -- You can find her on LinkedIn: @Adele Chee Website: www.adelechee.com Email: Hello@adele.com More about me -- You can find me on LinkedIn: @Antonio Stephens Instagram: @TwanieFitness Email: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Subscribe if you liked the show and be sure to tell a friend. Thanks, y'all. Peace and love! Antonio

This is part 2. of a conversation I had last week with Jess Falborn, a Women's Physique athlete. Last week, we explored the mindset of an athlete. This week, we'll share tips and insights on how you can develop healthy and sustainable habits and discipline. We dive into things such the need for community in whatever it is that you're pursuing and how you go about finding that. We talk about life setbacks and how you can look at those instances as a gift and the need for everyone to have the opportunity to push to their limit at least once in their life to help them better understand what it means to have and find balance. I hope you enjoy the second half of our conversation. To learn more about Jess you can find her at: Insta: @Jfalborn Website: Boss-building.com To learn more about me, you can find me on instagram at @Twaniefitness. Thanks for listening, as always welcome any feedback you may have as i continue to grow the show. Best, A

Jess Falborn, Fitness Entrepreneur and Women's Physique athlete, joins me for a conversation where we explore the mindset of an athlete. We dive into her career change, discuss some of the qualities you develop through athletics and explore some of the challenges, blind spots and what you learn about yourself being a solo competitor. You can learn more about Jess and can follow her at: Website: Boss-building.com Instagram: Jfalborn You can learn more about me: Instagram: Twaniefitness LinkedIn: Antonio Stephens Thanks for taking the time to listen to this episode. Always open to feedback! If you found value in and enjoyed the segment, please share with a friend. Stay tuned for part 2, next week. Peace and love, Antonio

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Chis Melancon, my coach and the person that's been holding me accountable to all my health and wellness goals this year. In this episode we discuss and dive into what it means to live your life through structure and how your physical and mental health and wellbeing sits at the heart of that. To learn more about Chris and his work, you can find him at: Instagram: @Christopher_Melancon Website: Teamlegacypro.com You can find me on: Instagram: @TwanieFitness Youtube: @TwanieFitness LinkedIn: @Antonio Stephens Thank you for listening. Welcome any feedback you may have as i build this show. You can email me at: Antonio.K.Stephens@gmail.com Peace and love, Antonio

Welcome to the very first episode of Life Chats With Friends! In this episode Antonio sit's down with two of his close friends in the fitness industry - Dale Fetterman and Jess Vaughan. They discuss and dive into what it means to approach health and wellness holistically and share some practical tips and insights that can help you find and create the balance you need in your life to meet your daily goals in a sustainable and meaningful way. You can find them on all platforms -- Antonio -- Instagram: @TwanieFitness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-stephens-4450b6a1/ Dale -- Instagram: @FettermanDale Website: dalefettermanfitness.com Jess -- Instagram: @Fierce_phoenix_fitness Thank you for tuning into this session! If you enjoyed, be sure to tell a friends and or share this. Subscribe so you know when our next episode goes live. Peace and love, Antonio & TWANIE FITNESS!