Full Transcript for Healing through creativity with Stepha Stock

photoshopping photos to look really sick for my space. 00:04:46.720 --> 00:05:07.839 Like I look back and I have to dig them out of the archives because I look back now and I'm like, oh my god, but you know, I was always doing something with photos, and yeah, so at 19 I um bought myself a DSLR and then I just taught myself, so I just took millions of shit photos, and then eventually, like that's been a whole journey to be in business. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:27.439 But the art of there's no way to like pause time, and I think there can be grief in moments passing because you like can't ever get back to them, and photos are an access point to that, and I think that I think photos and videos are second to the most important thing is to be able to be present in the moment. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:47.600 But having photos and videos to document our lives, I think is really special, and I think there's a beauty to that, I think there's a rawness to that, which like yeah, like my bio, I think there's that, you know, editorial front cover photo moment, but then there's so much magic in like the mundane in the like moments in between. 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:51.680 So that's why I love that. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:52.480 I love that. 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:56.720 I wrote so many notes as you're talking, so now I'm like, which one am I gonna go with? 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:58.000 Yeah, I love it. 00:05:58.959 --> 00:06:12.160 Self-taught, because I guess sometimes when we're talking about people's wild potential, they're like, oh, like I don't have the money to do the course, or I'm not good enough to start that, or I'm, you know, all the stories that we tell ourselves. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:16.000 What was that sort of journey of being self-taught like for you? 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:17.680 Like how was it YouTube? 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:19.439 Was it just doing it? 00:06:19.680 --> 00:06:20.480 What was it? 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:22.480 I I was just doing it. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:23.759 It was like, yeah, cool. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:33.040 I um, you know, with cameras you can have all sorts of different settings and different settings sort of have different variations of how manual all the settings are. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:36.720 So some of it is like full auto, and then there's yeah, different settings. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:46.959 But the goal is as a photographer to be shooting in manual mode, and that means adjusting like multiple different settings to get the right lighting, you know, for yeah, for the photo. 00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:53.199 And so I pretty much just like was playing with the settings and it was like, nah, that's shit, that's shit, that's it, that's shit. 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.639 Oh, that's a bit better. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:55.920 Oh, what did I do there? 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:59.279 Okay, let's keep following like what made it a bit a bit better. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:04.240 So it was a lot of that, a lot of like experimentation, a lot of doing, doing, doing, doing. 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:19.120 And I I I think that's such an important thing because there's one part of me that it's like sometimes I think, you know, doing the course or getting the qualification, and obviously for certain things you have to be qualified, but I think sometimes doing that can be really powerful and empowering. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:32.720 But you know, something like photography, I realized because I was going to do a course and I was feeling like, oh, I feel like I sort of have to, I feel like our like my generation, I'm a 2008 school lever. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:38.480 Like I feel like it was a bit, you know, go to university, get a degree, get a qualification. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:43.120 And so when I was contemplating doing photography, I had this like, do I do a course? 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:47.759 But then I was like, no one's gonna be looking at the certificate, people are gonna be looking at my portfolio. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:51.279 So learn how to take photos. 00:07:51.600 --> 00:08:12.000 And I think sometimes I found in my experience it's helpful to learn from other people for sure, but sometimes there's a real beauty in teaching yourself and like finding your own way and not being clouded by people's like rules or um this is how you should do it. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:20.240 Because so much art and so much magic that happens is through the rule breaking and like yeah, not following, you know, what should be done, you know. 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:26.879 So I think there's power in that too, when you kind of don't know anything about anything and you're just like having fun and experimenting. 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:27.920 I love that. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:43.840 And I love that, yeah, like the you don't have to fit a certain mold, and that got probably going and doing a course was probably gonna put you into a mold as well, and you would become this, you know, some form of photographer that I don't know, they wanted you to be or something. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:51.600 Like you still you still might have had, you know, some wriggle room for self-expression and everything like that, and you might have still got there, but probably on a very different pathway as well. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:08:52.559 100%. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:59.440 And I I I did a DJ course a few years ago, which's so fun, and I love that. 00:08:59.759 --> 00:09:02.559 Um and love that like a little side quest. 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:11.840 And well, I did sort of two courses, but it's just been interesting in like I remember before I did any courses, I was just experimenting at home with like tiny little mini decks. 00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:23.840 And then yeah, it's funny, like the different people's different ways of DJing and like how they do things and learn in so many different ways from people because I've had so many different trainers in like one of the courses I was doing.

00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:31.440 I was fascinating to like, you know, someone would do it completely differently, and it's like, oh, which who should I be listening to, or like which way works for me? 00:09:31.519 --> 00:09:46.000 And it's like with that, I've been like, that is another thing of like self-experimentation and discovery and like what works for you, and also being unafraid to go, you know what, yeah, I'm gonna, I'm gonna go against the rules and do something, you know, different to what you should do. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:47.120 Yeah, I love that. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:58.159 And I um as you were talking then, I think about even in mental health work, like we I often say to people is here's how you might do it, but you need to find a way that feels comfortable for you. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:09:59.600 Like, what is that sentence? 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:04.080 Like, this is what the training says, or this is what the textbook says, but what's your language? 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.360 How does that work for you? 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:05.600 Yeah. 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:14.879 And I think that's so important, and I think that's the same sort of thing as what you're talking about with the DJ course, is that someone can show you something, and then all of a sudden you see a different one. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:22.879 So then it's like, well, someone must be right or wrong, I think is our immediate response instead of oh, we all have a different way, and having a different way is okay. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:28.559 Yeah, and you can still get to the same place or point in your own way. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:39.120 And I think it's really meaningful too when you can take things on yourself, like find your way of expressing or doing things that's like authentic to you. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.080 Powerful. 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:41.440 Powerful. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:44.399 So, a side question can you remember? 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:46.159 And this is a wild card question. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:51.440 Can you remember uploading your albums to Facebook from your digital camera? 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:59.519 And can you remember any or your top outlandish album name that you would have had on a Facebook album? 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:01.120 Oh my god. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:04.399 Oh, like just so many. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:12.559 I did a lot of like oh eight, like and I'm like oh H and then like the number for like oh seven, love eight, yes. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:16.559 Yes, I think oh eight might have been actually OH A T E. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:22.240 Oh, of course, and then like the Love Heart, like the child with the three. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:24.159 Like, that's life, baby. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:31.519 I don't know, like there's there'll be so many cringe ones because I definitely loved like I loved doing like a 200 photo dump. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:32.639 Oh, of course. 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.360 Absolutely. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:38.240 Crazy, like crazy to not even really be culling anything. 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:41.919 You're just like, hey, every photo I took that night, bing onto the internet. 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:42.159 No. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.679 Everyone can see that. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:43.840 Yeah. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.480 Everyone. 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:45.039 Yeah. 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:47.440 I was a bit of a Tumblr girl too for a while. 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:51.279 So I feel like, yeah, I definitely, definitely was naming. 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:53.039 Oh, I'm gonna have to think about that. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.360 That's a good question. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:58.320 I mean, probably not something that you're expecting to be asked. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:11:59.200 No, I love it though. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:02.000 It's a nice little uh spicy one. 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:11.440 Um, so you sort of touched on this just then, or not just then, as you were talking before, but in your bio, it speaks to capturing the moments and the moments in between. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:16.000 And again, you've already sort of touched on it, but I just I want to know about that. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:20.559 Like that, I think that sentence alone sounds really special to me. 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.480 Like it does something to my inside. 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:25.279 It feels really nice and warm. 00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:28.480 What does that mean for you and and how do you do it, I guess? 00:12:28.720 --> 00:12:37.519 Yeah, I think you know, we have ideas, so say, like in a photo shoot, and people have photo shoots for different reasons, but it's like there'll be a goal. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:50.240 It's like I want to shoot a book cover, I want to shoot a website or or a headshot for something, or I want to have a family port for it, or like we have an idea of what we want that perfect photo to look like. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:54.720 And I think we we I I feel like we absolutely do that in my work with people. 00:12:54.799 --> 00:13:01.840 We absolutely get these like the moments, the magazine covers, the album covers, like the bangers. 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:41.279 But then, and you plan for that, you plan for that, you come up with a brief and like depending on what the type of shoot is, but you have like you have the structure for the shoot, you have the time, location, intention, and you nail the bangers, but then I just think like I'm fascinated by people, I'm fascinated by life and the beauty of it and the richness and like profound moments that exist between people in like the you know, when you're you're at a dinner and like people are erupting in laughter, and you get to take a moment because you're not quite there in like the peak laughter, and you get to take a moment and look around, and everyone's laughing, and their heads are tipping back, they're crying, and this like this unbridled expression of emotion.

00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:52.159 And I think there's so much that happens like that in shoots, and in life, like that's just happening in life, but there's an opportunity for me to document that, or like you plan for shoots, right? 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:55.200 But then it's like you don't know, you can't overplan it. 00:13:55.279 --> 00:14:12.480 You've got to leave room for the magic, the magic of creativity and the magic of being delighted by life, and it's like so many shoots, it'll be like, you know, the the lights reflecting off this car window that's creating this beautiful glow, and it's like so many magic things like that that are that feel like the moments in between. 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:21.840 And I think on on a people's perspective too, I think, you know, I when I get group photos or people in group photos together, I'm like, okay, now everyone laugh together, look at look at each other and laugh. 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:27.600 Oh, amount of times I say that, and like everyone at first is like, oh, you know, that feels a bit cringy. 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:46.879 But then what happens is they have the laughter, and then they they have that like sort of awkward, like, okay, and then they get into the real laughter, and then just as they think I'm finished taking the photos, and they're like, they soften into this, like they're not being watched anymore, and it's not performative, like it's really just human, and then like that's the moment in between. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.600 Yeah. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:15:01.840 And you know, the smiling, everyone looking at the camera, smiling photo is a banger, but I think oftentimes there's like such a connection to those photos where it's like people looking at each other and you're you're capturing these glimpses of life, yeah. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:06.879 Beautiful, and I feel so honored that I've been able to experience that with you as well. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:11.200 Like it's I feel like it's it is something else. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:31.840 Like for me, like going into a photo shoot, particularly the last one, I don't know, it'd been a while, but it like it, I was like, oh, this feels a bit awkward, like and it is really like that remove the pressure, like why like if if I'm not comfortable doing that, then why am I putting on this performative mask thing to do something that I think I should be doing? 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:44.720 If that's not who I am and it's not comfortable for me, then if I can relax into it, as you said, then that's when you get the moment and it feels so much more authentic from my perspective, being the one being photographed. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.519 Photographed, I think is the word I'm trying to say. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.799 I do that so often. 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:55.759 I think it's like what you said before in the mental health work about you know, encouraging people to find their own ways of doing it. 00:15:55.840 --> 00:15:57.679 It's like that's the same thing for me every shoot. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:07.440 It's like I give direction and I I've absolutely got my clients and I hold that like parity and that sort of leadership direction in a shoot, but it's like always make it your own. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:15.120 And it and everybody is different and different things feel comfy or not comfy, and it's like anything that I suggest you do, make it your own. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:17.039 Like this gets to be your experience too. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:33.759 And I'm I'm so about I think you know, I think if you're having fun and feeling comfy, that's gonna show in the photos 100% like and that's gonna trump, you know, an overposed, like frozen, like uncomfy, lifeless kind of yeah. 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:36.720 Yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:43.600 So photography is obviously the big passion, that's where it everything is sort of sparked, that's what was spoken about. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:51.200 But then obviously in your bio, you're talking about creative director, assigned model, baby DJ, love the baby component. 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:53.279 Um, when does the baby component? 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:57.919 I don't know, because I've been I've I learned like three years ago. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:17:10.880 So um potentially not baby anymore, but I still feel like such a baby because it's just oh god, it's been such a beautiful challenge to like not be like photography now. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:14.160 It's like I can pick up the camera and I can get instant results. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:16.559 I can take photos of anything, I know how to do it. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:21.279 Like it's oh god, and God, I think what a gift, because that's taken so many hours to get to this point. 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:27.039 But it's like DJing, it's like I picked it up immediately, being like, why aren't I pumping out like a tomorrow land set? 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:31.599 Like just like that, and and getting so frustrated that like I don't know how to do it. 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:39.920 So yeah, I I think it's a bit of um I need to drop the baby and also like encourage myself to like go, yay, you are a DJ. 00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:42.480 Oh look, I felt the hesitation even saying that. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.119 Yeah. 00:17:43.519 --> 00:17:44.960 Yeah, but interesting, right? 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.720 Like we we sort of, you know, I've only been doing this for a short time, like I'm only new to it. 00:17:48.799 --> 00:18:02.480 I'm only like we're immediately, I guess, putting ourselves or putting a ceiling to the limit we can go to, but also potentially trying to make excuses as well for something that a bit of self necessarily need to self-preservation. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:02.880 Yeah. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:13.920 It's like if I say I'm a baby DJ, like then I'm claiming that I'm a rookie or maybe not as like if I'm a bit shit, like it's because I'm a

baby DJ, you know, like yeah, interesting. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.480 Interesting. 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.559 It is interesting. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.440 It is interesting. 00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:20.960 So, you know, maybe maybe ponder that, maybe ponder when the baby drops. 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:21.680 Yep, yeah. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:24.000 Look at me setting homework during my podcast. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:25.839 I love it. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.839 So sorry. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:33.759 So anyway, like you're now this like have always been, but like you're now this like big package deal, right? 00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:40.079 There's so many things in your toolkit and things that you're doing and putting yourself out there in different ways. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.039 I guess how did this all sort of come about? 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:57.599 So, again, the the modeling, being a speaker, the content creation, photography, like when we're talking about your wild potential and what drives you to do things and often scary things or trying new things and following your passions. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:01.920 I don't know what the question is there, but yeah, I I feel like I've got something to say. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:06.480 Uh I think it all feeds into each other. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:12.240 And I think it's I have always been like a very curious person. 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:15.200 It's like I want to know how everything works. 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:20.880 I think I said to Mum one day, I want to go into every home in the world and see what it looks like. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:32.319 Like, but I I've always been, I think having dynamism in my work and in my days and in my life is important and it it's very enriching for me. 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:41.359 Maybe it could be, I who knows if I've got undiagnosed things going on, but I've just I've always been multi-passionate and like not set into one thing. 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:45.920 I studied paramedics for a bit and I was really looking forward to doing that. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:52.319 And the only reason why I'm not is like just the emotional trauma and the toll it takes to do that job. 00:19:52.480 --> 00:20:01.680 But the medical side and the work itself, like it's it's a gritty job, but I I loved it, and I think there's something in that, like there's different things every day, you don't know what you're gonna get. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:09.680 And I think I love having that like that buffet of fun in my life now, and you know, I think it's cool. 00:20:09.839 --> 00:20:14.559 Like I've always loved being on camera, and sometimes it's a that's a different take for a photographer. 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:18.559 I love being on camera, so I've live loved pursuing the modeling thing. 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:25.440 I do my own self-portraits, and it's like that's also great for me when I have modeled for other brands or had other shoots with other photographers. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:34.960 It's like, oh, I get to have the experience that my clients do, and I get every shoot gives back to me as a model, gives back to my work as a photographer. 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.279 Yeah. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:46.400 Um I started, I actually wasn't set out to be a photographer either because I had sort of put the camera down for a bit and I said to myself, I'm never ever going to take photos again. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.119 What a joke. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:50.720 Um, I think the camera and me are like attached in this lifetime. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:56.720 But I um, you know, I was originally going to start all of this out as a blog. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:01.839 And so then I created Instagram and Instagram Need Photos, which brought me back to the camera. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:15.119 But then being on Instagram, I then was, you know, talking to the camera and on my stories, like waffling on and sharing my life and speaking up about things and like offering my voice and my take on things to the world. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:31.119 And then I feel like that led to people inviting me on the podcast or to speak at events, and yeah, it's just been like a beautiful, like, oh, I can't think of the word, not having a great brain articulate day, but like the yeah, just like an ecosystem of like one thing we have. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.279 Yeah, yeah. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.559 Yeah, great. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:38.880 And so then uh this is me now circling around everywhere, so I apologise. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:45.119 But how do we go from because I I know that you had a career before photography. 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:58.720 And so that leap from then photography from career to photography to own business to now being this multifaceted sort of uh portfolio type again, word for me. 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.599 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.720 I get you. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.480 What's what's that journey like? 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.319 Um yeah. 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:08.960 And what what what was the the spark to do that maybe? 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.839 Yeah. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:15.599 I I was working at one of the big four banks and I was in like I was in a branch. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:17.599 I was doing a slog of a job there. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:21.839 I was really unhappy and I had no energy or zest for life. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:26.640 I was like, it was getting to the point where I was like, I just need to quit almost without getting another job. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.400 Anyway, managed to get another job. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:32.799 I took a pay cut and this this was a hospitality finance company. 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:35.119 Um, and slightly different role. 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:43.839 I took a pay cut, I was like entry level, but I was so happy, like a weight had been lifted, much, much, much, much better environment. 00:22:44.000 -->

00:22:46.640 Like just oh, like the exhale. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:56.000 And it was in that season when I was there, I then had this energy to like do shit outside of work and not just survive. 00:22:56.079 --> 00:23:03.519 And I think so many people, like who hasn't been in a job where you're just like like clawing yourself through to the next day. 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:06.400 And so when I was at that job, I then picked up the camera. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:18.319 I started going out at night and doing like landscape photos and then really sharing, like on Instagram, and then a few people like, hey, my friend needs a photo, needs some photos taken, and then it just kind of one thing led to another. 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:23.119 But it was the end, start of 2017, when I got a new camera. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:35.519 Uh, and then at the end of that year, I was invited to do a multi-artist exhibition through raw artists in Brisbane, which felt very, very special. 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:38.720 Um, and then I got to exhibit my landscape. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:57.359 I need to pull them out of the archives, they're special photos, and even lately I've been like, I should actually do some of that again because it's just it was so it was so meditative after work and just like you know, long exposure, you have the shutter open for it might be 30 seconds, it might be a couple minutes, and you're just there present watching the city, the world go by. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:07.279 But it was at the end of 2017, I started getting a few more jobs, but I sort of thought like I'll just build a full-time business while I work full-time, like that'll just make sense. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:13.839 And then it was the start of 2018, I was I was getting a bit busier, but it wasn't like full-time level. 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.000 It couldn't be because I didn't have an extra time. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.359 You didn't have full-time. 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:21.440 Um, but I had this like one day just washed over me. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:28.640 I was like, oh, I need to quit and just take a leap and do this full-time, which is like I look back now and go, that's crazy. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:32.880 And I I I've been with my husband for 13 years. 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:43.680 And back then, I yeah, I remember saying to him, actually, we saw my grandparents and I said to them, Oh, like I've just had this like weird actually, no, I said I know I said it to Tom first. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:47.359 I was like, I've got this weird like nudge to like quit my job and like go all in on this. 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:52.799 And I was like, Tom's gonna just like level me back down to earth, you know, maybe wait a bit and we'll do a bit more work on it. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:56.319 And it was like, yeah, I think that I think that's the right idea. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:25:01.279 And the it was the same response from my grandparents, and I was like, shit, you guys are meant to be telling me no. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:04.960 You guys are meant to be like, hey, just like wait a bit. 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:11.039 And I'm so glad I did it because yeah, like I said, I didn't have a full-time business there waiting for me. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:16.079 It wasn't just like easy breezy, like slot into like, oh, say money and whatever. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:21.759 And yeah, I but I'm so glad I took that risk and trusted that decision. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:27.599 And it was it was a like undeniable like bodily sensation, like a knowing that I had to do it. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:30.000 And that felt scary as fuck. 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:34.240 But it's like one of those things where it's like, I know I have to, I know I have to do it. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.279 Like there's no bargaining. 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:39.440 I'm trying to bargain now with people and get out of it, but I actually know the truth is I need to do it. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:40.640 Yeah, yeah. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:43.599 And like, so there's a couple of things there for me. 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:53.519 Like, there was clearly a switch within you that was like, you know, mentally you were like, I am ready if I if otherwise you wouldn't have said it, like you, you are ready, you can do it. 00:25:53.680 --> 00:26:04.640 But then the importance of the people around you and who you choose to share your dreams and goals and hopes with as well, and how quickly, like if Tom was like, nah, and you would have just been like, Yep, nah, good idea, great. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.480 And like back in your box. 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.519 Yeah, totally. 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:10.720 It's so important to have great people around you. 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:16.559 And I think, you know, like I feel very grateful in our relationship and how much we support each other. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:21.359 And it's like, you know, I said to him, I was like, I really thought you were gonna be like, hey, like, let's wait a bit. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:24.880 Like he has this great analytical mind, and I'm pretty fast and loose. 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.880 And I'm like, let's make a decision right now. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:30.640 And he's like, let's consider all options and then make a decision when we're ready. 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:38.400 And I was kind of expecting him to like slow it down a bit, but yeah, to have this just like I have no doubt in my mind, like let's go do it. 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:45.759 And there's a sacrifice in that in the relationship, in like him then being like, Cool, I'm I'm the person on P A Y G. 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:49.759 So, you know, like there's yeah, there's a real beauty in that. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:56.480 I think it's so important to have those people around you that you can trust and to trust and know yourself enough. 00:26:56.559 --> 00:27:06.160 Because if anyone does ever shit on a dream or doesn't make you feel

good to like not let that influence your inner knowing or your wants, dreams, desires for your life. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.720 Hey. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.519 Absolutely. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:09.680 Like, I think that's just a a mic drop. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:21.599 Like, absolutely, because even if you yeah, the person you told does question you or think about it, like you have if you've got that desire, like you you have to trust yourself and trust that there will be a way to make that happen. 00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.319 Totally. 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:28.400 And like sometimes making that decision regardless of someone shutting you down is a tough decision. 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:34.640 And obviously, then an even tougher decision if you feel like you don't have that support backing you as well, but worth it. 00:27:34.880 --> 00:27:37.759 And at the end of the day, like you've you've given it a shot. 00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:52.079 And not being like confined by like I'm really going through a phase at the moment where it's like there's certain things where you're like told, like that's just like that's that thing's really shit, or like that's just a really hard time. 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:54.480 And I'm like, what am I choosing for myself? 00:27:54.720 --> 00:28:00.559 I don't I don't choose, like, I don't want to go into some things with that mindset or that expectation. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:12.799 And I think a similar thing can happen when you have big dreams and big ideas, depending on the people around you and their lives and their experiences and how they feel about themselves, it can bring up a lot of stuff for them, right? 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:27.039 Absolutely, absolutely, and I think that's a big one in terms of sometimes this perceived jealousy as such, like, oh well, if I can't do it because I'm not brave enough or haven't made that decision, then why do you get to do that? 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:37.359 Um, so therefore I'm going to say it's a shit idea or that you can't do it, or that it's a terrible industry, or whatever it is to bring you down. 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.079 Totally. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.640 Yeah. 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.680 Find your people. 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:41.200 Find your people. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.039 So important. 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:49.200 Um, the other thing that you sort of said was when you left that first job was around that exhale you felt. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:56.079 And I was sort of reflecting on that, thinking around how we just get so caught up in the mundane, so to speak. 00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:05.279 I think you mentioned survival mode, that it just becomes this normal that we don't realize that perhaps we are holding our breath quite a lot and just getting through it. 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:18.160 And not like looking after, like when I think of my health, I think of my mental health, I think of my physical health, my emotional health, my artistic health, like, and health can look like so many different things. 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:20.480 It can look like having my therapist appointment. 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:24.240 It can also look like making time to make art just for the fun of it. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:28.160 It can look like having social time or having less social time and something. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.640 No. 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:31.200 Or, you know, just like those different ways. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:43.440 And I think, you know, when when it comes to things like burnout or when you're in survival mode, having a really hard time, it's it's crazy how quickly and subtly even things can change. 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.839 Like we stop doing the things that make us feel good. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:56.160 And it's like because we don't have time or we don't have the energy, but it's like a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, then because it's like we're not making time for that thing that's really going to help us, you know, to feel better. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:30:00.160 But it can be so hard when you're like, I'm I yeah, I haven't taken a breath. 00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:03.920 That feeling is is intense. 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:05.279 Yeah, absolutely. 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:09.279 So one of the questions I usually ask people, Stefan, is how do you look after yourself? 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:13.440 Um, because I think that's a really like we do have to be proactive with it. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:22.880 And I think in order for us to reach and understand our wild potential, we do have to prioritize ourselves and all the facets of ourselves, as you just mentioned as well. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:25.839 So are there certain things that you find helpful? 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:26.400 Yes. 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:32.640 And and and I find that fascinating, like the seasons you go through with things too. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:43.759 But for me, like my dream operating state is like getting out for a walk in the morning with our dog, like a 20-minute, just a little blocky lap, like that. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.960 I think no phone. 00:30:45.039 --> 00:30:47.039 Well, I have my phone with me, but I'm not on my phone. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.799 I'm like not, I don't have headphones. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:51.119 There's like no stimulation and sunshine. 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:51.839 Yeah. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:31:01.359 It's just like a really I find it too when I'm busy brained and it like a busy day ahead and my brain's like awake up and it's like a million miles an hour. 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:05.440 I find it a really great like reset to just like stomp out. 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:08.880 Do you say you say the like stompy stompy mental health work? 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.359 Yeah. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.240 I've I think I've seen that. 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:16.079 I've seen you post that and then I've had a few times when I was, you know, pissed about things.

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:18.640 I'm like, I'm stomping around this vlog today. 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.440 Absolutely. 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:21.839 Um, but yeah, that's really helpful. 00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:26.880 Going to the gym, like physical, I love lifting weights, so I feel like that physical exercise. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:32.799 But you know, I say that and I haven't been to the gym consistently for most of this year, actually. 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:32.960 Yeah. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:35.759 Which I'm just like, let's not beat ourselves up about it. 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:43.440 But we know it's we're gonna feel even better when we can get back into a bit of a routine, yeah, or just a rhythm, a rhythm with it. 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:55.839 Um, I absolutely think creative time just to create that is not like based on business making money or creating for other people is like so important. 00:31:56.160 --> 00:31:59.839 And I think it's it's like detrimental to my creativity. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:20.720 And I have to look at it like, hey, if you want to channel your creativity for clients and like kind of have a pretty severe, pretty not severe, but like intense demands for my creativity to produce in the ways that it does, I have to give back to myself and I say that and I know that, and how well do I do that? 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:23.200 You know, there's a gap there for sure. 00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:25.519 And then I think it's like getting enough sleep. 00:32:25.599 --> 00:32:26.720 That sounds boring as hell. 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:28.640 I'm a night owl, so I love staying up. 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:34.319 But if I can really get to sleep and get like a good seven to eight hours in, that's helpful. 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:37.119 I drink heaps of water and I eat good food. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:42.640 And it's funny, like I know it sounds super, it's like this is not revelations at all. 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:49.119 Um, and it's like I say to photoshoot clients, I'm like, make sure you eat, like, don't fucking starve yourself. 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:51.759 Like, yeah, make sure you drink heaps of water. 00:32:52.480 --> 00:32:54.880 Yeah, basic stuff like that. 00:32:55.200 --> 00:33:07.599 Um and then yeah, having social time, like having time to switch off to the best of my ability, or going out and like being out in the world, doing something fun, spontaneous. 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.160 Yeah. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.440 Yeah, beautiful. 00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:14.960 You mentioned it at the start that sometimes those are the things that often drop off the quickest. 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:17.759 And I think it is often the basic things. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:23.279 Like if I'm feeling pretty shit, it's that I haven't been outside. 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.160 I haven't seen the sun. 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:29.920 Like, I haven't seen the sun in a day or God knows how many days. 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:33.279 Um, what have I eaten and have I moved? 00:33:33.359 --> 00:33:37.599 Like, and they're the things that move, like they just disappear so quickly. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:44.960 Um, and so similar, I then think about okay, well, I know doing everything at once is just gonna make me feel worse. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:48.640 I'm gonna fail, and then I'm gonna be shit and I'm gonna be shittier at myself, and da da da. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:52.799 So it's like, okay, so what's the one little thing that I can do now? 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:59.359 And sometimes it is we'll just go and have a glass of water right now, just stand there and drink it now, all of it. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:33:59.839 Yeah. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:02.880 And it makes it such a difference, but it it is those things. 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:12.480 I was really interested when you were talking about the um time for creativity and how like the difference between being creative for others versus being creative for yourself. 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:21.440 And uh I think that really stuck with struck me because I I'm about to say a terrible sentence, one of those people that don't think I'm creative. 00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:33.760 Um and and I from the outside I would see you as being obviously a very, very creative person, and I would see that the the art that you're creating for others is part of that creativity. 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:38.559 So interesting, yeah, just a realization for me around the the difference in that for you. 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:41.599 And I guess what what does that look like for you? 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:46.000 How do you distinguish creativity for others versus creativity for yourself? 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:50.960 I think I uh a lot of that for me also I think everyone is creative. 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:53.119 It's like I believe everyone's photogenic. 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:56.079 Yeah, that's why I was like, I'm about to say a bad sentence. 00:34:56.800 --> 00:35:05.039 If ever like I cannot sing, I cannot so okay, I know I need to take my own medicine, but there's a whole like everyone, everyone can actually sing. 00:35:05.119 --> 00:35:10.960 And I'm like, guys, my voice, like I've never been able to find, I've never been able to find it. 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:13.760 Like it is so uh out of tune. 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:16.639 And Tom's like, we've never had lessons, you've never been taught. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:27.760 Um, anyway, I much like people think everyone can sing, I then believe everyone's photogenic and everyone's creative, but it's like understanding how your creativity wants to come through. 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:30.320 And I think it can be a journey of like connecting dots. 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:34.800 It's like me picking up the camera and being in business now, it was like, let's start a blog. 00:35:35.199 --> 00:35:36.800 Oh my god, I'm not a writer. 00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.400 Like, let's start a blog. 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:42.239 Oh, that

led to photos, that's led to something else, that's led to something else. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:46.320 But yeah, the creating for I think there's three things actually now that I'm thinking about it. 00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:51.119 There's creating for others, which is like the lead pretty much my whole business. 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:56.880 And then there's creating for me or for the fun of it, but then I think there's also creating like for content. 00:35:56.960 --> 00:36:02.639 And what I then notice is I will go, I'll just make art for art's sake, and then I'm trying to film content of it. 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:18.800 So then I'm noticing where it's not even like I'm then having a different approach compared to if I'm to sit at this table right now with some textures and a four sheet of paper, and this is not gonna be seen by anyone, create something. 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:26.800 Like, how does my relationship to it differ compared to the idea of it then being um shared as content? 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.199 Yeah. 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:32.719 No one's gonna be paying pay paying me for my texture drawings, but you know, that's not gonna be in a business sense. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:51.519 But yeah, I think it's really important to have time just to create for ourselves and then be mindful of like if you are someone who's online or you know, I'm like everything's content, you know, be careful of how that can affect like that, you know, creating for fun. 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.760 Um I think it can definitely influence it. 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:55.599 So for me, what do I do? 00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:57.679 I like doing some sequin embroidering. 00:36:57.760 --> 00:37:02.079 So I get sequins and a bead, and I like I it's so funny. 00:37:02.159 --> 00:37:11.599 I started a shirt in like 2023 just doing like a design, and then I finished it two years later, and then I started another one, and I I've now left it for like six months. 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:15.039 So I just I I have so many little things. 00:37:15.199 --> 00:37:16.480 I've done some painting. 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:28.400 I do actually have a re notebook at the moment, and I well, I haven't done it in July or August, but I've been trying to like draw each day just something in there. 00:37:28.719 --> 00:37:36.719 Like just like it's not anything profound, but just doing something in that physical form. 00:37:37.039 --> 00:37:37.920 What else do I do? 00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:40.400 Like craft, I fucking love crafting things. 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:51.920 Like um, I had my mum's event for her anniversary, Cosmos for Colleen, and I I felt felt's a great medium to play with, got some felt, and like did this little cute little like badge thing for people. 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:54.960 So yeah, I love doing that kind of stuff. 00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.360 Yeah. 00:37:55.519 --> 00:38:00.000 It's kind of as you're talking, like for me, I was like, that's your form of meditation or

mindfulness, right? 00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:00.400 Yeah. 00:38:00.559 --> 00:38:06.960 And I think um I I love hearing that, and I hope that people listening in can resonate with that as well. 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:12.239 Because I think if we're talking about meditation and mindfulness, we we all think it has to look a certain way. 00:38:12.480 --> 00:38:21.599 And if we're trying to, again, your world potential is about breaking down those barriers and and stereotypes, that it's like find your thing. 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:28.480 Like, and for you, that clearly sounds like a lot of that is is the creativity and just being there in the moment with whatever you're doing. 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:35.360 And as you said, it's not it's not for show, it's not for anyone else, it's not for making money or content or anything like that. 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:39.119 It's just for the process and being there doing the process. 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:48.480 And I I feel like it's been, you know, I think growing up, I had a pretty good childhood, but sometimes you know, it was a bit up and down, and I think I was an only child as well. 00:38:48.639 --> 00:38:59.840 So I feel like you know, it was me and create creativity, like I'd go into my little world of creativity, making something, drawing something, playing with Lego, whatever the hell I was up to, entertaining myself. 00:39:00.079 --> 00:39:05.199 And I think I, you know, fostered that relationship with creativity quite young. 00:39:05.360 --> 00:39:23.039 But then I feel like through my grief and you know, teaching myself the camera very soon after mum died, I just like outside of therapy and having good people around me who listen to me and like storytelling and sharing my experiences on grief, I actually think creativity has been like my biggest healer. 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:30.239 Like it just you can imagine, yeah, just the the space that I get to go into when I'm creating, whatever that might be. 00:39:30.639 --> 00:39:46.000 You know, even now, like I um I I've been like deathly sick with the flu and I have a shoot, and it's like I really don't like unless I've got a limb hanging off, touch wood, that doesn't happen, but you know, I'm not canceling shoots, it's like push-through. 00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:52.880 I've had times where like emotionally I'm like hanging on by a thread, and it's fascinating to me. 00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:55.760 Every photo shoot, it like takes me somewhere. 00:39:55.920 --> 00:40:01.599 Like I don't feel sick, I don't feel I'm not like even thinking about my emotions or what's happening in my life. 00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:20.639 Like I'm in a fucking different zone, and I can like it also gives so much back to me, like the times or weeks where I've felt really stagnant or stuck, and then I go, Oh, I haven't picked up the camera, I haven't done any, I haven't had a shoot on, and then I have a shoot and I'm like, I'm bashed, baby, I'm back to life. 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:22.559 But yeah, fascinating. 00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:30.159 Yeah, just that's my experience with creativity and such a cool thing to go, oh wow, yeah, it really can take me into a different place zone. 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:30.719 Yeah. 00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:35.119 How nice that you found that and that you recognize that and know that that's your thing for you. 00:40:35.280 --> 00:40:36.559 I think that's really beautiful. 00:40:36.960 --> 00:40:55.760 You again started to touch on this, but one of the last sort of questions I wanted to ask you was around that social media presence and content creation, and I guess in this day and age where everyone's a content creator and everything needs to be shared, and there is a lot of influence on us, particularly then online. 00:40:56.880 --> 00:41:03.599 How do you stay true to yourself and show up as yourself when all that noise is around us all the time? 00:41:03.840 --> 00:41:04.960 Such a great question. 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:07.760 And I think such a fascinating topic. 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:14.239 Been talking about this with a few people at the moment because I've shared my life and myself online for probably like 10 years. 00:41:14.400 --> 00:41:19.360 I've always been on the internet, like even as a kid, you know, MySpace, yeah, ego, whatever. 00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:21.360 Um text me back. 00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:26.880 Vivo, I know oh, what a throw math. 00:41:27.119 --> 00:41:41.039 Um, yeah, I've always been on the internet in some way, and I've always shared, and I I've can see where I probably used to overshare some stuff, like maybe five-ish years ago, seven-ish years ago, but also that was just where I was at. 00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:43.199 Like I look back now and go, hey, cool. 00:41:43.360 --> 00:41:49.280 I've learned I can refine it and I don't have to like give everyone access to all of the things. 00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:53.199 Um, and I can still be authentic and I can still be vulnerable and I can still share that. 00:41:53.280 --> 00:42:03.920 But it's interesting, I have felt this like uh I feel like I have felt a bit stuck in my like, how do I show up online? 00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:06.159 How do I want to be showing up online? 00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:20.239 And it's like through the lens of like what I fucking hate about it is like we're trying to perform for algorithms or like engagement or to like get the best results versus actually creating what we want to create and sharing what we want what we want to share. 00:42:20.320 --> 00:42:29.280 And it's like, you know, I could grow my following because I also won't deny to grow a following and to have that vanity metric, it can be helpful for opportunities. 00:42:29.599 --> 00:42:30.079 Yeah, absolutely. 00:42:31.280 --> 00:42:34.880 Um like I hate that that's the truth, but it is what it is. 00:42:35.119 --> 00:42:39.920 But it is, and I think that's the the world that we're living in and and it's the the crossroads,

right? 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:48.239 It's like everyone's like, you know, you post this amount of days on this platform and this amount on this platform, and you know, you have to be. 00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:55.920 I think the thing for me, similar is around like we're we're posting for that as opposed to connection and so missing that component as well. 00:42:56.159 --> 00:43:04.239 I also feel frustrated because yeah, it's like, oh, to grow your account so you can just do a really hooky kind of reel, and then it's like read the caption for more. 00:43:04.320 --> 00:43:09.599 And I'm like, didn't we just didn't we used to post long captions years ago with one photo and like do it like that? 00:43:09.760 --> 00:43:11.599 Like we're sort of reverting back to that. 00:43:11.679 --> 00:43:15.039 But then what I'm also noticing is everyone's content's looking the fucking same. 00:43:15.199 --> 00:43:15.360 Yeah. 00:43:15.599 --> 00:43:19.920 That is a generalization, and I'm not trying to be over-critical with it, but I'm bored. 00:43:20.000 --> 00:43:21.519 Like, where is the humanness? 00:43:21.599 --> 00:43:22.320 Where is the art? 00:43:22.400 --> 00:43:23.920 Where what do you actually think? 00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:40.000 And like I sit in this space of like sometimes I like some of the trends, I don't often do them because I'm like, why do you need a trend to maybe like, you know, there's a trend at the moment where it's like kind of chic and they they have a thought, like kind of chic to do XYZ? 00:43:40.320 --> 00:43:45.840 And I'm like, you know, you could just like share something like that, you know, anytime anytime. 00:43:46.320 --> 00:43:59.679 And then I go, is that a genuine thing that you think, or is it something that you're just there's a template, there's a trending template now, and it's like I'm gonna throw in five fucking things that I think are kind of chic and just drop them off to the internet to hopefully get engagement. 00:44:00.159 --> 00:44:03.440 To perform for people to save it, to send it. 00:44:03.679 --> 00:44:06.719 And I'm just like, what the hell? 00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:12.239 Um, and so I'm like I've had like a crazy season. 00:44:12.559 --> 00:44:20.639 I also just have to go, you know, I'm not a machine and I'm not gonna be ever someone who's producing like content every day. 00:44:20.800 --> 00:44:32.719 I think I can get more consistent for sure and have a bit more strategy and put a bit more time and effort into like how I how and what I want to share, but I'm not a machine, and there's gonna be seasons to when I'm on and when I'm off. 00:44:32.880 --> 00:44:45.199 And so I'm I'm I'm I think I can feel that new era of like different ways to share online and different things I want to do, um, different series I want to do, like um sharing. 00:44:45.360 --> 00:44:52.559 I have so many shit photos of like really lovely lighting, like when I'm out and I'm like, oh my god, the lighting looks great, but it's such an unesthetic photo. 00:44:52.719 --> 00:44:55.840 It's like doing a series where I can share things like that. 00:44:56.000 --> 00:44:58.239 So yeah, I mean it's a great question. 00:44:58.320 --> 00:45:05.760 It's an ever-evolving question too, and like who we are as people, how we're changing, growing, evolving, and then the landscape of being online. 00:45:05.840 --> 00:45:23.679 But I just I think it's important for all of us who can and are willing to be like as human as possible online and to like don't worry so much about the algorithm and like those metrics, even though that can be hard because you're like, I want it to perform well and I want to have that validation. 00:45:23.840 --> 00:45:34.320 But it's like I think it's so important that we stay authentic to ourselves versus you know, producing for yeah, an algorithm or a metric. 00:45:34.719 --> 00:45:35.519 Yeah, absolutely. 00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:37.840 I think for me, like it's always this balance. 00:45:37.920 --> 00:45:42.159 Um, I mean, not a balance, it's not a balance because I don't do it, but this planned content. 00:45:42.320 --> 00:45:45.280 Everyone's like, plan your content, same. 00:45:45.599 --> 00:45:59.039 Um and then, but like my often best performing content is when I've had that creativity spark at the time or something's happening for me in real time, yeah, and I create something from that. 00:45:59.119 --> 00:46:01.119 That's often my best performing content. 00:46:01.199 --> 00:46:08.239 And like then I get caught up again to be like, oh, I need to be planning or I need to, as you said, follow this trend or do that, or da da da da da. 00:46:08.559 --> 00:46:09.119 How do I get that? 00:46:09.199 --> 00:46:15.360 And I'm like, just slow it down, chill out, and yeah, oh I'm like I agree. 00:46:15.519 --> 00:46:26.000 I reckon I've had times where I've spent so much freaking time and a reel, like on filming it and editing it, putting it together, and it like, you know, doesn't really go anywhere. 00:46:26.079 --> 00:46:34.719 And it's like other shit that I've just been in that flow state that sparks, just hit me, and I've just run with it and posted it, and it's like bam, it just it hits. 00:46:34.800 --> 00:46:40.480 And I go, I think it this all of this speaks back to our earlier conversation around it's the moments and the moments in between. 00:46:40.559 --> 00:46:50.000 It's like unplanned magic and like following that instinct or following that intuitive hit or like posting when you get that feeling instead of going, oh, but it's not 5 p.m. 00:46:50.159 --> 00:46:54.559 when when it's a popular time, or whatever the whatever the fuck we worry about. 00:46:54.719 --> 00:46:56.719 Yeah, yeah, I completely agree. 00:46:56.960 --> 00:46:57.440 Yeah. 00:46:57.679 --> 00:47:01.840 I and that feels like a nice sort of place to sort of round out that conversation. 00:47:01.920 --> 00:47:07.280 I think that's a good little end point and a good reminder to to leave

on. 00:47:07.599 --> 00:47:17.840 Is there anything else that I guess in terms of thinking about your wild potential, is there anything else that you think you would like to share or encourage other advice for other people listening? 00:47:18.639 --> 00:47:22.320 I mean, other than the sentence I just said is a nice one to finish on. 00:47:23.760 --> 00:47:29.039 I just think our time on earth is so incredibly precious and it's so fleeting. 00:47:29.199 --> 00:47:43.199 And I think it's we owe it owe it to ourselves to go out and do the things that we want to do and do it scared, do it brave, do it with courage, like do it feeling the fear, you know, and diving in anyway. 00:47:43.440 --> 00:47:47.360 Um, I think, and that's my sort of my feeling for this next era. 00:47:47.440 --> 00:47:51.679 I'm saying this next era, I've just had a birthday, so I'm feeling like there's a new era loading here. 00:47:51.760 --> 00:47:54.880 And and I've just had a really clunky time. 00:47:54.960 --> 00:47:58.079 So I'm like, this feels like a cleanse before like a new era coming out. 00:47:58.159 --> 00:47:58.400 Yeah. 00:47:58.639 --> 00:47:59.440 Era's loading. 00:47:59.519 --> 00:48:10.719 And I think that is, yeah, like let's like let's um, I don't know, rallying the people, let's take some action on the shit that we want to make happen and the dreams and go after it because we've literally got nothing to lose. 00:48:10.960 --> 00:48:12.400 Oh my god, that made me teary. 00:48:12.639 --> 00:48:13.599 So that's good. 00:48:13.760 --> 00:48:16.880 Um, I think, yeah, let's rally the troops, let's do it. 00:48:16.960 --> 00:48:17.679 We're all doing it. 00:48:18.079 --> 00:48:18.719 Absolutely. 00:48:18.960 --> 00:48:22.960 And then like rewind and listen to that again and listen to that again. 00:48:23.440 --> 00:48:26.880 Have to like pin this and we have to like say this and go, yeah, cool. 00:48:26.960 --> 00:48:27.920 Take take your own advice. 00:48:28.320 --> 00:48:29.039 Take your own advice. 00:48:29.519 --> 00:48:31.920 Absolutely, absolutely the hardest advice. 00:48:32.159 --> 00:48:36.079 Um, so finally from me, Stepha, where can people connect with you? 00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:44.639 Um I am on Instagram at Love Stefan, or you can always email me, hello at lovesteffa.com. 00:48:44.719 --> 00:48:47.760 I am on TikTok here and there, that's Love Steffa as well. 00:48:47.840 --> 00:48:51.760 But um, yeah, Instagram's my main, my main zone, and I'm sticking to that, you know? 00:48:51.920 --> 00:48:52.079 Yeah. 00:48:52.320 --> 00:48:54.239 Put my yeah, put my love into that. 00:48:54.320 --> 00:48:55.440 That's pretty much the vibe. 00:48:55.760 --> 00:48:56.559 Yeah, perfect. 00:48:56.719 --> 00:48:58.800 And for those listening, like please do reach out. 00:48:59.039 --> 00:49:02.079 Steffa is amazing to work with, amazing to be around. 00:49:02.400 --> 00:49:11.119 Feel so comfortable in your presence and particularly in a in a situation that is unnatural to me in terms of being photographed in that sort of setting. 00:49:11.199 --> 00:49:15.440 And it's just this most beautiful, beautiful thing to experience. 00:49:15.599 --> 00:49:17.360 Um, right through the process. 00:49:17.440 --> 00:49:30.400 Like, I know I said we're wrapping up, but I think this is important and important for you to hear, like right from that initial inquiry and in your warmth and encouragement and that process of understanding what I want as a client of yours, what does that look like? 00:49:30.480 --> 00:49:35.119 And then what your role is in that as well, and how you then shape that and formed that. 00:49:35.199 --> 00:49:37.440 And I was like, Oh, I'm what have these questions? 00:49:37.519 --> 00:49:39.840 And you're like, great, let's do this, and da-da-da-da-da. 00:49:40.239 --> 00:49:58.960 And then to get there on the day and just, you know, you you ease nerves, you warm people into it, you bring this fun and warmth, comfortability to just get people moving and and into it and into that space to really enjoy it and relax through it, but but to have fun, like to have fun in that moment as well, which is really important. 00:49:59.039 --> 00:50:04.559 And then right through to the process of then getting the photos, like again, how you do that is just so beautiful. 00:50:04.719 --> 00:50:06.480 Like it's just it's beautiful. 00:50:07.280 --> 00:50:08.559 It's beautiful, it's important. 00:50:08.800 --> 00:50:09.440 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:50:10.000 --> 00:50:11.199 We're hearing now. 00:50:11.360 --> 00:50:11.599 Thank you. 00:50:11.679 --> 00:50:12.559 Thank you for sharing that. 00:50:12.719 --> 00:50:14.880 It's um yeah, beautiful to hear that. 00:50:14.960 --> 00:50:19.039 And like such a such a gift, I think, of like the people I've met along this journey. 00:50:19.119 --> 00:50:26.559 And I think that's probably the biggest gifts of doing this and being online and taking the risks to share shit online and connect with people is the people that you get to meet. 00:50:26.639 --> 00:50:37.519 And yeah, we've we've known each other for like quite a while now, and we've like many, many years, God, like yeah, um, like yeah, it's yeah, six-ish, I'd say, yeah. 00:50:37.920 --> 00:50:42.719 Different like evolutions for both of us, and yeah, the honor of taking a photo now being on your podcast. 00:50:42.800 --> 00:50:44.000 Like, yeah, it's just so cool. 00:50:44.159 --> 00:50:45.360 Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. 00:50:45.599 --> 00:50:47.199 Oh no, thank you, thank you. 00:50:47.440 --> 00:50:50.159 Well, thank you for being here and thank you everyone for joining in. 00:50:50.239 --> 00:50:54.000 Please, we'll put everything in the show notes, particularly how to connect with Stepha. 00:50:54.079 --> 00:50:55.679 But thank you for being here, Stepha. 00:50:55.840 --> 00:50:56.719 Appreciate you always. 00:50:56.960 --> 00:50:57.679 My pleasure. 00:50:57.840 --> 00:50:58.639 Thank you. 00:50:59.119 --> 00:51:01.280 Thank you for listening to today's episode. 00:51:01.440 --> 00:51:09.280 We hope that this episode has sparked something in you and encourages you to take that next step in continuing to live your own wild potential. 00:51:09.519 --> 00:51:21.280 If you feel so, please connect with us on social media at Finding Your Wild Potential and share some love by sharing this episode around to your loved ones and leaving us a review on your chosen podcast app. 00:51:22.159 --> 00:51:34.719 If this episode has brought anything up for you, please reach out for support through your regular GP, your local mental health service, or by calling Lifeline on 13114.