Near-Stroke at Christmas. A Year Later? Launching a Travel Business
Stephanie Jones shares how a near health crisis forced her to stop giving to everyone else and finally start giving to herself. She also gave herself permission to be "selfish" to reclaim her time.
Stephanie M. Jones has long been a change-maker. She’s a thought leader in sustainable tourism, a champion of diversity and inclusion, and the founder of Disrupt for Change. But in 2023, her relentless pace finally caught up with her.
On the eve of what should’ve been a restorative solo cruise, Stephanie nearly collapsed at a hotel front desk. Just days before Christmas, she landed in a hospital with stroke-like symptoms. The verdict was clear: if she didn’t slow down, she might not get another chance.
That’s when Stephanie got “selfish”—but not in the way most people think. She created The Selfish Luxury Traveler, a passion project and travel venture for women of color 50+ who’ve spent a lifetime giving and are ready to reclaim joy, sisterhood, and self-care.
Here are my Top 5 Takeaways from our conversation:
1. Burnout is a wake-up call. Stephanie’s collapse was both literal and metaphorical. Sometimes our bodies know before our minds are ready to admit it.
2. Permission is power. It took deep self-reflection—and a year of personal development—to give herself permission to let go, shift priorities, and rediscover her joy.
3. Legacy can evolve. After dissolving her nonprofit, Stephanie reframed her impact. Now, she mentors others and shares her wisdom without sacrificing her peace.
4. Small groups, deep connection. Her travel retreats are capped at 10–12 women, with activities like dance classes, culinary immersions, and music therapy designed to cultivate healing and laughter.
5. Joy is non-negotiable. Buying a puppy!! Losing weight. Reconnecting with her faith. Stephanie shows that transformation after 50 is not only possible—it’s powerful.
She told me, “I lost Stephanie the woman to Stephanie the CEO.” But she’s found her again.
👉 If this story resonated with you, watch the full episode and reply:
What’s your “selfish” next step?
Together, let’s live true to ourselves.
—David
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