Steph Jones' story hits home for so many reasons. In addition to GBSTL covering the best in up-and-coming, world, and underground talent, and understanding the "follow your dreams" struggle, Steph was the very first interview on this blog. He was a rising superstar from Missouri City, Texas; a model, singer, and actress.
For the last year, we haven't heard much from Steph in those areas. His last offering was a four song preview and his Taxman movie in which he co-starred with Vanessa Simmons. What we have heard of, however, is his new passion for Herbalife--his dramatic weight loss, and his plugs for the brand.
So what happened? Well, Steph tells Vibe Vixen that the "superstar life" wasn't what it seemed.
“I was living from check to check sometimes my phone had to get cut
off . Sometimes I had to decide between putting gas in my car or food in
my mouth.Years passed and I would make money here and there but just
enough to get by. Eventually the bills were piling up and I had no money
coming in. The lease was up on my apartment so I started staying at
different friends houses. Then I felt like I was wearing out my welcome.
Then I was like, I got my car."
Girlfriend at the time Jordin Sparks, nor his mom, knew. And while he was living out of his Jeep, he gained 30 pounds. That was until one day changed his life forever.
“August 15th, 2011 at 3:47 am, I was at the post office outside
of my PO box. I spoke to God like I’ve never spoken to him. Tears ran
out of my body to where my body was cold and I said I had had enough. I
wanna be around nothing but positive people but the industry is not a
positive environment. There are positive people in it, but its a very
cold place. A lot of my friends who are platinum selling artists hate there lives. I
wanna be healthy and wanna make money but want the money to represent
something that I believe in. Everything I asked for made its way into my
life a week and a half later.”
Being approached by an Herbalife member to join a large group class, he was skeptical, but then realized that was the answer he was looking for.
A flashback of two weeks prior had come back and I was like… wait a
sec. This is what I asked for and its happening! I wanted every dollar
that I make to come from something I believe in. You mean I can make
money with Herbalife, get healthy and be around a bunch of positive
people? This is literally every single thing that I asked for."
After dropping his body fat by 10.3%, he now coaches others to reach their potential, but reminds his fans he hasn't quit music.
“I did not quit music. I will write and sing in the comforts of my
own home until I can build financial freedom where I can do it my way
and I don’t have to conform to anybody else’s ideas. When I come back,
I‘ll come back on my own terms. Now I have a place to live and I don’t
have to sleep in my jeep anymore. I have financial freedom now and that
represents fulfillment and happiness. People don’t realize this is what I’ve always wanted to do; help people and change lives.”
