After spending her childhood in the public eye, Alyson Stoner could’ve simply continued to hone her talent. She’s an accomplished dancer, singer, and actress, with credits in numerous Disney Channel productions as well as roles in big-budget movies. Not to mention, Stoner was the kid dancer in the Missy Elliott “Work It” music video, which was basically a cultural phenomenon.
Stoner has grown an impressive resume in the entertainment industry—besides the above, she’s released two albums and multiple singles, too—but the other passion she’s pursuing is decidedly off-script. Her short-form YouTube series ALchemy centers on mental health, and her podcast Simplexity aims to address life’s big questions through interviews with a multitude of experts. Stoner’s ability to discuss and convey topics as layered as spirituality, science, and humanity is helping tens of thousands of followers find answers and inclusion within a curious community. Plus, she does it all in a way that’s just as entertaining the rest of her triple-threat pedigree.
As she continues to balance her established roles with emerging ones, Stoner’s presenting herself as a person who isn’t afraid to reach outside of her comfort zone in order to grow. And that is a talent in itself.
You got your start as a dancer in Missy Elliott's "Work It" music video when you were just seven years old, and then you went on to star in a number of wildly popular Disney Channel shows and movies. After 20 years in the spotlight as an actor, singer, and dancer, you’ve added podcast host and entrepreneur to that list. What was the lightbulb moment for the Simplexity podcast and what inspired you to pursue this path?
It is easy to mistake the piece you know about someone for the totality of who they are. While building my public-facing entertainment career, I was also training with experts across sectors, receiving certifications, and diversifying business ventures that focused on empowerment and personalized wellness. It was a natural next step on the path of authenticity and alignment to integrate these pursuits into my social content and company products.
In an interview with Business Insider, you revealed that you work with an external team to source ads for your podcast, but you have the freedom to approve the ads you read and you favor sponsors with social-good missions. How are you using your platform and business to make a difference and push your industry forward?
There is a triple bottom-line that’s non-negotiable for my company: In addition to my business being a good tool for profit, it must also be good for the planet and good for people. I’ve established criteria that my teams must adhere to when fielding partnerships, content, and strategy opportunities. We do everything we can to commit to these standards and practices personally, and set up internal accountability so the company can be an extension of these values. As a minimalist who lives a very quiet and simple life outside of the industry, I am motivated by social impact and creating greater accessibility to wellness services. The company’s revenue is merely an agent to further spread services and transformative experiences to those who cannot typically afford them.
Entrepreneurship is all about taking calculated risks. What’s the most pivotal risk you’ve taken, and how did it change your path?
Two years ago, I had a major music single release that coincided with a last-minute opportunity to attend a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Arctic where I’d be surrounded by experts who were committed to solving our most pressing crises. In the first scenario, I was the star, all eyes on me, finally scaling my independent artistry to mass audiences. In the Arctic, I’d be a total newbie with no clout or credibility, just a desire to learn and serve. At that moment, I was at a crossroads in my identity. Do I cling to what I’ve known and what has been previously successful? Or do I dare to answer the call to do something beyond this?
Had I listened to what everyone expected from me—to dance, act, and sing forever—I would not have stepped away from television and touring to develop the products and services that now help people improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Believing in a vision others cannot yet see is the definition of a creator. And daring to risk your familiar identity to make room for expansion and evolution is the kind of adventure each stage of entrepreneurship requests of us.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
When you operate with the mindset of infinite possibilities, you see challenges as opportunities for greater creativity and innovation. It was crucial to look at the needs of people and see how I could utilize my skill set (and build new skills) to anticipate, design, and deliver content that empowers people in practical, tangible ways. I created Body Language, an at-home mindful movement program that helps you reconnect with yourself in just 20 minutes a day. We’re launching a beta version in January!
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
For me, confidence is two-fold. First, it is a fixed recognition of your unchangeable worth, and second, it is a result of the competence built from practicing and strengthening a craft or trying new things (even if you fail). My advice is to check-in and ask which of these two elements of confidence need more cultivation. Do you need help understanding your intrinsic value, or practicing the skills and habits that build experience and proficiency? Commit daily to fortifying this part of you, whatever it may be.
You have an impressive social media following with over 1.2 million followers on Instagram and 636,00 YouTube subscribers. How have you remained true and authentic to who you are, and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
I can only be as honest with the world as I am with myself. The work always begins from within. Once you know who you are in truth and how you want to serve, it provides a foundation through which every opportunity, action, and project are filtered.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I just recently learned the importance and necessity of celebrating wins. Acknowledgment did not come naturally to me, but it turns out that it provides energy and motivation to continue forward. And speaking of progress, when you remove fear, doubt, shame, and judgment from your evaluation process, failure is merely neutral information that you can examine and apply toward growth. Rejection was an all too familiar experience for me as a child actor. In order to keep showing up, I had to learn the art of maintaining a distinct self-worth that did not rely on external outcomes, otherwise I’d be at the mercy of so many people and factors.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
The vision of millions of people healing, harmonizing their lives, and stepping into their fullest expression.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs? How can they achieve the same success you've experienced?
For real, we’re all figuring it out and learning from each other. When I assume others know more, have more, and therefore will accomplish more than I ever can, I remember that someone who knows less, has less, and is less capable has found a way to make magic happen and change the world. My other advice is to dare to disrupt the cultural expectation of being stressed out of your mind in order to create. That energy gets infused into your creation. Get your health and personal foundation in balance, then build.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now—what advice would you give yourself?
You know everything you need to know. Trust the voice within, even if it’s guiding you toward a path you’ve never seen modeled before.
Fill in the blanks:
When I feel fear, I…
Remember feelings and visceral responses are reflections of my limbic system doing its best to protect me, but I can choose to rewire my brain and step into the mindset where the construct of fear no longer exists.
To be successful, you need to be…
Whatever you decide success looks like. Pro tip: you might consider “significance” as a part of the definition to round out your aims.
The three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
Curiosity, contemplation, and practical self-discipline.
My perfect day begins with…
Meditation, dynamic neural retraining, 20 minutes of movement, a nutrient-packed smoothie, and reading.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
Abandon myself and neglect my health. How silly to forsake the wellness of the very temple through which I desired to empower and heal others.
