StephanieZhong.com

Yesterday, I went to my first Winter Solstice celebration.

I was called to reflect on the intense duality 2025 brought:
🖤 Losses in my family that came one after another
💡 An evolving vision and mission for my business (weaving storytelling and Human Design into something I'm still developing language for)
🌱 The sacred tension of letting go and beginning again

50 people walked through the woods as the sun began to set.

There, we each created a Yule log, where you write down what you want to let go of, and intentions for the new year. The note is wrapped around a log tucking pine needles inside to be placed into a bonfire to release.

When the sun set, we placed the logs into a bonfire. Facing the flame, my body felt warm, alive, and safe.

Behind me, the darkness was cold, open, empty. And yet, I felt fully alive.

Our guide Mike shared that bees flutter their wings at 200 beats per second. When they huddle together into winter inside their hive, they generate enough heat to raise the temperature to 100 degrees.

Warmth, through creation of collective energy.

He also told us about the ancient stone henges — created by ancestors across cultures and continents.

They achieved impossible feats without AI, fancy tools and tech, or academic degrees in physics and architecture.

By harnessing deep knowledge about nature, energy, and weaving their wisdom and talents together.

What are the hidden possibilities to discover within you. Me. Us?

❄️ Solstice Sale Last Day ❄️

🕯️ 20% off all Human Design readings & gift cards
(includes advanced coaching sessions)

Bonus Gift: a personalized Leadership Blueprint
💛 5% donated to Parents Circle (supporting Palestinian and Israeli families to heal and bring mutual peace together from darkness)

Purchase now. Schedule anytime.
Sale ends tonight at midnight
Use coupon code: IAMLIGHT at checkout

PS. Do you celebrate Solstice? What do you want to shed? What are you calling forward in 2026?

Last week, I taught a masterclass that brought together some new ideas about what a brand really means as a leader and heart-centered human in 2025.



The times we’re living in are uncertain and shifting underfoot every day. And while fear may coax us into playing it safe and not standing out too much in our messaging — the opposite is true.

Our stories, and our personal brands, play an even bigger role than ever. 💓

Your story isn’t just backstory. It’s your sovereignty. It’s the mirror that reflects the truth of who you are — and it gives you the roots to rise as the visionary your clients are waiting for right now.

In the last two years, as I've worked with clients to build movement-making brands we've learned something: your brand story doesn’t just position you. It steadies you.

It gives you the inner clarity, conviction, and power you need to lead with grace in uncertain times.

But there’s a pattern I keep seeing, especially in 2025:
🌲 Most leaders minimize their story.
🌲 They scatter their energy trying to “sound professional” and “be all things” instead of sovereign.
🌲 They blend in to play it safe and dim their light, even though deep down they know they’re meant to play bigger.

If this resonates, you haven't failed. I’ve done it too.

It signals that you’ve either outgrown an old container and your brand is ready to evolve with you...

Or it’s time to claim sovereignty over your story and transform it into a foundation that gives you unshakable confidence and a message your clients are longing for.

That’s why I'm excited to unveil an expanded version of Own Your Message. I'm weaving in everything I’ve built behind the scenes with private clients to fortify both your inner leadership and your outer presence.

The upgraded program officially launches at the end of September, but as a beloved part of my community, you’re invited to pre-enroll this week — and step into your next chapter before anyone else.

When you pre-enroll by Friday 8/8, you’ll save $500 and receive 3 private 1:1 bonuses with me to anchor your brilliance and rise with resilience:
✨ Kickoff Call Bonus: we'll set your sovereign intention and success plan
✨ Human Design Reading: we'll unearth your unique magnetism
✨ North Star Polishing Session: we'll refine your brand and make it real-world ready

If you’ve been sensing the gap between who you truly are and how your brand shows up, this is your invitation to close it — and rise as the authority your clients are already looking for.

🚀 Learn more and pre-enroll here: https://programs.stephaniezhong.com/OYMpreenroll

What do you wish brand experts talked about more honestly?

Not the buzzwords. The real stuff.

Like when you're visible, but not attracting the right-fit people.

Or when "being authentic" feels like a performance.

I'm teaching a free class Tuesday on the 5 elements that go into building a brand that's fully you and can't be copied.

As I'm putting the final touches together I'd love to know from you:

If you had a brand coach on speed dial, what would you ask?

Drop your Q in the chat or DM me. I want to weave your real questions into the class.

What do you wish Brand Coaches would talk about when trying to build an authentic personal brand?

To save your seat, register here: https://bit.ly/brandclasswithsteph

I grew up in Philly, which means two things:
I love the Eagles. 🦅
I know what it’s like to hold high hopes up, then self-destruct in the biggest moments.

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Eagles had all the talent—Reggie White, Keith Jackson, Clyde Simmons, Randall Cunningham, Jerome Brown. All pro-bowlers. Deep respect for them.

And yet, year after year, the Eagles as a team would crumble under pressure in the playoffs.

I never stopped supporting them, though. Because I knew what it was like to be on a hot streak one moment, then suddenly sabotage yourself the next.

(I wasn't even striving for anything near a Super Bowl)

Still, it wasn’t easy being a proud Eagles fan. I worked at a company full of Giants fans, and I’d spend mornings peeling off Post-it notes from my desk that just said: “LOSERS.”

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to learn as an entrepreneur—brilliantly modeled by Eagles QB Jalen Hurts this season—is this:

✨ Be your biggest fan, when you're up and when you're down. ✨

✨Be your biggest fan when the critics question your unconventional decisions ✨

✨Be your biggest fan when your industry doubts your ability because you come from an underestimated background ✨

✨Be your biggest fan when you take a creative risk or say no to an opportunity that pays well but compromises your purpose, and wonder when the dream client you're holding space for will appear. ✨

When you reach your goal—or miss it by a mile—celebrate the effort rather than the result.
Every action builds the internal and external resilience your business (and soul) needs.

So before we get too far into 2025, I invite you to check in with yourself.

How connected do you feel to the heart and soul of your brand?

A: I know my magic and am my biggest fan 🦅

B: I shine my magic here and there -- in training to be my full fan self 📣

C: Ooh, never thought about this before. Time to make a jersey with my name on it. 🏈

👉I’d love to hear where you’re at.

PS. Flowers to 's management team!