Dez Stephens on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Dez Stephens shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Dez, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from my elder, Strong Heart Bear (Dan Hull), an Anishinaabe elder who shares Indigenous teachings and sacred medicine both online and in person. Since 2016, I’ve had the honor of co-facilitating healing retreats with him, and his presence is truly alchemy. His message and purpose are not so much about the history of his people and their land, but about the traditions and values that guide how we live our lives today. He creates a sacred space for spiritual healing, often through purification ceremonies that invite us into the womb of Mother Earth — experiences that help us emerge renewed, whole, and transformed.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dez Stephens, and I am the co-founder of Amarya Global, an organization dedicated to creating spaces for personal growth, healing, and transformation. Over the years, I’ve combined my background as a certified master coach, trainer, and retreat leader with my passion for holistic well-being to design experiences that help people reconnect with themselves and their purpose.

What makes my work unique is the balance of depth and accessibility—I strive to make profound healing and personal development approachable, sustainable, and infused with compassion. Whether it’s through immersive retreats internationally, transformational coaching, or mentoring coaches around the world, my mission is to support people in finding their authentic voice and creating meaningful change in their lives.

Currently, I’m focused on building a global community through retreats, trainings, and collaborative projects that honor both individual journeys and our collective humanity. My work is as much about sparking transformation as it is about building genuine connections.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that has most shaped how I see myself is with my identical twin sister, Denise. She has always been both an obvious mirror and a grounding force in my life. With Denise, I experience the gift of someone who knows me inside and out—someone who is unafraid to be honest when it matters most, yet unfailingly supportive no matter what.

Her authenticity and unwavering presence have helped me see myself more clearly, reminding me that growth comes from both truth and compassion. Having a twin means I’ve always had a partner on this journey, and that relationship continues to shape not only how I see myself, but also how I show up for others.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, what helped most was having people in my life who truly cared about me. My gymnastics coach, Debbie, was my champion, protector, and advocate at a time when my stepfather was abusive. She loved me like a second mom and gave me a sense of safety I desperately needed. My stepmother, Carolyn, who was a social worker, also supported me deeply, and later I sought out therapists who helped me reconcile and heal from my past pains.

Reaching out to people who genuinely cared made all the difference—and it taught me early on the power of safe, supportive relationships in transforming pain into resilience.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the professional coaching industry tells itself is that it will never need licensure or regulation. While coaching is still a relatively young field, there are already movements internationally exploring this very path. For example, the European Economic and Social Committee has documented self- and co-regulation initiatives around coaching and mentoring.

Ignoring or denying the possibility of licensure not only creates a false sense of security but also risks leaving the industry unprepared for inevitable changes. As coaching continues to grow and gain public trust, the conversation around accountability and regulation will only become more important.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I believe my clients would miss my compassion, attention, and kindness most of all—but also my vision for making professional coach training both affordable and accessible. In an industry often known for serving elites, too many opportunities are gatekept simply because of a lack of funds for coaching, training, or education.

What sets my work apart is a deep commitment to opening doors for people who might otherwise be left out of this profession. My clients and students know I care not only about their growth but also about reshaping the field itself to be more inclusive and equitable.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than