The Story
In February 2016, Stephen incorporated Noodle.ai and was busy preparing the company’s launch on March 14, also known as “Pi Day.”
While his days were hectic with Noodle, it was also a time in his life where he wanted to accept invitations that came his way. He didn’t want to miss out on a huge opportunity and regret it later. So, when he received an invitation to attend a HATCH Summit – where he would spend a few days in the Panamanian Jungle with international leaders who want to build a better world – he said “yes.”
It was an experience that would ultimately change his life.
When Stephen arrived, he was placed in a group led by Doc North. Everyone was asked to sit in a circle, in a stream, in the middle of the jungle.
After they settled into their spots, Doc explained that everyone has a superhero within them. This superhero has a unique superpower that helps them in their life. The group was given time to reflect on their superhero’s name, and what their superpower was.
After some thought, Stephen realized his superpower: if he finds an idea that he feels strongly about, he is determined to make it happen. He sticks with it, carefully planning all angles, and does whatever he can to achieve it – no matter what the consequences are. He decided on the name “Jumper.”
One by one, each group member made their introductions – sharing details about themselves, their superpower, and why they chose their superhero name.
After Stephen introduced Jumper, Doc made a very insightful observation.
“You’ve talked a lot about courage, and your superpower in your professional life. But what about your personal life?” he asked.
This question gave Stephen pause, and at that moment, he had an epiphany: he always displayed bravery in the business world, but in his personal world, it was a much different story. His marriage was ending, and he and his wife were not living the happy life they both deserved. Stephen realized, sitting in this Panamanian Jungle with his feet in the stream, that he had to start living in a way that was true to himself – where he wanted to love, and be loved.
The Impact
Following his divorce, Stephen spent the next few years healing. He began his new life, where he wanted to love and be loved, by focusing on the two people he loved most: his children, Adam and Abby.
When Abby left home to attend Northwestern University, Stephen found himself returning home from work to an empty house. That’s when he realized he had to put more effort into his social life. He joined a social club in San Francisco called The Battery, and a year after joining, he met Jessica.
She was easy to talk to, and conversations flowed so naturally – sometimes lasting hours. In the beginning, neither were in the mindset for a new relationship. Stephen was still healing from his divorce, and Jessica was busy in her career running BTS North America, where she is now the global CEO. But as time went on, their feelings grew and he eventually asked her out to dinner.
For Stephen, “to love” is easy – it’s the “to be loved” part that can be quite scary. In his mind, accepting love is a very vulnerable thing, and it took him a while to open himself up to Jessica’s love. Once he allowed himself to be vulnerable with Jessica, it was no longer scary. Instead, Stephen found himself in a beautiful, loving, authentic relationship that he had been searching for.
On Earth Day in 2023, Jessica and Stephen got married in a ceremony on his ranch, under a 230-year-old oak tree, with their loved ones by their side. With Jessica, Stephen is now in a place where he feels fulfilled and supported – a place where he didn’t think he’d ever be. “Jumper,” he believes, helped him make this lifechanging leap.