Designing a Life of Authenticity Beyond the Kitchen w/Tyler Stokes & Braiden Belnap

Braiden Belnap
Oct 1, 2025
3 min read

Creating a life that feels authentic requires intentionality, perseverance, and the courage to pursue your passions. In this episode of Journey to Authenticity, I sit down with Tyler Stokes, a renowned chef and successful restaurant owner, to explore his unique journey. Tyler’s path was unconventional, apprenticing his way up in the culinary world while learning invaluable lessons about work ethic, perseverance, and creativity. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tyler has committed himself to breaking negative generational patterns in parenting, ensuring his children grow up with love, intention, and freedom to be themselves. In this blog, I want to highlight key insights from our conversation. First, we will explore the importance of following your passion and committing to growth. Next, we will discuss strategies for breaking negative patterns and creating intentional family dynamics. Finally, we will examine how designing your life with purpose allows you to navigate challenges and take bold action toward your goals.

Following Your Passion and Committing to Growth

Tyler’s story demonstrates that pursuing your passion requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn from every experience. Apprenticing his way up in the culinary world meant embracing every opportunity, no matter how small, and using it as a step toward mastery. This mindset is applicable to any pursuit in life or career.

A practical approach to following your passion is to break down big goals into manageable steps. Focus on daily progress, skill development, and learning from mentors or experiences along the way. Cultivating discipline and resilience ensures that setbacks do not deter you but instead become lessons that strengthen your journey.

Another important factor is aligning your actions with your core values. Tyler’s upbringing on a farm instilled a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, which shaped his approach to life and work. Identifying the values that guide you creates a foundation for making consistent choices and maintaining focus even when obstacles arise.

Breaking Negative Patterns and Creating Intention

Life is not just about personal success; it is also about the impact we have on those around us. Tyler has dedicated himself to breaking negative generational patterns in parenting, emphasizing love, intention, and freedom for his children. This approach highlights the importance of examining inherited behaviors and consciously choosing what to carry forward.

A practical strategy is self-reflection. Take time to identify patterns or behaviors that may be holding you or your family back and create actionable steps to change them. Journaling, open communication, and intentional routines can help reinforce new habits.

Another key aspect is modeling the behaviors you want others to adopt. Whether in parenting, leadership, or relationships, demonstrating authenticity, empathy, and resilience encourages others to follow suit. This intentional approach strengthens connections and fosters a positive environment for growth and development.

Designing Your Life With Purpose

Tyler’s journey also emphasizes that a fulfilling life is designed, not left to chance. Living intentionally means making choices that align with your passions, values, and long-term vision. Purpose-driven action allows you to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence while staying committed to your goals.

Practical ways to design your life include setting clear objectives, visualizing the outcomes you want to achieve, and taking consistent steps toward those goals. Embracing calculated risks and being willing to step out of comfort zones are also critical components of personal and professional growth.

Reflection and regular check-ins ensure that your path remains aligned with your purpose. By assessing progress, evaluating priorities, and adjusting strategies as needed, you maintain momentum and avoid being swayed by distractions or external pressures. Tyler’s story shows that intentional design creates space for passion, impact, and fulfillment in all areas of life.

Conclusion

Chasing your passion and living authentically requires commitment, reflection, and intentional action. By following your passions, breaking negative patterns, and designing your life with purpose, you can create a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and full of growth. These practices provide actionable steps to cultivate resilience, authenticity, and intentionality in both your personal and professional life.

If these insights resonate with you and you want a deeper look into Tyler’s journey, be sure to watch or listen to the full episode of Journey to Authenticity linked below. His story is a reminder that bold action, intentional design, and staying true to your passions can transform not only your life but the lives of those around you.