Stef Vachon’s story is one of resilience, artistry, and the power of community. A double gold medalist in figure skating at both the Gay Games and the World Outgames, Stef has lived a life full of inspiring highs and deeply challenging lows. His journey through sport, self-discovery, and healing has shaped him into the advocate, father, and creator he is today.

Now, Stef is channeling those experiences into a new project: Together Moving Forward, a podcast dedicated to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Through real conversations, personal reflections, and inspiring guests, Stef is creating a safe space for connection, resilience, and self-love. theBUZZ sat down with him to learn more about his background, his journey, and what listeners can expect from this exciting new venture.

1. You’ve had such an incredible journey—from competing at the Gay Games and Outgames to now returning to the ice for València 2026. How have thoseexperiences shaped the person you are  today?

I’ve had a lifelong love–hate relationship with figure skating. From a very young age, it was my passion, I was talented, driven, and I truly believed the sport could take me far. But the bullying and abuse I endured taught me that I wasn’t “allowed” to be a figure skater. Even after making it to Nationals in Canada, the shame became unbearable, and I quit my amateur competitive career far too early, at 17 years old. I had learned from others to hate myself and to feel ashamed of who I was and of what I loved most.

At 18, I joined professional ice shows, thinking I could escape the shame and guilt by traveling the world and living the party life. But no matter where I went, the weight of it followed me. For years, I wrongly believed that skating itself was the reason I was bullied. Then came the Gay Games. For the first time, I performed with such pride, on the ice, in front of my own community. That moment was life-changing and a huge part of my healing. Winning gold medals was incredible, but the real victory was realizing I deserved to skate. Still, outside of those moments, the shame crept back, and I quit again and again until I finally entered therapy in my thirties to begin a long process of healing.

Everything changed last year when my son asked me to teach him how to skate. Stepping back onto the ice with him, I felt chills, it was like coming home. I knew instantly that I had to return before it was too late. So in the spring of 2024, I joined a club and started training again, this time at the Masters level, with my eyes set on competing in international ISU Masters events and at the Gay Games in València in 2026.

2. What role did skating and the LGBTQ+ sports community play in helping you heal from the bullying and challenges you faced growing up?

I owe so much to the Gay Games and to our community for giving me the chance to perform with pride for the very first time. At the 1994 Gay Games in New York, I stepped onto the ice not just as an athlete, but as my true self, celebrated by my community. That experience was transformative, and it’s why I feel such a deep pull to return to the Games in València now that I’m finally proud of who I am. Of course, I’m not in my twenties anymore, and training looks different at this stage of life. But every time I step on the ice, I feel alive again, as if young Stef has come back to life. At 55, I’ve returned to skating with renewed purpose, preparing for Masters competitions and for the 2026 València Gay Games.

Stepping back onto the ice feels like coming home, like rediscovering a part of myself I thought was lost forever. The feeling of gliding, hearing the blades cut into the ice, it’s pure magic. Today, it’s no longer only about skating. It’s about reclaiming my passion, my identity, and honouring the resilience that has carried me this far. Skating reconnects me with the little boy I once was, full of life and dreams. It gives me the strength to reinvent myself, to embrace this second chance at life, and most importantly, to finally love and respect myself by doing what I was always meant to do. The Gay Games and my community gave me that gift.

3. Your new podcast, Together Moving Forward, is rooted in themes of resilience, pride, and self-acceptance. What inspired you to create it, and why now?

My entire healing journey inspired me to create this podcast. One of the biggest turning points was welcoming our son into our lives during the pandemic. Becoming a father taught me so much about love, healing, and resilience. He helps me heal every day by allowing me to give him a better life and by showing me unconditional love, along with my husband, with whom I recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.

I realized that if I want to teach my son to love and respect himself, I first have to model that by loving and respecting myself. During the pandemic, I was searching for a new purpose in life. I tried different paths and jobs that didn’t fulfill me until I went back to school to study digital marketing, building on my background in graphic design. I loved it, but something was still missing.

At the same time, I was listening to a lot of podcasts on personal growth. Mel Robbins is one of my favorites, and her words had a huge impact on me. In one of her episodes, she said, “It’s time to stop waiting and start doing what you want to do.” She mentioned starting her own podcast at 55, and suddenly it clicked for me. It felt like a call to action.

When I was younger, I dreamed of studying psychology, but I’ve always been creative. After years of therapy and healing, and after building a family, I realized how much I had missed being connected to my community. I knew it was time to give back. Together Moving Forward brings together my passion for creativity, my personal growth journey, and my desire to help others.

I’ve also given talks about bullying and resilience, and I plan to expand on that in the future with conferences like “How I Finally Learned to Love and Respect Myself as a Queer.” This podcast is the next step in that mission: to share stories, to heal together, and to celebrate who we are.

4. The tagline of the podcast is “Embrace Your 2SLGBTQIA+ Identity With Pride Through Self Love.” How do you bring that idea into your conversations with guests and your audience?

For me, it’s all about creating a safe and honest space. I invite guests who are ready to share their real stories, where they’ve been, what they’ve gone through, and how they’ve learned to move forward. When we hear others talk openly about their struggles and triumphs, it gives us the courage to do the same.

With everything happening in the world right now, when so many people are trying to push us backward, our best response is to keep moving forward with pride. By loving and respecting ourselves, we take back our power. In every episode, I want listeners to feel that they’re not alone, that their journey matters, and that happiness is possible no matter what society tells us. To me, that is the ultimate act of resilience and the best kind of revenge, choosing to be happy and at peace with ourselves.

5. Who do you hope will tune in to Together Moving Forward, and what do you
want listeners to walk away with after each episode?

This podcast is for our beautiful 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and anyone who has ever struggled with self-acceptance, self-love and self-respect. At its core, it’s about being human. Society often tries to put us all in a box, to make us believe we need to fit a mold. But real beauty comes from diversity, from showing our true colors and being ourselves. No matter where you stand in the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum, we’re all connected and If you’ve ever struggled to fully love and respect yourself, you’re not alone and this podcast is here to help.

As someone who has navigated my own journey of self-acceptance as a queer, I know the power of hearing voices that reflect our experiences. In this podcast, you’ll hear real stories and conversations that leave you with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and the confidence to embrace who you are with pride. Through open dialogue and storytelling with inspiring guests, Together Moving Forward celebrates resilience, love, and authenticity. We want to connect with people around the world, because at the end of the day, we are all equally human, and we all deserve the same respect and love. From shame, guilt, silence, and rejection to pride, freedom, healing, and love. Together Moving
Forward is about celebrating ourselves and uplifting one another.

6. Can you share a little preview of what’s ahead—whether that’s upcoming guests, themes, or the kind of stories you’re most excited to highlight?

What excites me most is showcasing the full diversity of our community. I want to feature everyone, from a neighbor with an incredible story to well-known voices who inspire thousands. Each story matters, and each one helps us see ourselves reflected. I’m thrilled to welcome a wide range of guests, from an 18-year-old drag queen from Liverpool, England, to a lesbian couple in their 70s from New York City, and many more to come! I’m also happy to announce that very soon, we’ll be releasing two episodes per week without any breaks. We will continue helping the 2SLGBTQIA+ community embrace self-love and self-respect through authentic stories of resilience, community building, and a unique Positive Thought Series. Each episode ends with a collective affirmation, breaking down negative self-perceptions and inspiring listeners to celebrate themselves with pride. The first episode of the week dives into a specific theme, featuring special guests or a solo conversation.

The second episode offers a reflective moment, highlighting inspiring parts of the previous discussion and sharing a personal reflection around the Positive Thought of the week, turning those words into practical inspiration for everyday life. I’m always looking for inspiring guests for the podcast, and I’d love to have you or someone you know share your journey with pride. The world needs your story, it has the power to change lives, and your voice matters. Together, we can create a platform where every voice is valuedand celebrated.

From the ice rink to the podcast mic, Stef Vachon continues to inspire with his passion, honesty, and dedication to uplifting others. His journey reminds us that resilience is born not only in the spotlight of victory, but also in the quiet moments of healing and self-discovery. With Together Moving Forward, Stef is inviting us all to join him in celebrating our stories, embracing who we are, and building a future where everyone can belong.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.