We recently had the chance to connect with Antonette Slobodian and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Antonette, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I am absolutely hooked on choreography cycle classes! Think spin, but with upper body moves, all synced to the beat of the music. As a former dancer and performer, this class brings me right back to what I’ve always loved—movement and rhythm—while also keeping me healthy and strong with 2–3 workouts a week.
Now, let me be real… it’s no joke! This class is intense and definitely not for the weak (LOL). But that’s what makes it so amazing. The lights go down, the strobes kick in, and suddenly it feels like a full-on dance party. I get completely lost in the music and the movement, and for that hour, it’s pure joy. It’s just you, the bike, the music & the motivating instructor! Truly one of my favorite ways to move and take care of myself!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a proud Gen X Filipina with roots grounded in family, faith, and the grit of Detroit, mixed with the warmth of my Filipino heritage. I wear many hats—wife, mom of two boys, alumni connector, creator, and storyteller—and I love every role because each one brings out a different side of me. My voice has always been a mix of enthusiasm, heart, and humor, and I love making people feel seen and connected, like they’ve known me forever. I’m endlessly curious, always saying yes to learning, growing, and lifting others along the way. I’ve walked through challenges and turned them into lessons, stories, and inspiration to share with others. At the core, I’m passionate about family, community, creativity, and creating spaces where people can thrive. I don’t just want to be in the room—I want to bring warmth, connection, and a little spark of joy to it. That’s what makes my platform, Qualityofwifeandboys on social media so wonderful! It’s an outlet for me to share the joy, fun and humor of being a Filipina Mom! I love to share real life moments but also be intentional about these moments. I enjoy sharing motivating reels about encourage others they can do whatever their heart desires! Sharing the beauty, the love and little life moments.
Let’s Thrive in 2025: Women on the Rise was born from my heart and my own journey of learning how to rise, rebuild, and believe in myself again. I started it because I was inspired by so many women who are THRIVING in all aspects of their lives. In 2024, the idea came to me to bring these women together in an intimate workshop series where they could share their expertise and help all of us level up in every area of life. I wanted to create a space where women could come together, be poured into, and be reminded of their worth, beauty, and power. It’s more than just an event series—it’s a movement for self-love, confidence, community, and thriving in every area of life. Plus, it’s fun and exciting!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader and supporter—through everything! She’s the reason I’m the positive, motivating, and loving person I am today. She’s a dreamer, a believer, and always wanted the very best for her four daughters. Being the youngest, I’m so grateful that she and my dad invested in all those dance classes and performances throughout my childhood. Looking back, it wasn’t really about the show—it was about the joy of sharing our talents and making others happy. That sense of giving and performing for the pure enjoyment of others is something that’s stayed with me my whole life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could actually see and talk to my younger self, it would be both amazing and a little freaky! You know those sci-fi movies where the main character time-travels and tries to help their younger self pick the “right” path to save the world? (lol) Well, if I had that chance, the one kind thing I’d say is: “You are a STAR no matter what!”
Growing up, I was always performing—whether it was at school, in the Filipino community, or at church and other organizations. And sometimes, things didn’t go perfectly. I might have messed up, forgot the lyrics or missed a beat. But here’s the truth I wish I knew then: you’ll live, and you’ll be OK.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This question hits hard! Five years ago, when Qualityofwifeandboys was established on Instagram, I had an idea of what I wanted to share and who I wanted to share it with. I knew I wanted to inspire others who were going through similar situations or who had a passion for the same things I do. I really honed in on who I was—a Filipina mom living in Metro Detroit with a passion for fashion, fitness, philanthropy, and family.
Being public online, you want to show the best version of yourself to help and inspire others, but the truth is, we all have struggles and nothing in life is perfect. I love the phrase “imperfectly perfect.” To me, that means being YOU no matter what failures or mistakes you’ve made or will make.
I love creating reels—whether they’re entertaining, heartfelt, or fun—especially if just one person takes something away from them. To answer the question, “Is the public version the real you?” my best answer is yes and no. Just like actors bring their authentic selves into the characters they play, in the blogging and vlogging world, I bring my real life forward—only a bit more zoomed in and extra. I seek collaborations that make sense for my life so that nothing feels fake. The real me is highlighted through what I love to do, and my hope is always to inspire someone who may be struggling or who just needs a little push.
At the end of the day, your family and close friends know the real you—and that’s what matters most when you’re in the public eye and on social media. It’s up to you to decide what you want to share and what you want to keep private and cherished just for yourself and the ones you love.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
The answer to this question has changed for me—from a “no” to a solid “yes”! I think that’s because of evolving, transitioning, growing up, and glowing up.
I’m the youngest of four girls, and as birth order theory says, some of those youngest-child traits definitely showed up in me—attention-seeking, dependent, adventurous. As a performer when I was younger, being in the spotlight felt natural, and I absolutely loved (and craved) the praise, the cheers, and the sound of an audience clapping.
But now, as a grown a$$ woman with children of my own, things look a little different. Sure, it still feels good to be recognized and praised for projects and accomplishments—that’s human!—but my perspective has shifted. These days, my most important “project” is my boys. They deserve the same love and praise I was given as a child, and now I get to pass that on to them. I want to show them that even in a world where not-so-great things happen, holding onto goodness and true values will carry them far. So, 100% yes!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qualityofwifeandboys/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonetteslobodian/
Image Credits
Ethan Calado (First Photo)
