In a deeply personal and exclusive interview, Allison Holker Boss invites us into her world, where she shares her profound journey to healing and newfound mission that emerged after the untimely and tragic death of her beloved husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss. Just four months have passed since that heartbreaking moment, and Allison has found solace in reaching out to those who suffer in silence and carrying on Stephen’s legacy of love, positivity, and unwavering compassion.
As we enter the shrine of her memories, Allison recounts the precious moments she shared with Stephen. In the midst of their busy lives, the simple joy of preparing dinner together in the kitchen emerges as one of their most treasured rituals. Allison moves through a familiar space and memories come flooding back. She can still feel the warmth of Stephen’s gentle touch on her back and the echoes of their animated dinner conversations resonate in her heart. Their home was once a sanctuary of laughter, a place where love flowed like a beautifully crafted ballet.
The sudden death of the iconic DJ, who went on to become an executive producer of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, has left Allison, now 35, and their loved ones saddened.
Yet beneath this seemingly idyllic life lay inner struggles that Stephen was quietly dealing with, unbeknownst to many. Allison reflects, “No one knew he was struggling with his demons; he felt no one should know. He wanted to be Superman, the ultimate protector.” The stark contrast between the joyful life they have built and the deep pain Stephen has had to endure is an emotional conundrum for Allison to reconcile. It carries a complex tapestry of emotions, from deep sadness and mistrust to love and anger.
From this crucible of emotions, however, Allison draws strength and a renewed sense of purpose. She firmly believes that Stephen, who brought boundless joy to the world, deserves to be remembered for the extraordinary person he was.
To honor his memory and carry on his legacy, Allison started the “Move with Kindness Foundation” earlier this year. The foundation is a testament to the importance of reaching out to others in times of despair, realizing that even in our darkest moments, there are people who look to us as guiding lights. Allison is a passionate advocate for fostering a sense of community characterized by compassion and support, particularly in the area of ​​mental health initiatives.
Allison and Stephen have always been collaborators, advocates of optimism, and spreading positivity through their projects. However, after Stephen’s death, Allison struggled with uncertainty about how to continue their mission of love and joy together. In a heart-to-heart with her dear friend Andy Grammer, she shared her concerns about how to continue living her purpose, which has always been connected to her family.
Andy’s words of encouragement to Allison struck a deep chord. He reminded her that her purpose hadn’t changed, but had evolved and gained more depth and complexity. Calming her down, he said, “It just looks different now and has a little more depth.” This conversation not only confirmed her instincts but also provided inspiration to persevere.
“I’ve had so many people reach out to me, especially men, and say how much it affected them because they had no idea how much they hold on to and don’t show,” she continues.
“At first I found it was a lot to hold on to, but then I realized I wanted people to feel safe talking to me, to open up and understand that we need to support each other in these times. “
Allison acknowledges the physical effects of her trauma and talks about how they unfolded in the weeks following Stephen’s death.
The stress of trying to help myself, my children, my friends, and my family got worse.
She incorporated cold immersion into her daily routine as she found it soothing. Through this practice, she was able to release strong tension, which also improved her mental and spiritual health.
Allison and her children now have a new relationship based on open communication and vulnerability due to Stephen’s loss of a family support system.
Allison puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of teaching your children and yourself that experiencing anger or sadness does not automatically make a person a bad person.
The toll of her trauma took its toll in the weeks following Stephen’s tragic death. The burden of trying to be there for myself, my children, my friends, and my family was getting harder and harder. In her quest for healing, she found solace in the practice of cold immersion, which she incorporated into her daily routine. This practice not only helped her relieve overwhelming stress but also proved to be beneficial to her spiritual and mental well-being.
With Stephen as the pillar of the family, his loss has led to a new dynamic between Allison and her children, one based on open communication and vulnerability. She puts a lot of emphasis on teaching her children and herself that feeling angry or sad doesn’t make them terrible people.
As Allison navigates her path to recovery and continues Stephen’s legacy of kindness and compassion, she stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her journey serves as an inspiration to all who have faced adversity, and as a reminder that despite profound loss, there is potential for growth, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose in life.