The Full Antwyne DeLonde Interview

Joshua T. Berglan: Antwyne, thank you for being here. How are you today?

Antwyne DeLonde: Joshua, thank you so much. That was a great intro, and again, I’m just happy to be here with you as you get back on the saddle, and we can do this together. So, I’m looking forward to this.

Question 1
What are you grateful for today and why?

I’m grateful for my son, who just turned 15 on Tuesday. It makes me feel old at 42 to know I have a 15-year-old, but what really makes me grateful is seeing how thriving and determined he is. My wife and I have worked hard to put him in the best situation possible, and I’m thrilled for family and for the work I’m doing to empower the undervalued and overlooked.

Question 2
Your rise from a cash vault teller to Wall Street feels almost cinematic. If your journey were a movie, what would the title be, and who would play you?

The title would be Where Am I Going? because in life, we often don’t know our purpose starting out. My journey from the cash vault to being a financial advisor, to running my portfolio, and now being a fintech founder is something I couldn’t have planned—it was sheer purpose. Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things would play me because he embodies my spirit and drive.

Question 3
You thrived during the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis. What’s the craziest moment you experienced during that time, and what did it teach you about survival?

Starting as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in 2007, I saw the CEO, Stan O’Neal, ousted overnight. It was surreal and showed me that even giants can crumble without diligence. It was a scary time, but it taught me the importance of adaptability and staying grounded amidst chaos.

Question 4
Collaborating with NBA legends like Walt Williams must have come with some interesting experiences. What’s one behind-the-scenes moment that completely blew your mind?

Walt is unmatched in integrity and loyalty. He was my strength through challenges, and his grace and humility are rare. Working with him wasn’t just a privilege; it was inspiring. Even though I transitioned to follow my purpose, we’re still in contact, and I admire him deeply.

Question 5
Vision X is dismantling systemic inequities. If you could wave a magic wand and fix one global inequity instantly, which would it be and why?

Finance. Without financial access, education, healthcare, and technology remain out of reach. Vision X uses blockchain and AI to break these barriers and create sustainable impact, helping communities thrive.

Question 6
Media literacy is a buzzword today. What’s one skill or insight everyone needs to navigate the media landscape?

Understanding AI. It sparks creativity and clears out minutiae, helping users learn more efficiently. AI is not something to fear—it’s a tool for empowerment when used correctly.

Question 7
What’s a failure or setback you’re most grateful for, and why?

Trusting individuals who didn’t align with my purpose. It taught me to set boundaries and focus my energy on those who share my vision, ensuring that setbacks don’t derail the mission.

Question 8
Your book, Empathic: Art of War , challenges traditional leadership paradigms. What’s the biggest leadership myth you want to shatter?

The myth that you can’t have personal relationships with coworkers. True leadership is about empathy—understanding your team’s challenges and uplifting them to achieve better results together.

Question 9
The military gave you the mantra, “Suck it up and drive on.” What’s a moment when that mindset almost didn’t work, and what got you through instead?

In Iraq, as a sergeant and gunner, I faced constant threats. That mindset kept me going, but what truly got me through was resilience and focusing on protecting others, whether as a soldier, financial advisor, or family man.

Question 10
You left traditional finance at the height of your career. What was scarier—leaving the system or building something entirely new?

Building something new. While I excelled in finance, starting Vision X from the ground up was uncharted territory. It was daunting but fulfilling, and I’m grateful I took the leap.

Question 11
Vision X gamifies health milestones. If you had to design a game around your personal journey, what would the main challenge be and the ultimate reward?

It would combine chess and Go—both strategy-driven games. The challenge would be finding pain points to solve while navigating obstacles, and the reward would be saving your “king,” symbolizing purpose.

Question 12
Vision X Studios empowers creators globally. If you could give a microphone to one untold story, whose would it be?

I couldn’t pick just one. The untold stories from Kenya, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and beyond deserve a platform. Vision X Studios exists to amplify these voices collectively.

Question 13
You’ve worked with financial titans like Blackstone. What’s the most surprising thing people don’t realize about private equity?

It’s one of the few ways to build real wealth, but it’s inaccessible to many. Vision X Academy aims to educate underserved communities about these opportunities, creating awareness and access.

Question 14
What’s a moment when you saw inequity firsthand, and it fundamentally changed you?

Witnessing absolute poverty in Iraq—children living in sand huts, begging for MREs—showed me how privileged we are in America and the responsibility we have to do more for others.

Question 15
What’s one lesson or skill you wish you had learned earlier in your career?

Managing credit and understanding debt. I learned hard lessons about bad debt early on, but now I use that knowledge to educate others on building financial stability.

Question 16
If you could leave one message on every mirror in the world, what would it say?

“With age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes prosperity.”

Question 17
The LP utility token is redefining financial inclusion. What’s the boldest future you envision for this technology?

Limitless possibilities. The token will connect underserved communities to goods, services, and remittance opportunities, transforming economies in Southeast Asia, Africa, and beyond.

Question 18
What’s a lesson your son has taught you about leadership?

Forgiveness. My son wiped away my tears during a tough moment and told me to forgive those who had wronged me. It was a profound lesson that changed me.

Question 19
What’s one message you’d give to a young person in an underserved community?

Keep dreaming, building, and searching for purpose. Even when it feels unattainable, persistence will lead you to fulfillment.

Question 20
You’re building a legacy of empowerment. What’s one thing you hope the next generation does better than we did?

Lead with empathy. If we can spread empathy through leadership, the world will be in a better place.

Question 21
If this were your final interview, what’s the one truth you’d leave the world with?

Job well done. I want to know that I’ve fulfilled my purpose and left the world better than I found it.