Atlantis McNeil | Lifestyle Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Atlantis McNeil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Atlantis, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Authenticity. Social media has allowed so many people to be who they want to be. Often times, who they portray is not who they really are off screen. I try to be as authentic as possible when sharing my story. Some things aren’t pretty, but it makes me relatable and I’m able to grow my audience because in many facets, they feel like they’re not alone.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Initially I created a lifestyle blog because I love to write. I usually use writing as an expressive outlet. Sometimes I have thoughts that I pen and think that the world could benefit from what I have to say. And so, the lifestyle blog was formed. I think what sets me apart is that I try not to filter myself. Sometimes my blog posts end up being personal journals that I share with others so they can be very personal. I think this sets me apart. In a world where so many are concerned with how they’ll appear to others, I try to neglect that thought process when I write.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to hike. We’d start off the trip with an early morning hike near the city at Vickery Creek Trail to see the waterfall. We’d stop for lunch at Buttermilk Kitchen. We’d have to head over to Edgewood and Reynoldstown to flick it up by some of the murals created by dope street artists. We’d also have take a stroll down the belt line. One evening we’d hit up Clues and Cocktails in the Sweet Auburn area of the city for great drinks and a cool twist on an escape room. We’d make a New Orleans style cuisine at Irwin Street Cooking school and catch some live music and cocktails at The Establishment in midtown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a really tight circle that is inclusive of my mother, brother, my boyfriend and best friends. They have all been integral in me spreading my wings. They’ve allowed me to be authentically me even when I was so unsure of myself. They all created spaces for me to flourish, and encouraged me even when I thought I would fail. Without them, many of my ideas would probably still be in my notebook.