Jay Shetty is a former Monk who has become an award-winning host, storyteller and viral content creator. At age 18, Jay went to hear a monk speak while living in London. The event shifted his life vision and years later, after studying under that same monk in India, Jay’s life changed again when his teacher encouraged him to return home and leave his monk life. What happened next surprised everyone, including Jay himself.
40 companies that he applied to work at rejected him. Jay said “no one wants to hire you when your resume says “served as monk for three years” under “Experience”. At 26 years old, he was $25,000 in debt and living with his parents. Directionless, depressed and confused about his purpose, Jay needed to find a way. Finally, he started working a corporate job, but wasn’t happy working 80-hour weeks knowing he wasn’t living up to his potential. Jay knew he had more to offer the world, and he wanted to serve. Ten media companies rejected him when he pitched them his mindfulness-based video ideas, and three media executives told him he was too unqualified and too old to have a career in media.
But through hard work, determination, and goal setting, Jay overcame the challenges we all face. Since launching his video channel in 2016, Jay’s viral wisdom videos have garnered over 4 billion views and gained over 20 million followers globally. This makes him one of the most viewed people on the internet internationally. His ‘On Purpose’ podcast brings fascinating conversations with some of the most insightful people in the world straight to viewers all over the world.
Jay recently published his book ‘Think Like a Monk.‘ In this inspiring, empowering book, Shetty draws on his time as a monk in the Vedic tradition to show us how we can clear the roadblocks to our own potential. Drawing on ancient wisdom and his own rich experiences in the ashram, Think Like a Monk reveals how to overcome negative thoughts and habits, and access the calm and purpose that lie within all of us. The lessons monks learn are profound but often abstract. Shetty transforms them into advice and exercises we can all apply to reduce stress, improve focus, improve relationships, identify our hidden abilities, increase self-discipline and give the gifts we find in ourselves to the world. Shetty proves that everyone can and should think like a monk. Order it on Amazon.com
I recently sat down with Jay at Wanderlust Studios in Hollywood. He tells me his goal is to make “wisdom go viral.” Watch the interview below.
