On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Matthew McConaughey didn’t build his life by trying to control every outcome. He built it by learning when to let go and when to trust. Today, Jay sits down with Matthew for a raw, unfiltered exploration of purpose, faith, discipline, and what it really means to live well. It’s an honest conversation about the moments that shape us, and the choices that quietly define who we become. Together, they move through certainty and surrender, ambition and presence, effort and trust. Matthew opens up about his lifelong relationship with achievement and his growing desire to create space for stillness, daydreaming, and reflection. He shares how writing became a way to strip away filters and speak more directly to his truth, and how fatherhood reshaped his understanding of responsibility, humility, and love. Jay and Matthew explore failure as a sign of growth, and how disappointment when met with self-awareness, can teach rather than define us. Together they reveal a powerful insight: growth doesn’t come from trying to perfect ourselves, but from learning how to stay present, curious, and grounded through every season of life. Matthew reflects on the balance between taking responsibility and letting go, between striving for excellence and accepting imperfection. He shares why he believes the world is conspiring to make us happy, not through ease, but through meaning, effort, and alignment. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Trust Life Without Losing Control How to Redefine Success Beyond Achievement How to Learn From Failure Without Shame How to Build Trust Before You Need It How to Stay Present Without Chasing Perfection How to Strengthen Love Through Daily Intention How to Find Meaning When Answers Aren’t Clear Life isn’t asking you to be perfect, it’s asking you to be present. To stay curious. To keep learning. To choose courage over comfort and intention over autopilot. No matter where you are right now, progress is still possible, meaning is still available, and your next step matters. Explore Matthew McConaughey’s reflections on faith, belief, and the human experience in his book Poems & Prayers: http://poemsprayers.com/ With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:16 The Drive for Purpose and Accomplishment 04:23 Living With a Beginner’s Mind 07:20 What Chapter of Life Are You In Right Now? 13:21 Why You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be 16:25 How Your View of Success Shapes Failure 20:39 Humility Means Being Honest With Yourself 23:15 The Power of Consequences 25:47 You Just Need to Take One Step at a Time 30:49 Staying Grounded in Faith Through Real Life Experiences 34:37 Ways to Strengthen Your Spiritual Practice 45:29 What is Truly Fascinating About Being Human? 50:45 Are We Expecting Too Much From Others? 58:57 Where Do You Seek Validation? 01:01:56 Learning to Trust Without Losing Control 01:08:28 When Everything Matters, Nothing Does 01:13:24 A More Realistic Way to Think About Love 01:24:14 Understanding Both Sides of Consequence 01:27:49 Matthew on Final Five Episode Resources: Poems & Prayers | http://poemsprayers.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/officiallymcconaughey/ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChH3PVceKAMkFXHza0PlX_Q X | https://x.com/McConaughey Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MatthewMcConaughey/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@officiallymcconaughey_mSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Jay invites us to rethink everything we’ve been taught about breaking bad habits. Instead of blaming willpower, discipline, or personality traits, he reframes habits as systems shaped by our triggers, emotions, and environments. He explains why most habits aren’t character flaws but subconscious coping strategies designed to provide comfort, escape, or relief. With this approach, we end up battling ourselves instead of breaking the loop that’s actually sustaining the habit. The real shift begins when we stop asking “What’s wrong with me?” and start asking “What is this habit doing for me?” Jay then breaks down the four-part habit loop: trigger, emotion, behavior, and reward and shows how interrupting just one part can collapse the entire pattern. He explains that our environment matters more than motivation and if you want to change a habit, you have to change the cues that trigger it. Rather than quitting habits cold turkey, he encourages replacing the reward with a healthier form of relief, reminding us that the brain will always seek comfort. Through simple, practical examples, he shows how small interruptions, conscious pauses, and thoughtful substitutions can dismantle habits that once felt impossible to break. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Break Bad Habits Without Relying on Willpower How to Identify the Hidden Triggers Fueling Your Habits How to Interrupt the Habit Loop How to Stop Fighting Habits and Start Understanding Them How to Build an Identity That Makes Good Habits Stick How to Use Small Replacements to Create Big Change Every habit you want to change once served a purpose, now you get to decide what serves you going forward. When you become aware of your triggers, redesign your environment, and choose support over struggle, growth becomes lighter and more sustainable. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:34 How Do You Actually Break a Bad Habit? 02:06 You Are Not Your Habits 05:04 The 4-Part Loop that Creates the Habit 07:11 Action #1: Redesign Your Triggers 08:44 Action #2: Replace the Reward not the Habit 11:33 Action #3: Interrupt the Loop In Real Time 12:48 Action #4: Build a New Identity Around Your Choices 15:00 The #1 Mistake in Breaking Habits 15:51 90-Day Habit Breakup BlueprintSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Honnold doesn’t climb to feel alive, he climbs because, in those moments, life finally feels simple. Today, Jay sits down with world-renowned climber Alex Honnold to explore what truly lies behind fear, focus, and extraordinary achievement. Alex shares how his relationship with fear has been shaped not by a lack of it, but by years of consistent exposure, revealing that courage isn’t about being fearless, but about learning how to listen, respond, and stay present. Jay and Alex dive into the discipline behind seemingly impossible feats: visualization, preparation, and intentional living. Alex opens up about how he mentally rehearses climbs in vivid detail, not by imagining success alone, but by walking through every sensation, risk, and possibility. This process, he explains, allows him to stay calm and grounded when it matters most. Jay draws parallels to meditation, public speaking, and everyday challenges, showing how the same principles of visualization, presence, and focus can help anyone face intimidating moments with clarity and confidence. Beyond climbing, Alex shows his other self, a husband, father, and friend who values simplicity, purpose, and service. From building a foundation that brings solar energy to communities in need to choosing joy over ego-driven success, Alex embodies a life guided by intention rather than external validation. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Build Calm by Facing Fear How to Train Your Mind Before You Act How to Stay Focused When the Stakes Are High How to Normalize Fear Instead of Fighting It How to Use Visualization for Peak Performance How to Know Your Limits Without Losing Ambition How to Build Mastery Through Consistent Practice You don’t need to chase danger or push yourself to the edge to grow. Growth happens when you prepare with intention, focus on what’s in front of you, and stop letting imagined outcomes hold you back. Watch Alex Honnold free-solo the 101-story Skyscraper, Taipei 101 live on Netflix on January 23rd. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:27 The Deeper Reason Behind Climbing the Tallest Building 04:11 Choosing an Unconventional Path 06:58 Why Consistent Practice Changes Everything 09:28 What It Really Takes to Become Great 11:51 Lessons From Getting Lost 13:41 Why Fear Loses Its Power Over Time 17:00 Understanding Fear as a Physical Sensation 20:42 The Discipline of Staying Within Your Limits 22:41 What Extended Meditation Teaches You 25:55 Preparing the Mind and Body for a Big Challenge 28:51 How High Performers Actually Train 33:03 Being Intentional About the Risks You Take 34:42 Why Visualization Is a Performance Tool 38:36 Imagining the Process, Not Just the Outcome 42:32 Nature vs. Nurture: What Shapes Us Early in Life 45:58 Perfectionism, Pressure, and Letting Go 47:21 Daily Habits That Support Peak Performance 50:54 Bringing an Adventurous Mindset Into Everyday Life 53:48 Handling the Pressure Before a Defining Moment 56:49 The Climb That Redefined Human Potential 58:54 What Truly Matters When Choosing a Life Partner 01:03:31 Spotlighting People Protecting the Planet 01:03:31 What They're Doing at Planet Visionaries 01:06:07 A Letter for Alex 01:14:10 Alex on Final Five Episode Resources: Website | https://www.alexhonnold.com/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/alexhonnold Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/AlexHonnold/ YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwqnNQOiZzpPNazMN0cBAzw Planet Visionaries | https://podcasts.apple.com/kg/podcast/planet-visionaries-season-5/id1572495128 Honnold Foundation | https://www.honnoldfoundation.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Jay sits down with Tony Robbins, world-renowned life and business strategist, bestselling author, and one of the most influential voices in personal development, for a conversation that goes far beyond motivation and into the mechanics of real change. Together, they explore why so many people feel stuck in their lives, emotionally, professionally, and spiritually and how that feeling is often rooted not in lack of ability, but in delayed or avoided decisions. Jay and Tony challenge modern ideas around comfort, self-care, and success. Tony shares why growth, not ease, is the true source of confidence and fulfillment, and why discipline and commitment build self-trust in ways comfort never can. Jay guides the discussion toward the balance between the science of achievement and the art of fulfillment, showing how success without meaning can feel empty, while meaning without action can leave people frustrated and stuck. Through practical frameworks, real-life stories, and honest reflection, the episode reframes discomfort as a necessary part of becoming who you’re meant to be. Together they explore how purpose evolves over time, why contribution gives life its deepest meaning, and how fulfillment comes from growing and giving, not just achieving. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Stop Feeling Stuck by Making One Clear Decision How to Build Confidence Through Difficult Choices How to Create Clarity Without Waiting for Certainty How to Grow Instead of Chasing Comfort How to Strengthen Self-Trust Through Discipline How to Design a Life That Keeps You Growing If you’re feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or stuck right now, let this be a reminder that nothing has gone wrong. You don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. You only need the courage to take the next step, even if it feels uncomfortable. Learn more and get your ticket at timetorisesummit.com With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:10 Make Decisions To Feel Unstuck 04'47 The Ability To See Beyond Your Present Moment 08:00 The Trial & Error Method Of Decision Making 10:50 Start With Small Decisions To Gain Momentum 11:50 Decision Making Isn't A One-step Process 13:33 Decision Vs Commitment 17:31 Decision Making Is A Continual Process 21:10 6 Steps To Help You Make Important Decisions 25:57 Tony Robbins On Spirituality & Manifestation 29:45 Philosophy Vs Strategy 31:31 The Science Of Achievement 33:13 The Art Of Fulfillment 36:47 Success Without Fulfillment 38:38 The Statistics On Mental Health For Gen Z 40:40 Fulfillment Looks Different For Everyone 43:13 Comfort Comes From Fulfillment 46:02 Self Esteem Development Depends On You 47:55 Differences Between Growth & Hustle 49:30 You Can Have Multiple Purposes In Life 51:08 Tony Robbins On Being A Dad In His 20s & 60s 01:03:06 Would Life Matter If We Had Everything? 01:05:07 Time To Rise Summit 01:07:51 Tony Robbins On God & Relationship Episode Resources: Tony Robbins | Website Tony Robbins | Instagram Tony Robbins | Facebook Tony Robbins | YouTube Tony Robbins | TikTok Tony Robbins | LinkedIn Tony Robbins | XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is about starting the year with clarity, by letting go of what no longer fits and building systems that support who you’re becoming. Jay explores why most resolutions fade and explains that real change doesn’t come from wishing harder or relying on motivation, but from aligning your inner world with structures that support the life you want to live. He shares how unfinished emotional chapters from the past year can quietly sabotage new beginnings, and why consciously closing one season is essential before stepping into the next. By releasing what no longer serves you, you create the mental and emotional space needed to move forward with focus and intention, rather than carrying old weight into a new year. Instead of fixating on rigid goals, Jay encourages choosing a single word to guide your energy, one that reflects who you’re becoming, not just what you want to achieve. He reframes success as an inside-out process, emphasizing growth over outcomes and systems over wishlists. From designing habits that match your vision to shaping an environment that makes discipline easier, he shows how manifestation becomes practical when your daily actions, calendar, and beliefs are aligned. In this episode, you'll learn: How to Let Go of What’s Still Holding You Back How to Focus on Growth Instead of Goals How to Build Systems That Make Success Inevitable How to Design Your Environment for Better Habits How to Work With Fear Instead of Fighting It How to Become the Person Your Dreams Require As you step into this next chapter, remember that real change isn’t created in a single moment of motivation, it’s built through small, intentional choices made consistently. You just need to be willing to show up, learn, and keep moving forward even when it feels uncomfortable. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:55 How to Manifest Your Dreams in 2026 02:21 Step #1: End Before You Begin 05:22 Step #2: Choose a Word Not a Goal 06:53 Step #3: Create a System Not a Wishlist 08:47 Step #4: Upgrade Your Environment 11:23 Step #5: Break the All or Nothing Cycle 12:17 Step #6: Use Emotional Visualization 14:27 Step #7: Work with Resistance Not Against It 15:29 Step #8: Build Public Accountability 16:56 Step #9: Use Gratitude as Fuel not Fluff 17:32 Step #10: Become the Kind of Person Your Dream RequiresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.