Big Sean's Manifestation Mantra: Why You Need to Stop Chasing and Start Attracting

Every day I wake up, I'm one day closer. to death. So, what you going to do with. the time you got left? Six time Grammy. nominee. Big Sean. One of the biggest blessings is going. through a time where you are feeling at. your lowest or depressed or whatever the. feeling is because that is just. confirmation that you're not in. alignment and that you're meant for. something different, something greater. What's the difference between attracting. energy and chasing energy? Oh, boy.

The number one health and wellness. podcast. Jay Shetty. Jay Shetty. The. one, the only Jay Shetty. Please welcome my dear friend, someone. that I believe is so inspiring, deeply. insightful, philosophical, a guide, a. teacher, a leader, Big Sean. Man, brother, thank you for having me. You. know, first of all, I just got to say. Jay though, I'm so proud of you, man. Even even since our first interview,

like, of course you did you sparked the. idea of me writing a book, but not I'm. not making it about me, bro. You've. interviewed the president, man. You've. interviewed like the you have gone to. the moon and back. There was a part of. the book where I said like. the mental health space and you know, like that that space is dominated by a. certain crowd, bro. You are dominating. this space and I just got to say. it's it's deeper than that. It's. wellness. It's all of it and I just got. to say I'm super proud of you, man. Like. very, very proud of you. I know like.

where you come from. I know your. journey. I know how you grew up. You. know, I know the household you came from. and I just got to say, man, I'm very. proud of you and I see I see like so. much for you and you're still so young. and you still so have so much to offer. So, thank you so much, man. Oh, man, the feeling feeling is mutual. and honestly, it was people like. yourself who came on the show so early. and trusted the space, opened up,

and made it a safe space for so many. that followed you as well. And so, I. have to give you a lot of credit back. because you came on the show when it was. so much smaller. We were starting out. But, it was people like yourself who who. trusted me, trusted the space. And I'm. so proud of you for putting this book. together because, you know, you've manifested. success. And when I spent time with you today, and I see you with Renee, and I see you. talking about Noah, I also feel you've manifested happiness.

And I think those two things are very. different. And so, I wanted to ask you, what's been. different about manifesting success, career, profession, and then manifesting. happiness? One of the things about. success is you have to define what your. idea of success is. You know, I don't. think if like, say somebody had a. billion dollars, I wouldn't say that. he's more successful than me. I would. just say he has more money than me. And. I think that's the power of separation. Uh we tie so many things into.

definition, right? Success to me. is a feeling of it's an emotion. It's. something that when your purpose is. activated and you are impacting people. in any way, shape, or form. There's so. many ways to impact people, right? Now, there are byproducts of success. Like, money can be a byproduct of. success, you know, if when you do. something. and it you create a supply and demand, you get paid for it. But, I don't think.

because you make money that you're. successful. You know what I'm saying? And I don't think, you know, there's a. lot of things that you could tie to. that. Just like I don't think just. because if your life isn't going the way. you are, that doesn't mean that you let. that make you unhappy. Those are two. separate things. It's really the power. of separation. So, for me, success is a feeling, and And when my. purpose is activated. So, I remember I. did an interview and they asked, you. know, successful talking about success and I. said, "Well, I'm not the most successful. person in the world." Then I was like, "Well, maybe I am actually because.

I love so many aspects of my life and. I'm living in. uh the life that I've always dreamed of, you know, uh times 10. I I only wanted to have a. song on the radio and like. a platinum song and bro, I've sold 185. million records or something crazy. I've. like taken care of my mom, my dad, a lot. of people and. s- lived 10 lifetimes already, so. everything is just been sprinkles on. top. So, to me, success.

is really activating your purpose. and happiness is something that you can. choose instantly. Your happiness is something that you. could choose instantly and it's. something that I learned the hard way. because when I have. fallen into like a dark time, you know, we all go through these ups and downs. When I've been down bad and like the. depression comes in, the anxiety comes. in, the self-sabotage comes in, and you can hold on to these things and.

they will. they they will stick with you your whole. life. You have to decide to let them go. And I And that's one of the things I. talk about in the book. A lot of people. don't may not know how to do that and. there are a lot of ways, but one of the. first ways is to choose how you feel. You're in control of that. And it's. easier said than done because when. things aren't going your way, you're. pissed off at everybody. You're like. blaming everything. Well, first of all, you have to quit blaming everything else. and realize that you're a magnet. You're. magnetizing your whole world to you, you.

know? So, if that's the case, obviously. you switch it to an emotion that. resonates with you more of how at least. how you desire to feel, right? And you. can choose that and I'm telling you, your whole experience will change. So, happiness is something you can choose. immediately. Yeah, one thing that stood. out to me listening to you was the power. of separation. I've never heard it like. that before. Yeah. And I really like. that term because we have to learn to. separate society's views and our views.

We have to learn to separate, as you. said, our definition of success and other. people's definition of success. And separate what you control and what. you can't control. And how So, how do we. develop the power of separation? What. What does it take to cultivate that. within ourselves to have that ability. because I feel most of us don't practice. the power of separation. Well, it's. being is just the recognition to me. One of the. biggest blessings.

in your life. is growing pains. One of the biggest blessings is going. through a time where you are feeling at. your lowest or depressed or whatever the. feeling is because. that is just confirmation that you're. not in alignment and that you're meant. for something different or you're meant. for something more, something greater. You know, if you were satisfied with. where you're at, then that's just is. what it is and you know, you probably. wouldn't even be depressed. But because. you are, because you feel a certain way.

or like you're not all the way there, that is just confirmation that you are. truly, truly meant for more. or something different. So, to me, I. think that when you recognize. uh okay, you know, once you start. recognizing things of that nature, you. could say, "Okay, what's the first step. of getting out of this?" And so, that's. part of the book. I say, you know, accepting where you are. That doesn't. mean you have to like. you have to like stay there. That just. means accepting the blessings and all.

the things that come along with where. you are. to open up space for more. And you're. letting go of all the baggage that is is. holding and weighing you down. I used to. be like that. I used to be like when. things don't go my way, I'm terrible. Oh, this doesn't happen the way I wanted. it to or the way I saw it, you know, my. whole mood is shot, right? And I'm not. not to say that things don't affect me. when they don't go my way, but I have. the armor on now. I know how to deal. with it. I know how to get over it and. get back to it. Mhm. That's how a lot of my heroes deal.

with things, too. You know, when you. think uh of like a Denzel Washington, like say he has a new movie out. Say the movie does amazing and it's. incredible and he wins an Oscar. Say the. movie comes out and it bombs or it. doesn't do as well. He he's not going to. give up and quit. It's not going to ruin. his life. He's going to move on to the. next thing and sep- and and use that to. the power of separation to me, you know, that's a real thing. Yeah, I you. reminded me of I love Denzel, too, so. Yeah, I know. You you reminded me of I.

can't speak for Denzel. That's just like. an example of something. Yeah, yeah, yeah, of what you're. perceiving. Yeah. I remember my football coach. growing up gave me this piece of advice. Mhm. and it's stayed with me ever since. then. He would say to us, if you lose, cry for a night. Yeah. And he goes, if. you win, celebrate for a night, mhm, but. then get back to training. That's right. So, if you lose, cry for a night, but. then get back to training. And if you. win, celebrate for a night and get back. to training. It was always about getting.

back to training the next day. Yeah. He was like, you can't just sit. there and cry for a week. Mhm. or cry for a month. And you can't, in the same way, celebrate for a month. You can't just live off your past. success. That's right. Get back to training and I love that. mindset. Someone was asking me. mindset almost, right? Yeah, yeah, fish go on. You know, I know. you got a chance to talk to Kobe before. and um I've actually got a chance to. talk to him as well and. you know, he's he's incredible and his. mindset was something that I admire so.

much and I I got a chance to talk to him. literally. a few months before he passed. and he was just telling me about how he. meditates and what it does for him, right? And I just resonated with that so. much. It's really It's really cool. because we all are reflections of each. other, not just me and you or whoever. It's like. everyone that's in your vicinity, in. your environment, is a reflection of a. you or a part of you, even if you like. them or don't like them, you know? And it's something to. recognize that we are all.

interconnected. After you go down to the. layers of it, right? You get past the. singularity of like career, the uh you know, family, house, this and. that. We're all You go really deep. inside and we're all very similar. We're. all the same. We We We have the same. system of order of operations, you know? And it's really a a true testament of we. all are Everything physical is made of. that same I don't know what you want to. call it, prana or love, energy. And as.

I've gotten older in my life, I see the. similarities. I have friends that are. in their 60s, 70s, you know? I have. friends that are all races and things, and I see myself in all of them. And I. think that's something to recognize um. in such a world of separation. I know that kind of is like a far reach. from talking about the interaction with. Kobe, but it's just it's just crazy how. in everyone that I've been meeting. lately, and even just from growing up. that I've seen,

it's like a mirror almost in a lot of. ways. Every day I wake up, I'm one day. closer to death. So, what you going to. do with the time you got left? I always. say that's a business you'll never be. successful at is the business of trying. to please everyone. And then and when. you do please everyone, it's like, are. you pleasing yourself? I can't control. what people think of me, their. perceptions of me, and when I try and. control that, it takes me off of my path. that I'm on or I need to go. Talking. about Kobe,

I think what resonated with me most. about him is that he was at peace in. retirement. Mhm. And athletes who are. retired don't always find peace because. naturally it was so important to be on. the field. Right. Right. And so no judgement towards anyone, but. it's so hard to not be on the court. anymore. Mhm. And not miss it and want to be. there. And he had found a new purpose. And that's the most interesting thing is. that you don't get to peace by.

pursuing it and you don't get to peace. by trying to pursue more prizes and more. wins. Yeah. You get to peace by finding your purpose. and that's what he did. Mhm. And so I want to talk about in your. book cuz you really give people these. five practices. Yeah. Yeah. And I want to give people a. game plan, a road map today in our. interview so that when they read the. book. Yeah. they can kind of connect the dots. between things you've said today. And I. want everyone to go out and grab a copy. of the book because I really feel it. simplifies Mhm. I feel like so much of.

this space is like mystical, complex. Yeah. Like and and it can take a long. time, but what you've done is you've. really demystified in Go Higher, your. book, the pathway to get there. Yeah. And and I love that you start at accept. Mhm. because I think even though it's a. hard step, it's such an important step. This idea that your journey only begins. when you accept that where you are is. your starting point. Mhm. That your experiences made you. exactly who you're meant to be with the. skills, the talents, the gifts. So if.

someone's sitting and listening and. going, "Sean, that's so hard for me to. accept that I am where I need to be. because my life's just been full of. you know, the worst horrible, difficult. things. How do I accept and start from. there? Mhm. What would you say to them? I would say. that I I understand some people's lives. are not ideal. I'm someone who. has seen that, experienced that, can. relate to that first hand, and what I.

can say is that when you accept it, that. doesn't mean. that. you are giving up. Those are two different things. Accepting it just means, "Okay, I'm ready to go somewhere else. And I'm. thankful for all the the all that this. has taught me, all that this has brought. me. I accept where I'm at, but I know. I'm made for something else. I know I'm. made to go to go higher, right? But no, but really I'm made to to be.

somewhere else in the world, some you. know, and I think that until you accept. that, you can't move forward because. you're just in the middle of it. And I. think when you accept something, that's. how you get ahead of it. Yeah. Yeah, I I agree. I feel like. it's the resistance to acceptance. Mhm. that blocks us. Exactly. Right? It's like when we're fighting, yeah, when we're fighting, we're going in the opposite direction. It's like it's telling you it's going in. this direction. Mhm. And you're trying to force it to go. in the other direction, and that's.

what's causing tension. And accepting it. means, like you said, not that you're. giving up and you're like, "All right, well, I'll just do what you want." It's. going, "No, this is how it's flowing. Mhm. Now, what am I going to do?". There's always a like thread of where. you are to where you desire to be at, no. matter on what situation. There's never. not a way. Or else you wouldn't feel it, or else. you wouldn't be have a desire for it. But it wouldn't even be in your. consciousness. You know what I mean? Like I don't have a desire to go to. Saturn because I'm that's just not in my.

thing, right? But. I have a desire to the things that I've. had a desire to, I always knew that. there was a way. So always know that, no. matter what opportunity you're in, against the impossible odds, or against odds, you know, whatever it. is, you always have your way to get to. where you are. There's always a thread. leading you. And there are maybe. multiple threads. So, never be down and. out and think that it's impossible. It's. really not. I mean. Mission Impossible is is a movie that.

where he defines impossible missions, you know? But my point is is like. there's nothing that's impossible for. you. It's all meant for you. And it's it's up to you. You know, one. of my favorite quotes is every day I. wake up, I'm one day closer to death. So, what you going to do with the time. you got left? It's like understand that. this is. our time right now. The moment is now. These moments we only have the moment. So, a lot of us live in the future and a. lot of us live in the past. And that's.

something that we have to get out of the. habit of. And I think when you accept. where you are, you're kind of letting go. of that and making an action plan to. putting your attention on your. intention. And you of course you have a. idea where you would like to be, but God. doesn't always give us what we want. God. gives us what we need. And sometimes. those are the same thing and sometimes. they're not. And. it it all works out, you know? Yeah, for. sure. What what's the uh. you know, when you're manifesting as. we're talking about this like finding. your path, what's the difference between.

attracting energy and chasing energy? Oh, boy. Attracting energy and chasing energy, well, like I said, uh when you're chasing something, you're. already implementing the energy of. it running away from you. You know what I mean? And I'm not saying you can't get it, but. it's a lot of effort to chase something. It's like even police on a high-speed. chase, it's like they might have to. crash into other cars and they're. chasing you. And when you attract.

something, it's uh you are using the powers that. have been granted to you from God, universe, whatever you call it or. believe in, of. it magnetizing to you. And you have that. power. It's been the power that's been. you know, we use it on a level on small. levels every day. Even if you just said. in the say, "Hey, I'm today I need to. take a shower." That's literally you set. a goal, you did it, it's done. You can do that on a scale of anything.

that that happens. And some things may. take a lot more time than others. You know, we all we have these ideas and. expectations we set for ourselves, but. that's on us. Mhm. You know, that's our. ego sometimes. That's our. our you know, wants and desires and our. minds sometimes getting the best of us. And I think that things do take time, but there's always a way. And. you know, it's you can never count. yourself out. Mhm. What's been the most difficult thing.

you've ever had to accept? The most. difficult thing that I've ever had to. accept is that I the things that I can't. control. Mhm. I used to let the things that I can't. control control me. Give me an example, like. how someone perceives your art. Mhm. As an artist, like Erykah Badu says, we're emotional about our you. know? I think she said something like. that. Yeah. That never changes. But you can't.

control how someone perceives you, you. know? All you can do is put. First of all, to make something, to. write something, to. have an idea and then actualize it is. like that is really the win for real. I'm not just saying that like that is. like, come on. You know what I mean? You. literally manifested something. How. people consume it, if you impact anyone, you that's. literally a a bonus to it, you know? That's why we do it, but that's. that's you're literally changing the.

world. So, that one thing I've had to. accept is like yeah, how people. like I can't control what people think. of me, their perceptions of me. And when. I try and control that it takes me off. of my path that I'm on. of where I need to go. Yeah. You know? So, that's been that's that's. that is something hard and you have to. separate like that said that power of. separation of. um. doing what you love to do and not tied. it into how people perceive it. Those.

are two separate things. Which is so. hard. It is. It's so hard, isn't it? And and I loved. what you said that. when you get fixated on what other. people think of you Mhm. you're just. getting distracted from your path. Of. course. you're placing energy on and then you. might even shift what you're doing to. try and appease them and then they still. won't like it. Mhm. And that's the craziest part, right? You do what you want Mhm. and. they don't like it. Yeah. And then you do what they want and. they still don't like it. And then you don't know who you are.

anymore and no one likes it and you. don't like it either. Yeah. end up not liking yourself trying to get. everyone else to like you. And that's. where you don't want to be at. And that's where you don't want to be. at. And then you're kind of like back to. a square one you know, position of like. okay, having to reestablish yourself and. you know, you got to be right with. yourself first. So, you you you nailed it right on the. head, man. It's like. you know, you can't you can't really do. you live your life for other people. I always say that's a business you'll. never be successful at is the business.

of trying to please everyone. And then. and when you do please everyone, it's. like are you pleasing yourself? It's a. hard it's a hard lesson as well for. people because. It is. we all naturally want to make the people. around us happy and and our childhood. has so much to do with that. Mhm. You know, we were speaking a bit earlier. and I was talking about how like I was. the peacemaker in my family. I was the. mediator. Yeah. I was the person. one. As a young. As a as a 10-year-old. Wow. And so I was. always trying to. keep the peace Mhm. and listen to people.

and understand them and Mhm. understand. what was going on and so I always had to. read in between the lines, and I always. had to have a great sense of when. something was going to kick off, and how. to and I wasn't trying to make peace in. the sense of like everyone just got to. get along. Mhm. I was always trying to. get to the root of it and go, "What. healing's needed here?" And I don't. know, I just always did that. And You know what's You know what's. special about that, man? Is that um. I think that we choose our parents. before, you know, I think as spirits we.

choose our parents. It's just what I. believe, right? It's just a concept that. I believe. And some people be like, "Well, that's I. was in a family where it wasn't easy. This I would have never chosen that.". But you don't understand that. you know, to be one of the billion of sperm that. make it into the egg and come sexual. like you really fought to be in this. world, right? And. I truly believe that God doesn't give. you what you want. God gives you what. you need, first and foremost. And you.

don't know how the development There are. some people who need a nurturing family. that's perfect, right? And then there. are some people who actually learn. maybe even more and become more of a a a. positive force for the world to change. it by learning. of what not to do from their parents. directly all the time, or not all the. time, but like in certain situations, you know? So, I just think that you. know, you being the mediator you you. were you were on a course. You were. learning at such a young age of things.

to apply or what not to apply to your. marriage. And the fact that you were. that, cuz we talked about it off camera, the fact that you were a mediator, the. fact that you were that for your family. at such a young age, it's just. incredible. Because look at the path. that has led you to. Man, you're impacting everybody, man. You're impacting like the world, you. know, and me and families, and you're. really changing it with like the the. person you are and the heart that you. have have, you know? So, wow. I'm just I.

just got to pay my respect to you. No, you're too kind, man. I I got lucky. I met good men I feel like. important people we've talked about in. previous interviews when you've come on. about your mother's role in your life. Oh, yeah. And and how pivotal she was. And for me, my monk teachers you met Radhanath. Swami. Yeah. When when he came to my. studio in Jamaica came over a couple of. years back. Amazing. And you met him and meeting him. was so pivotal to my whole spiritual. journey. Yeah, look at this, man. Look. at this, man. Come on. Yeah. That's. Radhi's genius. She's. She's She's super smart when it comes to.

figuring out how to help people. But I. was going to ask you I mean talking. about kids picking their parents. Noah. picked you? Yeah, he did. Talk talk to us about how fatherhood has. transformed your views on the learning. experience of what you've learned from. fatherhood that you couldn't have. learned from anything else. Well, when. you have a kid and you see them and they. look like you and they look like their. mom, you see that they smile like you or. smile like her how you know, you see all. these things and you realize, okay, and. then they kind of look like.

my brother and they kind of look like. her granddad and her you know, all these. different family members, right? And. you're like, this is really crazy and. he'll do something that is like. reminiscent of what you used to do, right? So, then I realized that, okay, the DNA is like a computer. It's information that gets passed on. on and on and on, right? So, you're. really the culmination of a whole. lineage, right? In in you. So, one of the things that I learned from. him. cuz there are times in my life where I'm.

like, man, I wish I could talk to my. grandma. You know, my grandma was a. female black captain in World War II, man. She was crazy. She was an. incredible. And like I my or my. granddad, they met in World War II, right? Or like I wish I could like I'll. be like, man, I wish I could like speak. to them or like get advice from them. now, you know? Wow. I've only known them as a little kid and. then I realized that the information is. already in me. All I have to do is just. go deeper within. and really it with that. And that's. something that I learned from my son. being born.

Somehow that clicked is like. he is the culmination of our lineage. All the DNA from my side, from his mom's. side, and so on and so forth. And he's he got he's got something. special going on. So, that's one thing I. learned. And another thing I learned is. to go back to the simplistic beauties of. life. We're on walks out in nature. He's. so fascinated with like. the flowers and the birds and like just. like oh this this or that or bug be, you.

know. He's like. And it just is it giving me a whole new. excitement for that. Yeah. And I really. appreciate him for teaching me. I feel. like he's teaching me as much as we. teach him. I feel like he's teaching all of us a. lot as well. And he's also teaching all. of us that like. hey. we can be happy right now. He's he's. like even if he's like distraught or. something, he'll go do something and be. happy right there. He chooses it and I. love that. Man, I'm so glad I asked you. asked you that question because I knew.

you'd have such a deep answer for it. Like your answer the first part of it. the idea that. your child has all of that within. Like. you were just saying you wish you could. talk to your grandparents. Yeah. Which I wish I could interview. your grandparents. I mean, that sounds. like a phenomenal Yeah, thank you. journey and story to hear about it. And. I want to know how much more you know. about what they did or how much you. don't. Mhm. But I love the idea that we. actually have it encapsulated within us. Mhm. Like it's coded in us. It is. And even if we're unaware of it. And I.

was. talking to a researcher the other day. I. was doing some research for my next. book. And she was talking to me. We were. finding this research that was talking. about how when kids are told their. ancestral stories. Mhm. they have a much deeper sense of. belonging. Yeah. And so the reason why. so many of us feel so lost today is. we've never told deep stories. Mhm. about where our parents come from, where our grandparents come from, what. they went through. Not in a way to make. us feel like a victim or a feel at a.

disadvantage, but to hear a story from. the perspective of this is your. heritage. Yeah. And then you feel like you belong. to something so much more bigger and. beyond you. Mhm. Whereas most of us are. just like, oh yeah, I'm from West. Hollywood or whatever, right? It's like. it's such a like, you know, it's like a. it's like a temporary residence. But like when you know you belong to. something eternal, like I was talking to. the researcher, I was saying that in my. life. the things that have helped me the most.

when I'm going through a tough time, a. difficult time, a a real low Mhm. is. recognizing that I'm part of a. 5,000-year-old tradition. So when I'm. repeating the Gita, which is a. 5,000-year-old scripture, which is the. text I learned as a monk. Mhm. when I realize I'm connected to. that lineage. I feel unstoppable. Yeah. Because I'm. like that survived for 5,000 years, I'm. going to be all right. Like I'm going to. be okay. Right. Whereas when you just think like, oh man, I've, you know, I've just been.

on the planet for like 30 years and I'm. trying to figure it out, it it can feel. quite uncomfortable. Facts. And so I. love what you're saying that actually. inside your son Noah there is the coding. Yeah. of his grandparents. It is in all of us. It's like time. traveling. People always try and figure. out how to preserve themselves. You know. this expression, oh I'm living through. my kids or I'm living you that's real. I. realized how much power these simple. expressions have. Tell me more, I like. this. Like communication can save a. nation or like, you know, but like yeah,

I really feel like. we always try and think like oh there's. not enough time, there's not enough. time. There's a real. real real truth to I'm living through my. kids or whoever whoever you choose to. I. don't even think it has to be your kids. I think that. your blood, your lineage, it's like you. really are. you really do time travel, you know? A. thousand years from now, there may be. some. descendants that look like us. Mhm. You.

know, or like slight You know, you'll be. like, "Oh, you You know, I I look like. my dad's dad.". You do? Yeah. Yeah. I've never met him, you know? He. unfortunately passed, you know, when I. was super little, and I never even met. him. But, he's a part of me, too. And I. think that's also why it's important to. work on yourself and to heal. certain traumatic experiences because. with all this information we pass on, you also pass on. the the good and the bad, you know what.

I mean? So, you know, you you heal. things health-wise and you heal things. traumatic-wise, you know, or. trauma-wise, and. you know, it's really important to work. on yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually because you. pass on all of that Mhm. as well. Just. because you understand something doesn't. mean you have to accept it. And that's. something that I had to learn the hard. way. When you feel like you're all over. the place and things aren't happening, sometimes you just need a little bit of. structure and strategy to jump-start it.

and build a foundation to build on. You. do have to set your boundaries and. respect who you are because you will. lose a sense of yourself by trying to. take care of everyone else. You will. lose a sense of yourself if you don't. set these boundaries. That's what's so. interesting, right? Like, within you you. have the coding of the greatness Yeah. and the heritage, and you have the. coding of Yeah. the unhealed generational trauma that. keeps being passed down. What was What. was something you had to look at. in your background and past.

generationally, traumatically. that wasn't healed that you were like, "I'm not going to pass this to Noah. Like, this has to stop this time.". Wow, so many things. So many like. uh. worry one thing. I used to worry so. much, create all of these scenarios in. my head. And I think that's like a double-edged. sword, you know, when you have an. imagination. and you're creative, you create, right? So, you can create good, you could. create bad, but there there the one of.

the experience that life has taught me. is to never worry. No matter what, you're going to be fine, you know? I think one of my biggest. fears used to be like, what if I lose. everything, right? And what if I have to. go back to, you know, growing up in Detroit in the. hood, blah, blah, blah, and I and then. it's just like, well, I was I could I. was happy there, too. Like, I shouldn't. be scared to lose any of this stuff. because this stuff is conditional. And it's like, I'm going to be good. wherever I'm at. I remember when I. talked to Sadhguru, I was like, "Where's.

your favorite place in the world?" He's. like, "Wherever I'm at." And I was like, "Damn.". You know? So, it kind of goes back to. that that like, that's one of the things. I don't want to pass on to my son. I was. like, "You never have to worry, you. know? And you know, you could you could. be fueled, you could let something. inspire you to be greater, you could let. something light a fire under you, but. like, don't ever worry because you. have what it takes to to get to wherever. you got to get to, you know?". Yeah, yeah. How do How do How do you. kind of imprint that in a young child?

Like, how how do you You do you imprint. that in a young child by building up his. confidence. Mhm. And that's one of the. things I love about my boy is like, he's. so confident. He's like, you know, I never am like, that's. something that I want to keep feeding. him. Um, even on the song I wrote about him on my. album, I said, "I see my inner child in. him is still the remnants. Will he lose. it to the world is it imminent, or is it. something that me and his mom have. instilled in him? And the confidence you. lose, you could build again." Oh, so.

so good. Yeah, and. like, I would just want to water that. I think that when I was kid my my mom. and my dad came up in like a civil. rights moment in the country. Like my. mom had to drink from like a different. water fountain. You know, my my family has been through. a lot. My mom's great aunt, who was like a old. woman. my mom would go visit her in North. Carolina, was born a slave. So, that. just goes to show you how close that.

that lineage is, too, right? It's like. it kind of feels like it's so far away, but it's not. She was an old woman and my mom was a. baby, but my mom is alive now, so the. connection of that is like few and far. between. My point being is that. my mom and my dad did the best that they. could, but they came from a era where. they had to really be. don't be too loud, be controlled, don't. do get out of line. Like, you know, my. mom would be like, "When you get pulled. over, like make sure your hat is off and.

like you they see your face and you be. respectful." And. and I think there's a lot to that, but. it was it was coming from a little bit. of a of a fear-based place sometimes. And that's something that I've. recognized and that's something that my. mom has helped me recognize, too, through all of the knowledge she's given. me and my dad. But, like. one of the things I want to pass on to. him is that like be confident in who you. are because you have what it takes. He. has you could already tell he has a. great heart. He has a great spirit. He.

loves making trying to make people. laugh, you know. Not even at 2 years. old, he was like before like 1 year old. like telling, you know, trying to like. make you smile and it's just like. just want to keep watering that. confidence in him, you know. Yeah, yeah. And and that confidence kind of talks. nicely to the second practice in your. book. You talk about strategizing. And. I love that you went there because I. think a lot of people see spirituality. and strategy as opposite opposites or Or.

separate them. Right. And I know we've. always vibed on the fact that to me they. go hand in hand. Absolutely. Because strategy is just intentionality. in action. What's right. Right? Like. that's that's what it is. Strategy is. intent intentionality in action. I love. that. Right. Yeah, so you have intention and. then you get activated around an. intention and that's how you strategize. But I think often people think strategy. has to be conniving or like some sort of. manipulation or. Right. But but that's not what you mean. So when you say we need to get.

strategic, Mhm. how do we build the skill of. becoming strategic and what does it. mean? Well, I think you recognize like. you said is just um strategy to me. is the key to. getting is is one of the keys to move. from where you are to where you. have to be because you identify. where you desire to be because you. identify so much and you get to. you get to research, you get to plot and. plan. Nothing you know, nothing.

that is really amazing in life. is uh. doesn't come without a plan. You know. what I mean? Uh there are a lot of. spontaneous things and I do believe in. the energy of spontaneity and like but. uh strategizing to me is so important. and there's so many ways to do it, you. know, you could like study someone. from afar. That's kind of one of the. beauties of the internet is like you can. kind of study and know someone you.

really respect or you may have someone. in your family or you may have someone. in your neighborhood or you may have. someone but even say it's someone from. across the world that you really. respect, you can study a lot of their. um what they have put out in the world. and sometimes that's all you need. There. have been times where when you get to. know someone fully, you might get let. down a little bit. Yeah. It's like cuz. you have all these expectations and you. meet them and it's like wait, what? You. know, but I think. there comes again the power of.

separation. Like, you got to separate. that and. you know, so I know I'm talking a lot, but I do think Yeah, I do think that. like strategizing. uh is a real key to uh happiness, you. know? And strategy It doesn't have to be. like a deep thing. Strategizing could. just be as simple as. writing your intentions down, strategizing your day, how are you going. to approach this? I always like, before. I get into a studio session or anything, I always like meditate and I write down.

what I would like to. experience in the session, you know? What am I What would I like to get done? How would that feel? And I kind of lock. onto that feeling before I go and do do. what I got to do. Yeah, I'm glad that. you pointed out that strategizing is. starts with studying. Mhm. because then it becomes you study. something and then you apply it and. that's what strategy is. You study it. first and then you apply it and and I. was thinking about it as you were saying. like strategizing your day, I was. thinking about if you think about New. York, it's a grid system. That's a.

strategy. It's a strategy. Like, that's what it. is. If you look at If you travel to. Europe, you'll see there was a strategy. in how towns were built where like the. church would be in the middle of the. town. Exactly. river flowing through the middle. There'd be a bridge over the river. There was a strategy in how it was built. in order to create an experience of the. city and I feel. you know, that's what it is. It's. thinking about your life and thinking, what are the pillars and priorities in. my life? Yeah. Like like what are the things that are.

like almost like building a city? Exactly. Right? Because okay, well, a city needs. a fire station cuz sometimes there's. going to be a fire. Right. It needs a school because I need to. learn. It needs a hospital because. sometimes you're going to get ill. Like, what does a city need? And you got to. look at your life in the same way and go. Exactly. life need? that's exactly what your life needs, a. structure. Yes. You know, you feel like you're all over the place. and things aren't happening, sometimes. you just need a little bit of structure. and strategy to jump-start it and build. a foundation to build on, you know? So,

that's a perfect analogy. Yeah. What was the best strategy you. ever built to achieve something in your. life? What example would you give from. your own journey? When were you most. strategic effectively? Mhm. There have. been times where. I was very strategic and times where I. wasn't. And. um one of the times in my life where. strategy really helped out was just like. I would say securing my first record. deal. I always knew I would get a record. deal. I would talk about it frequently.

with my friends in eighth grade. I would. talk about when I Hey, when I sell out. the. this the this the when I was when I sell. out the Palace of Auburn Hills, all. these things that I did ended up doing. later. I just knew it was going to. happen. I just didn't know how. And you We all know that like you can. make plans and God laughs at it, but I. really feel like when your heart's in. the right place and you have the. intentions. and you put a little bit of strategy to. it, okay, like. one of the things that I always wanted. to do is like, okay, how can I. get on the radio? You know, how can I be.

How can I How can I be on the radio? Then I. you know, did some homework and my. friend Oh, there's a radio show where. you can battle rap and end up rapping on. the radio. You know, and people would Okay, that's. a way to get on the radio. So, how do I. get down there? Okay. Oh, so I need a ride down there. I would. like plan out every aspect. I need to. get make sure I have a ride to get to. the radio station to be able to battle. rap. Okay, I need to plan I need to. write a rap for the when I get on the.

radio so I have something to rap over. You know, and so it's like you. strategize every aspect of it. And it. can be fun. Strat It doesn't have to feel like. homework. It don't got to feel like. schoolwork. None of us want to do more. work. In fact, when you strategize, you. probably are eliminating a lot of work, a lot more work. Don't get fooled. thinking that like you're getting ahead. by not doing the work. I'm telling you. when you strategize and plan things out, you're eliminating hours.

of work. So, that is the reason. you know, a lot of us may not have time. to read this book. You think like I. don't have time to read a book. I'm. telling you like reading a book, not. just my book, but a book that impacts. you, saves time. It doesn't take time. Oh, I I'm I'm so glad you said that. because. Yeah. that's all it does. All it does. when you're learning, all it does is. save time. It stops you from making. mistakes. It helps you avoid the ones. that someone else made before you.

You'll probably make some new mistakes. for sure. Yeah, of course. but but you'll avoid so many. And I. loved what you said, the way you broke. it down like ultimately strategizing is. building steps to that goal. And you're. trying to break it down to the step that. I can do today and now that is small and. easy all the way up. And I love the way. you work backwards where it's like all. right, I want to be on the radio. All. right, let me break that down way a. minute. That means I need to go this. That means I need to do this. That means. first I need to do this. Okay, that. means right now I just need to do this.

And I think sometimes we live. on level 21 of where we want to go, but then we haven't got the elevator. down to level zero to go up, right? Like. we're just Our mind is in level 21. And. we get so mad that we're not on level. 21. And I'm and I'm a I'm a victim of. that and I think that you know, I've. I've gone through experience I'm not a. victim. I have done that before. I've. experienced that. So, I know how. frustrating it could be, but.

don't let it stress you. Unless you let. it unless it's you stress. There's. distress and then there's you stress and. that you stress can motivate you. It. really can. It could light a fire under. you go through it. Distress can kind of. weigh you down. So, you have the power. to take any aspect, even depression, and. let it either weigh you down or let it. fuel you. You know what I mean? So, yeah, I think that I know it's a lot of. people frustrated. I get frustrated. still. I'm nowhere near perfect. I'm not. talking to you as an expert in any way,

shape, or form. I'm literally talking to. you as a reflection of you and someone. who has gone through these experiences. and have just like and giving the game. that I've learned, you know, in straight. black and white and examples of how I've. done it, you know? So, Yeah. Yeah. For sure. What you've gave. us an idea of when you were strategic. What was What was the time when you were. chaotic? All right? So, there are times where. yeah, I've let things go. Um. I didn't strategize like There's always.

things you haven't thought about that. you got to come back to later. Like when. I had a fell out with some family. members like even my mom, our. relationship got tainted for a long. time. And it was like I was not calling her. I. was not checking in. I wasn't doing. anything that a son and now having a. son, I really feel the the the depth of. that. You know what I'm saying? And I didn't I could have strategized. that better. You know what I mean? I. could have strategized a lot of things.

better and you always have 20/20 in. hindsight. Totally. Totally. Totally. No, and and I. agree. It's It's just good to know. because. yeah, it's the same for me and I love. how you said that strategy is also. sometimes with people. Mhm. You know, like we we say the wrong thing at the. wrong time. Or you say the right thing. but at the wrong time. Or you say the. right thing but in the wrong way. Or you. say the right thing but in the wrong. place. Or you say the right thing and. you know, to the wrong person, right? Yeah. It's like it has to be strategic.

It does. Because otherwise it's not digested. We. just think as long as I'm saying the. right thing. Mhm. everything will be okay. Yeah. But if you say the right thing in the. wrong place to the wrong person at the. wrong time in the wrong way with the. wrong word, the wrong language, it. doesn't matter how true the thing you. said was. And that's what strategy is is. going, wait, how do I make sure this. lands? Wow. Like what what is it what is required. for this to actually have an impact on. someone and to serve them and help them? Yeah, and that's what we're here to do. is to serve really in every aspect. It's.

always comes down to being of service, you know? And anything we put out there. in any interview, in any book, in any. song, it's really of service to whatever. the moment it relates to, you know what. I mean? So. Yeah and that Yeah, you're right saying. the right thing to the wrong and the. thing is you're kind of the only one who. can dictate. you know, right and wrong is so. opinionated depending on who you talk. to. For sure. You know, there are a lot. of people who think that.

you know, any anything that we could. think is wrong, somebody could argue how. it's right, you know? Even down to black. and white, somebody can argue that this. text that says the exact same thing. means this thing and or this means that. thing. Mhm. You know, so I think it's important. to. come from a place of understanding. Mhm. And this leads to something else I want. to talk about because. just because you understand something. doesn't mean you have to accept it. Ooh.

Just because you understand it and. that's something that I had to learn the. hard way. I thought that I was being. this spiritual guy by if I get into a. disagreement with someone, understanding. where they come from. And then. ultimately. turns to me not respecting myself. Mhm. Because I'll understand where they're. coming from and be like, okay, like I. get it. But if the fact that I still get. it, it doesn't mean that I can't express. myself and I'm not valid. Yes. So I I to make sure that everyone.

knows that because. I think that that was something that I. learned is to set boundaries. And that's like that big B word. That's like the biggest B word there is. is boundaries that I've learned this. year and like that has really really. really changed. a lot of dynamics with people and it. changed. uh a lot of uh it's it's really created. a lot of happiness in my life. Mhm. Why. did boundaries become so prominent in. the last years you said? I think I was.

trying to be a hero in every situation I. was in. I'm such an empathetic person so. I love to. I really can feel when people are going. through something even when the world is. going through something it's like I kind. of really have to like really protect. myself energetically because I take on a. lot of people's problems. You know what. I'm saying? I can't help it. And it's. not a good I don't look at it as a bad. thing. I just look at it as how I am. You know, um do I wish sometimes that I. could just cut things off? Yeah, but. it's it's taught me that I can. I just.

have to set boundaries on what I can and. can't accept. And this year. yeah, there are a lot of things that. I was tired of feeling uncomfortable in. certain situations. I was tired of. letting people walk all over me. And just because I understood or I get. it I'm not respecting myself. And I didn't realize that I wasn't. respecting myself in that. You know, there are times where yeah, I need to I. can't go to this thing. I can't do this. or you know what? I can't go here. I.

can't go. to Dubai and do this show because I have. to be here for my son. I got to take my. son trick or treating. You know, I had. to set some of those boundaries. that may have cost me one thing but I. gained another. And one of the most. important things I gained uh back from. setting boundaries is the trust in. myself. You know, the confidence that I. feel like I have been building up so for. so long. Yeah, and I think. we're scared of setting boundaries. because we are scared of what we lose.

when we do. I know. And it could be FOMO, it could be. you know, the fear of becoming. irrelevant, the fear of becoming. insignificant, the fear. of losing a person. of losing a person. But. I I learned that, too. I remember a time. in my life where I had so much. compassion fatigue where I just felt. like. I was there for everyone else, but I had. no. And when I say income, I don't mean. financially, I mean there was no energy.

income coming in. And you were just a piece of you. You. were just a part of you at that point. Exactly. And you're just. And it's what you just said. You're. trying to be a superhero and you're. trying to be. the guy. Not in a egotistic way. You. actually just care about people. For real. But I realized very, very. quickly at that time that unless I was. full, rested, complete you know, I. wasn't actually able to help anyone. I. was just giving people my leftovers. Yeah. And not the best of myself.

And how do you enjoy it? And you got to. enjoy your life, too. Totally. Totally. And And I just found. that what what really helped me. was remembering that. I. didn't have enough to give anyone else. if I wasn't in a good place myself. Period. And that didn't mean I wanted to get to. a good place just for myself. The reason. I wanted to get to a good place is so I. could give more good to others. Mhm. And. therefore there had to be a structure. There had to be an order of, all right,

well, I need to take care of myself. Right. to be full. I need to be ready, and then. I can extend myself. But if I keep. extending myself to everyone else, chances are I get bitter at them. I'll. get mad at myself, and then I won't have. anything to give. Yeah, that's right. Right. Yeah, and it just it's it's an. interesting one, boundaries, because I. feel like. I think we also think we set boundaries. for other people, but we do it for. ourselves. We do it for ourselves. Because people always be like, "Oh, this. person is breaking my boundaries." And. I'm like, "Well, no, you keep breaking.

your boundaries.". Exactly. Right? No, yes. It's you know, it's like. the boundaries, forgiveness, they're not. just there for you, you know? Forgiveness is for you as well, and. boundaries are. for you as well. Yeah, it's been tough. I think that I grew up letting people. walk all over me. I think I grew up by. letting people take advantage of me, straight up, you know? Just to be real. Um and I saw that in my. parents,

especially my dad. He let He would let. people take advantage of him. He was a. very nice guy. And there's nothing, like I said, right. or wrong. It's an opinion, you know? It's just a perspective. So, it's I'm not criticizing him or. saying he was wrong in any way. It's. just the kind-spirited, hearted person. he is. But along with that, you do have. to set your boundaries and respect who. you are, because you will lose a sense. of yourself by trying to take care of. everyone else. You will lose a sense of. yourself if you don't set these. boundaries. You will lose a sense of.

yourself if you don't take the time out. to keep connecting with yourself. Yeah. Even if it's something you love. I. lost like the passion of like watching. anime. I remember when I was working so. hard. It's like I hadn't sat and watched. anime. I love watching anime. I love. Dragon Ball Z. I love like. My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, and. Evangelion, and all these things. And. that's just one thing that I love, right? So, it's like I have to take time. out to do that because it is really. important to me. Yeah. So, I know all of us have demands. Some of.

us have family. Some of us work two. jobs, three jobs. Some of us. and you say it's impossible, but I'm. telling you, if you. make that time, you will create more time to be the. better version of yourself in any of. those situations. I promise you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. The other thing. that. really helped me as a boundary, and this. doesn't apply if something's. life-threatening or urgent. Mhm. But sometimes someone would call me. up and be like, "Oh, I had a fight with.

my wife. I had a fight with my husband.". And my natural inclination was to like. fix it. So like, "Yeah, let's jump on. the phone. I'm going to help you through. it right now.". Because that's how you were as a. 10-year-old. Because that's how I was as a. 10-year-old. Yeah, and so on and so forth. Yeah, go. ahead though. And then I realized that. actually my new response started to be. "Yeah, let's talk in 3 days.". And the reason was A because maybe I had. stuff on and I couldn't run to it. Like. I said, it doesn't apply to. life-threatening. Of course. Of course.

If someone calls me and goes, "I got to. go to the hospital." Obviously, I'm. going to be there. But if someone's. saying, "Hey, this happened. That. happened.". I realized I may not be in a position to. quit everything in my life to go and be. on this call. And those 3 days, that person actually. had to do some processing for. themselves. And when I was just jumping on the phone. with them trying to save and solve their. problem, I was actually just enabling. them to not have to process it. themselves. So most people in 3 days. would say to me, they'd text me and go,

"Jay, actually I think I figured it. out.". Exactly. be like, "Great. I'd love to hear it. Let's jump on a call.". And now they'd talk to me and be like, "Look, I thought about it. You know, they said this. I said that. But I've. You know, and it's It just showed me. that so much of the time we think we're. saving people, we're actually just. enabling them. And every time we think. we're going to solve their problem, we're actually just creating more issues. for them because. everyone needs to learn to process. mentally and emotionally themselves.

Wow. And so sometimes like jumping in to. help someone, you actually end up. hurting them. Wow, man. Because It's a big one. Yeah, cuz they need to do it themselves. And so sometimes I had to set that. boundary with myself. It wasn't like I. don't want to be there for my friend or. a family member. I just realized being. there for them meant not being there. right now. Mhm. And they didn't know that, but then. when I saw them benefit from it, I. realized that actually space sometimes. gave them what they needed more than my. words could. Yeah, because it goes back to that what.

we were talking about. A lot of the. answers are in you. You know, a lot of the the the. things you're looking for, the. resolutions, they are in you and. sometimes it may take a little while to. rise to the surface and sometimes. they'll figure out, but one of the worst. things you could do is impact somebody. in the moment of them being emotional or. in the moment of rage or in the you. know, influencing them. It could it. could you could really ruin something, you know, because you're feeding off of. their emotions. It's like.

Yeah, yeah, I should I should just. leave. Yeah, you should just leave. Like. instead of just being like, "Hey, take. some time to you know, talk through it, you know?" It's really that's a that's a. real important great lesson, man. Yeah, it's it's helped me a lot. Mhm. That's a great way of of um. of exercising boundaries. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. What What other daily habits. You talked about journaling and. meditation in the book and I want to. talk about both of them. Mhm. Because I think they're talked. about a lot today, but I want to hear.

about your deep specific habits and how. it's become such a ritual for you. So, let's start with journaling. Like. obviously you're a writer. All right. Anyway, Doesn't make it easier, I would. say. yeah, I was going to say like what's different. about writing music, writing the book. versus journaling? Like Oh, completely. different. So, music, I don't even like. I kind of just like when I get in the. studio, I kind of just let it flow. through me and I learned that from like. Kanye and Jay-Z and Common. Um.

Now, there are a lot of people who do. write on pads like Eminem, you know, who's. amazing to me and a lot of people I. know, but how I do it personally is I. just kind of like feel through it and. let it stream to me and I like go on the. mic and like. not necessarily freestyle it, but yeah, just piece it together. You got to come. for a session one day, but then when it. comes to journaling, that's my time where I put like my. sword, you know, your pen is like your. sword to paper.

and. you are setting your strategizing and. you're setting your. intentions of, you know, things you may. would like to experience, but I also. like to do like gratitude. For some. reason, gratitude just seems to. magnetize. more of the things. um that I'm thankful for in my life. Um I've seen it work in a lot of ways. and that's my belief, you know, so the. things that you are grateful for, you. have to let the world know that you're.

grateful for because how else is it. going to know to give it back to you, you know, or to bring it to you or to to. the people around you and um it also is. a great way for me to, you know, and I I. practice I am. There's so much power, so. I am grateful. I am this. I am happy. I. am confident. I am. happy that I get to sit down. and talk to my friend Jay today, you. know, I'm I'm happy I get to. whatever the case is, right? So that's. what I do and then at the end of it of.

the the journal of the when I do the. gratitude stuff. And there are other. times where I write how I feel, not as. much. I also speak out loud by myself. You know, there are a lot of processes I. do, but when I do that journal, I sign. it at the at the bottom of it. like a contract and I like I sometimes I. put it is done or I put like so be it. because it's a declaration. when I do that. And I sign it because it's that. important to me. I have to sign my. contracts. I have to sign things that.

will be upheld as an important thing. And that's how the level of importance. even more. that I hold that to. So, I sign it every. time. That is so good, man. I've never. heard that before. I'm going to start. doing that. It's powerful. Yeah, I've never signed. it. That's dope. It's powerful. And Jada, does everything. I write down come to fruition? No. Sometimes it does. A lot of them do. And. then I realize that I am also on God's. time. So, the things that I've always.

wanted, the things that I've desired, it. may not just be the right Yeah. moment. in my journey for that. But, that's the. beauty of it, man. I'm like. I'm still here. I'm still able. I'm. still inspired. I'm still. passionate, you know? Beautiful. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, that's how I. That's how I do my journaling. I also have like a There's a book I have. of like poetry, too, that I like write. poems and stuff. I've only I only write a few a year, honestly. But, like I'll like.

fully write and draw around the poem and. like. It's really like a beautiful art. It's. just some Something I do for fun. I I. haven't actually I've only written one. this year. And last year I wrote a few. So, maybe I'll Maybe it'll inspire me to. write one today. But, that's kind of all. it is. But, I don't spend too much time. on it. Mhm. Takes me about. 5 to 12 minutes. That's great, man. max. And then I meditate after that cuz. it kind of like it's kind of like a good. transition to like the energy is set for.

me to like to meditate cuz when I. meditate, I feel like I'm attracting. these things more and giving myself the. best shot of being the most productive, the most um impactful that I can be. Mhm. You know? So, that's that's kind of. the first thing I do when I wake up, if. I can. Being a dad, though, there are times. where I get I get woken up and I have to. go immediately, you know? And I so I. come back to it later on. It's not.

preferred that way, but. it's a good trade-off. Yeah. What does your meditation look like? I. love because I've learned so much just. in how you journal. I've never heard so. be it it is done Mhm. or or the. signature at the end. I'm going to start. practicing those three. I like those a. lot. Yeah, because it's that important. I. That That is beautiful, man. Like I get. that. Like what you just said about we. sign contracts, sign checks. Like. there's very few things we still sign. Exactly, right? And they are supposed to. important things.

Yeah, they're important documents, and. that is an important document, too. that. And then so what about your. meditation? What does your practice look. like for meditation? It depends. I love. doing guided meditation sometimes. Um I. love doing. I kind of have my own process where I. like and visualize the light of. creation, like the the light of the sun, and it like really filling my whole body. up, and literally. everything that doesn't align with that, anything that isn't that light and. bright, you know what I'm saying, immediately leaves my body and goes back.

into the earth, and like. so, you know, there are times where I I. if I'm not in nature, I imagine myself. in nature, and like things going back. into the earth, and I like surround. myself. you know, from my I forgot the word the. esoteric body. I think it's like 1 in. off you, then your emotional body, then. your mental body, and like I just do the same thing. Like. it's like a shower of light. It's like. hopping in the shower after you work. out, like all but of light. And whatever. it it is, I kind of like cater to how.

I'm feeling. So, from there I'll like if. I have like something wrong with my. stomach, I'll like for some reason I. associate green with healing energy, right? And this comes from years of like. practice, or I associate royal blue with. power, you know, the power of the. universe. I associate like. uh red with the love of the universe, the love and support of the universe, and like I represent like the violet. flame of Saint Germain like to cleanse. things that are holding me back. Wow. Right? So, I do I have like quite a.

process and I break it down in the book. And afterwards, I feel just it really. makes a big difference. And you know, I read this book The. Hidden Messages in Water, I believe it's. called. And it talked about. you know, there's like itty-bitty. microscopic crystals in water. And. they one of the part of the book they. experiment of like. how positively when you speak to water. like hey, you're amazing. I love you.

Keep going. Like you're beautiful. And. then they had another. water glass or container of water where. they said like you suck. It's never that. you know, real negative. And you look at. the crystals and one is like a beautiful. snowflake looking crystal and then the. other one is like. distorted and all damaged. And we are 70 80% water. So, these. things when you write these affirmations. down or when you say them out loud or. when you journal, these things have a.

real effect on you tremendously. Like. scientifically. It's not even like a. woo-woo type of thing. It's not even. like it's not even up for debate. You. know what I'm saying? It's literally. scientific for the people who are more. you know, need the proof as opposed to. it you know, more analytical than like. opinion based. So, I just want to stress the importance of. it. It really is. And by the way, the. most the most honorable people that I've. met and like what I consider to be.

successful and I don't mean riches. I. just mean successful in like the impact. what they're doing, how they are. Yeah. They meditate. They all, you know, from. my favorite rappers down to my favorite. down to you, you know, down to anyone. who I just really admire. Yeah, yeah, Yeah, and they and and and and and you. can meditate in your own ways. They're like, I know like Janelle does. different meditations, you know, through. sound healing or mirror meditations. I. know people who do shower meditations,

walking. There's no wrong way to meditate, either. That's another misconception. There's no wrong way to do it. The fact. that you take the intention out, or if. you focus on your breathing, the fact. that you take the the time out to be. that conscious of yourself, over time. you will get more and more into it. It's. like anything you do, and it will you. will see the effects of it. Yeah. What. was uh What was Have you ever meditated. with another rapper that was interesting. or anything like that? Like Anyone that. had an interesting practice that I. wouldn't know about? Does Eminem. meditate?

You know what? I have never meditated. with Eminem, but he is a very. Eminem is a very like. amazing person, so I wouldn't be. surprised. I know Jay-Z does. Wow. I. haven't meditated with him, but I know. he does. Yeah. And you know, there are all different. ways and forms. You know, sometimes just. sitting and visualizing and like seeing. these things. is a form of meditation. Could be your. way. So, you have to find out these ways. that work for you. Just like therapy,

it's like I can't I can tell you how. therapy worked for me, but you may go to. a therapist that isn't right for you and. be like, "Oh, therapy is whack." But. that's not That's just, you know, my. specific situation. A lot of times. therapy for me has pushed me to the edge. of realization and has been the extra. push that I needed to Sometimes I. already knew the answer, but sometimes I. needed to talk it through, and sometimes. I needed to really exercise, and. sometimes I did learn something new that. awakened the truth in me um through.

therapy and having someone that I could. confide in that wasn't a family member, that wasn't a best friend, that wasn't a. that I wasn't in a relationship with and. was able to apply it to to of those. other relationships and in in a very. successful way. Yeah, yeah, for sure. I. mean, in the book you talk about how I. think it was like in 2016, you said you nearly got addicted to. Adderall when you were touring with. Rihanna. Uh-huh. And I was thinking. like, how do you stop yourself? Like, in. that moment, like what was the habit or. the tool or the practice? Was it.

therapy? Was it meditation? What was it. that. helped you recover from that? Man, so first of all, Adderall is like. synthetic. you know, I don't know. They say like. heroin. All these things, right? Like, it's a lot to it. And I'm really into Eastern medicine, personally, you know? I I used to have. heart of real bad heart problem that I. fixed through literally taking magnesium. and some other supplements that a doctor. told me that I had to get surgery for.

They told me they had to cut my heart. open and put a pacemaker in it, you. know? So, when I started taking Adderall, it's. because. I was putting myself on a clock that. didn't exist. I was putting myself under pressure and. I was living in a fear-based way. And I started taking Adderall because I. wanted to accomplish more. And it was very. It worked, but at the expense of. so many things. I honestly the expense.

of like. my like affecting my soul and changing. the person that I was and depleting my. body. It shut it off It It creates. synthetic dopamine in your brain. So, it. creates all this dopamine, but your. natural dopamine that is responsible for. your happiness, for your inspiration, your creativity, who makes you who you. are, it shuts off. It shuts it off. And. after a while, you're kind of relying on.

this synthetic dopamine only. And I. remember as time went on, I I go in the. studio and I feel like I couldn't do. anything without it. And that's when I. knew I had a real problem with it. So, I. went cold turkey, and that is like that was probably the. second bout of depression in my life. that I went through that was like That's. when I was like wanting to kill myself. Like, I was just like my mom was playing. all these tricks on me, right? And. it didn't matter that I had like I would. had a big ass house in Beverly Hills. It. didn't matter that I had millions of.

dollars in the account. And it didn't matter because as great as. a lot of those things are, they're still. separate. This I'm wearing a Lincoln. Park shirt as the, you know, Chester. I. I can't speak for him, God rest his. soul, but like who would think that. like, "Oh, that. someone, you know, who's one of the the. biggest rock stars in the world in a. band regardless of, you know, what they. talked about their music like would do. that, you know? Or this the you know, Kurt Cobain, you know, all these things, right? So,

it's because it's all separate. You. know, and I'm not saying that money can. make you happy, by the way. I don't like. when like. Yeah, sure. You know, I don't like when. rich people get on camera and be like, "Money isn't everything.". Yeah. It isn't everything, but it's a. lot. It can change It's a It's a. resource that is very needed in every in. anything you need to do in this world. You need it. So, it is important. It's. very important. I'm not going to like. sit in here and say it isn't, but it was. separate from what I had to deal with at. the time. So,

yeah, it was um I went cold turkey, and that's when I stopped everything I. was doing, and I called my mom who we. weren't on great terms, and she came out. and was in in my house with me and intro. My mom has always. Shout out my dad, too. My dad is with me. today, too. I love my dad. He's like, "Man, make sure you shout me. out, too." Like, yeah, I'mma shout you. out, too. Like, my dad is a great. But. my mom at that point in those certain. points in my life, just a few key. points, she knew what she had a solution.

to offer me always and I really. appreciate that. It's something I hope. to do for my kid and kids. And she was like introduced me to you. know, she was the who put me on. meditation. She just would always. introduce me to certain things. Try. this. Try this method. And then I started realizing how. connected physical, mental, emotional, spiritual are and I started working out. I started prioritizing myself. I started. putting me first. Started reconnecting. with things I wanted to do. Started. trying new things. Jumping out of. planes. I was doing going to the gun.

range. Just trying things out that. I was like, "Hey, that's interesting. Let me try it." and it really helped me. reconnect with myself. I started watching anime again and then. you know, I had to take a break from the. studio because I wasn't I couldn't think. of anything and then I finally got back. in and was inspired again and life is. the greatest inspiration. But what I can. say is the people who are addicted to. Adderall and like other drugs that that. synthetic high is is very temporary and. it's said at an expense.

And it's different when people who have. ADHD who necessarily need it, but there. are even other ways to deal with that. and I guarantee you they will take less. of your body. You know, these things like when these. prescriptions they mess up your kidneys, your liver. And as simple as that sounds, these your. liver, your gut messing up your gut, these your gut is your second brain. It. dictates so much more than we've let on.

to know. I think that's why Roddy is so. you know, into the food because it's not. just food. It's like it's it's it's so. much more than that. Mhm. So I know I'm. running on and on, but my point is is. that it was very tough. But you can get through it and you there. on the other side of it. you you you come out as like a true. champion and you're the source of it. Yeah. And there's no better. drug or high than being high off life.

There is no better thing because you're. the actual drug. You're the actual. source of it. It's not something you. have to take to get to there. It's like. you are it and there's you'll be you. could soar. You can go go higher than ever. You. know? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Go higher. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For real. How do you feel your grandmother would. feel reading this these pages? My. grandma was one of the first people to. give me a book of um. It was a book about. uh King Solomon and that book changed.

the my life and it talks about the. strategies of King Solomon how he had. his ran his business how he strategized. how you know how King Solomon he didn't. he wanted wisdom. That's what he wanted. and that's why he was granted everything. else. That's why he was the richest man. who ever lived is because that's not. what he sought was sought he didn't he. didn't seek the power. He sought the. wisdom to help people and God gave him. the resources by making him the richest. man. Right? So anyway.

you know so my grandma she was like. one of the first female black captains. in World War II. She was one of the first like female. police officers a teacher a counselor. She was incredible. Right? Her and my. granddad met in World War II and. she was the example of hard work the. example of nothing is something. She. lived on the street called Outer Drive. which was a That's where Marvin Gaye. used to live when he lived in Detroit. It's like a real. prestigious street uh and I can imagine.

that that was like one of her proudest. accomplishments. So I really got love. for I think she would read this book and. be proud. You know? I think so. And I think that you know as a scholar. she would probably be like correcting. some of my grammar in the book. and you know things of that but she. would be very proud. Um she. was very strict in a lot of ways and she. believed that education, going to. college, was the way to a better life. and.

I went a different way. I didn't go to. college. I was like, when instead I went. to the music and she know I had respect. for it cuz I always had good grades, but. even when I. chose the exact opposite of what she. wanted me to do, she supported me. wholeheartedly and I spent all the bonds. she saved up, all the money she saved up. for college, I spent it all on studio. sessions. And I can't imagine how mad or how. pissed off that might have made her, but. through it all she supported me and I. just appreciate she just shows me how.

much she valued family. And I was able to buy a house for her. and my mom before they passed. She. actually saw the music pay off and we. used to watch all these westerns and. Jeopardy and all these things and. I remember she was watching Jeopardy and. I was actually a question on Jeopardy. and you know, I talked to her on the. phone and she was so uh like, "Wow!". Like, you know, and it used to it used. to tear me apart when things weren't. working out and I was spending her money. on the studio sessions and we would have. Sunday dinner every Sunday and I would. have to go and sit there and she'd be.

like, "Well, what's going on with the. music? You know, you need to Why don't. you just apply to community college? Like, you could have been halfway with a. degree by now. It's been 2 years. It's. been, you know, all this time." And it. broke my heart every Sunday. And. I did give up, you know, at one point I. did give up. So, at one point I was over it. I was. over music. It wasn't going anywhere. When was that? That was after I met. Kanye. Yeah, so you rap and then he. didn't get in touch with you for 2 years. after? Yeah, and it was like a blank, you know,

and I turned down my scholarships I had. to college. I graduated school like a 3.7 GPA. I was. like, you know, I had like a lot of. academic scholarships, all these things. and I turned it down. And then I was I. was it was non-responsive, but in. hindsight I look back, he was blowing up. in his own right. He was busy, you know. It's not the same. You know, you only. see things from your perspective, especially when you're younger. And. yeah, I just was like I I felt like I. tried and gave it all I had.

And I gave up, and my mom, you know, who. was a teacher as well, she was the only. one who was like, "Yo, what are you. doing, man? Come on, you know?" You you. you know, you're you're registering for. Come on, you got it. Like, just keep. going. You got it. This is. This is what you're meant to do. This is. what you believe in. Do it. And. literally months after that, that's when. things started picking up. So, it's like. you can keep digging and digging and. digging. And before I struck the gold, I. gave up. And that's what I mean, I had. those guardian angels around me to keep.

it going. One thing you spoke about. that, you know, I'm really sorry you had. to go through it, cuz I had so many. friends who've actually gone through it. recently, which is why I'm asking. But, you suffered a miscarriage. Mhm. With. you and I. Like, that I've spoken to so. many of my friends who are trying to. have kids right now. Yeah, super common. Yeah, super common. But, it's like that doesn't make it any. better. Right. Right. No, it doesn't. Like, yeah, so many of my friends have. had it this year, literally in the last. 12 months. Like, they're like. I'm sorry to. And And yeah, and it's And it's hard, cuz they're going through a loss. Their. partner's going through the grief.

Mhm. But, it's And And like you said, it's super common, but that doesn't make. it any easier or any better when it. happens to you. What was something that. really helped you through that. experience that you think could help. others? What What was it that helped. both of you? Because it's a two-way. thing. It's not just about you. A lot of. our problems we're just processing. ourselves. Well, every situation is. different, right? So, to someone who is. experiencing miscarriages, and I can. only speak from a man's perspective. I. can't speak. for a woman who really their perspective.

is the most. traumatic. But, I can say that first of. all, you're worthy. I don't want you to think you're not. worthy. I don't want you to I don't want. people to think that because they have a. miscarriage that they're inadequate or. that they're broken. I think that. this life is complex and there are. things we do and don't understand. And I. think there's beauty in everything. that's meant for you. And.

instead of trying to control exactly how. you want your life to be, accept that it's going to be. the life that is meant for you. And you. may get blessed with a child later on. You may get blessed with a child that. comes into your life a different way. You may get blessed with You have to. keep your Sometimes we get so set on a. goal we don't keep the rest of the of. our of our doors open of how the. universe could bless us in that way to. not only fill that void, but even make.

it even greater. So, I just wanted, you. know, keep a open mind. But you So, anyone who does experience. such an insufferable loss I did, you. know, go through it. Like, express. yourself. Deal with that grief, but. don't let it consume you. Yeah. You. know, um sometimes you got to go through. it just to get to it. Yeah, for sure. No, I appreciate that, man. I think it's. going to help. a lot of them. We've got two last. questions for you, Shawn, before we. wrap. How do you personally find the light in.

really dark times? Like when you feel. distracted from that Mhm. spiritual. light, what do you do to reconnect? Well, to find the light in really dark. times, sometimes. you have to realize that you are the. light, but sometimes you got to embrace. the darkness. Mhm. You ever notice how. when you're in the dark for a long time. you start to see better and things. actually get lighter? For sure. I think that. it's a natural human instinct to like.

go into a. So good. a a mode of like fear-based and it's. like, "I need the light. I need the. Where's the light? And instead of just. accepting that you are. you are for certain you are. you you not only are you the light. that. there are there's a darkness to you, too, that's beautiful. And that you have. to accept all aspects of yourself. So, you know, once you do accept it, I think. it's easier to find the light or be the.

light. I think, you know, once you. really are comfortable in your. environment you. um will find and see the way to wherever. it is you're trying to go. Absolutely. Great answer. Uh last question I want to. ask you. One of my favorite things you. ask people to do in the book. Uh-huh. which I want everyone to do when. they get the book. Uh-huh. is list five miracles. Yeah. that they've experienced in their. life. I love this idea cuz when I read. this, I was just like, oh my gosh, if. you actually stop.

to think about the miracles that have. happened in your life. Mhm. and to really take them in and to really. like embrace them and let them pervade. your entire being Mhm. you start. believing in more miracles. You start. living in the miracle because often it's. so easy to live in the negativity and to. live in the toxicity and to live in. everything that's the opposite of a. miracle. Mhm. What what gave you this idea? Where. did it come from and how do you live in. the miracle every day? I mean, well, that idea came from like when you.

highlight when you really recognize the. miracles and. you're kind of supercharging them and. you're you will see more miracles. There. are so many miracles every single day. The fact that the sun is at the exact. right place. and the moon is at the exact right place. and the oxygen is at the exact right The. thing that the the fact that we are. orbiting. is a miracle, bro. For real, if you.

think about it cuz one slight thing. everything is gone. You know what I'm. saying? Everything is gone to. fast. So that's one thing but for me when you. list the miracles that you experience. personally that impact you personally, I. feel like it breathes more. So for me. man, being on the pursuit of happiness. and being able to actually. see. my dreams come true to a level is a. miracle for me. Having a.

This isn't in order by the way. Having a son is a you know, that's a. miracle That's for real a miracle. because that's like creating something. out of nothing. Being able to um. man, waking up is a miracle. Everyone. don't get to wake up, man. Um. being able to set goals and and pursue. them. You know, not even necessarily check. them all off but pursue them. Being able to eat food and let it.

give me nutrition is a miracle, bro. Yeah. Yeah. You know, so I'm not trying. to just sit up here and like. be preaching positivity in that sense. but there are so many miracles that. happen. There are There I remember one. time I was down at the fireworks in. Detroit and somebody was firing a gun. and I saw it and it looked like I saw it. and it went past me and it was a miracle. I didn't get hit by any bullets. It was a miracle that when I got into a. car accident and totaled my car when I. was 16, I was able to climb out of the.

window. I couldn't even open the doors. and nothing was wrong with me. I had a. little bruise on the side of my pinky. That was it. It looked like somebody. died in there. There are miracles that happen every day. that you may not consider miracles that. you have to recognize. and you don't even have to question it. That just shows you, bro, that you're. here. We are in We are in it. I love that, man. That was one of my favorite. activities and practices, and I hope. everyone's been listening and watching.

today. If you do one thing, it's do. that. Yeah, for real. Spend time just mapping out your five. miracles. The book is called Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose And thank you. for writing, yeah. you for writing the forward. Of course, man. Nah, just congrats to you, man. I'm. really proud of you. Oh, come on, man. I know I was just at your house like a. few days ago. ago, four days ago. We loved it. Eating some amazing food. You really are. an amazing person, not just on camera,

like some people. You really are amazing. on and off camera, man. Your heart is. big, it's very inspiring. Um we have these in our fridge. Ah, you're the best. I have all your books on my shelf. I've. read them. And, you know, just thank. you, man. Thank you for being an outlet. Thank you for being such a. connection, especially between all these. amazing people, and being able to open. up and be vulnerable. What I can say is. that. to everyone watching, you're product of.

your environment, and you are the. you are the chemist of your environment. You have the power to change it in any. given time or moment. Mhm. You know, if you're unhappy with where. you are, realize that you have the instant power. to change it. It all starts with the. mentality first and foremost. And. that is like the key ingredient to. making anything. amazing, you know? So,

uh I hope you guys realize. that we only have this moment. Anything you've done in the past, you. have to let go of. Anything in the future can change, you. know, that you have idea of how it. should be. And that uh what else? You know, what. are you going to do with the time you. got left? It's up to you. I love that, man. Thank you for writing. this book. Yeah. The book is called Go Higher. Everyone. go grab your copy, share it with your. friends, your family, people in your.

life who are looking for really. insightful, simple wisdom that can. create shifts in your life, practical. advice, practical stories as well. Uh Sean, I'm I'm really glad you've done. this with your platform because I think. that. you know, it's very rare these days for. people to see. what masculinity means. And I feel like. with you, the strength. and the vulnerability, which. in one sense are the one in the same, but I also think they are different in. that I think there is a need to be.

strong, set boundaries, be Mhm. to stand. up for yourself. These are all strength. as well. Yeah. And then at the same. time, the softness, the courage, the. bravery, the vulnerability, that is too. And so, I love how you put those both. together. It was an honor to write the. forward for this book. A real honor, like for you to ask me to do that. I was. I was very touched. You could have asked. anyone. And I I genuinely, genuinely. hope that people are going to pick this. book up. And I I've I think people are. going to hand it to their friends, their. family, people in their life.

If you want this year, 2025, to be a. great year, you've got to go higher. Yeah, that's right. And so, I'm excited for you. I'm excited. for this next chapter in your life. Mhm. Thank you. And I'm excited for how this. book, for many, many years to come, will. have an impact on people. Not just now, not just this year, but for many years. to come, people will look back and say, "I loved all the music he wrote, but I. also loved that book he wrote." Aw, thank you, man. That means everything. And yeah, thanks for that. Allowing me. to communicate. Always. You know, communication, I.

always say that communication is the. bridge to salvation, that God is holding. our hand to walk across. And just like. any other bridge, you can't skip a step. to get to the other side. So, thanks for. allowing me to communicate. And thank. you for communicating so well in your. life. It's very inspiring. And uh yeah, I'll see you soon, man. I'll I'll come. back over for dinner soon. wait. I can't wait. I appreciate you. Thank you. Yeah, that is part three. That is part three over. Part four. coming soon. Yeah, part four coming. soon. Thank you, man.

it. You're the best, man. Thank you, brother. Thanks for being such a dear. friend. If this is the year that you're. trying to get creative, you're trying to. build more, I need you to listen to this. episode with Rick Rubin on how to break. into your most creative self, how to use. unconventional methods that lead to. success, and the secret to genuinely. loving what you do. If you're trying to. find your passion and your lane, Rick. Rubin's episode is the one for you. Just. because I like it, that doesn't give it. any value. Like, as an artist, if you. like it, that's all of the value. That's.

the success comes when you say, "I like. this enough for other people to see it.".