Jay Shetty | Best-Selling Author and Award-Winning Podcast Host
Keynote: Jay Shetty – May 16 | 10am – 11am | Hall B
Jay Shetty, a global best-selling author, award-winning podcast host of “On Purpose”, and purpose-driven entrepreneur, has made an indelible impact on hearts and minds worldwide. With an astounding following of over 50 million across social media platforms, Jay possesses a talent for making purpose and ancient wisdom not only relatable but also practical and easily accessible. His journey of transformation and inspiration has touched the lives of millions across the globe.
Born and raised in London to his Indian parents, Jay was a shy and introverted young boy who always yearned to make a positive difference in the world. His life took a remarkable turn when he received a last-minute invitation to listen to a monk speak. In that moment, Jay began to question and redefine the very essence of success, aspiring to a life of service, impact, fulfillment, and passion. However, he grappled with the challenge of integrating these aspirations into his life while pursuing a path in university. During his school years, Jay spent vacations living with monks in India, immersing himself in their wisdom and teachings.
After graduating from Cass Business School in 2010 with a 1st Class Honors Degree in Management Science, Jay remained driven by a deep desire to positively impact those around him. He felt uncertain about how his degree aligned with his purpose. It was then that Jay made the decision to embark on a three-year journey as a Hindu monk in India and the UK. He traded his suits for robes, shaved his head, and embraced a minimalist lifestyle. Waking up at 4am, taking cold showers, and simplifying his diet became his new normal. Through dedicated study and up to 8 hours of daily meditation, Jay delved into the ancient practices of breath and mindfulness, immersing himself in the timeless philosophies and sciences of the East. During this transformative period of self-discovery, Jay realized that his life’s calling extended far beyond himself—he was determined to help others find their purpose.
In 2013, Jay faced the challenging transition of leaving the monastery and returning to London. He grappled with the conflicting teachings of the monastery and the world he desired to engage with. Former classmates from university sought his wisdom and invited him to speak at their companies, where Jay shared valuable insights on productivity and practical applications of his monk learnings in the workplace. Simultaneously, Jay observed the world’s shift towards a digital landscape. After months of job applications and interviews, he joined Accenture in 2013 as a consultant.
Jay soon recognized the immense potential in bridging the wisdom he had gained from his monastic experiences with the rapidly expanding digital world. Despite their apparent differences, Jay saw profound similarities between the two realms. This led to Jay creating short videos and posting them on YouTube. His inspiring videos caught the attention of Arianna Huffington, who invited him to become the Host of HuffPost Rise in New York. In the fall of 2016, Jay embraced the opportunity and made the momentous move across the pond to join HuffPost. Since then, he embarked on a journey of sharing viral wisdom, amassing over 10 billion views and fostering a global community.
Jay Shetty harnessed the transformative power of digital and audio media with the launch of “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” in 2019. This groundbreaking and award-winning podcast tops the charts as the world’s leading Health and Wellness podcast with over 35 million monthly downloads, consistently ranking among Spotify’s Top 10 Podcasts and earning a spot among Apple’s Top 20 Podcasts of the Year. Through captivating and sincere dialogues, Jay engages in conversations with some of the most influential and insightful individuals on the planet. From President Joe Biden, Oprah and Selena Gomez to Will Smith, Tom Holland, Kim Kardashian, Kevin Hart, Jennifer Lopez, Lewis Hamilton, and Kobe Bryant, Jay’s podcast attracts an array of notable guests, enabling him to delve deep into thoughtprovoking discussions that inspire and enlighten his listeners.
In 2020, Jay Shetty released his debut book, Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Everyday, which soared to the top of the New York Times and UK Sunday Times bestsellers lists. It was also ranked by Apple Books as the Best Audio Book of the Year and named Book of the Year by the British Book Awards. Through his inspiring book, Jay draws upon his experience living with monks to guide readers in clearing roadblocks and tapping into their boundless potential, power, and purpose. By blending ancient wisdom and his own transformative journey in the ashram, Think Like a Monk unveils the secrets to overcoming negative thoughts and habits, enabling everyone to access the inherent calm and purpose that reside within.
During the pandemic, Jay felt a strong urge to make a difference. In 2020, he initiated 40 days of meditation on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook Live, which inspired tens of thousands of people and provided them with solace and stability. Upon learning that one person was losing their life to Covid every 5 minutes in India, Jay and Radhi joined forces with Give India. Together, they orchestrated an online event that garnered immense support, raising over $5 Million in just 24 hours. The event featured notable guests such as Lilly Singh, a captivating performance by Willow Smith, and contributions from esteemed individuals ranging from Shawn Mendes to Ellen DeGeneres to Ray Dalio. Their collective efforts not only raised substantial funds but also raised awareness and demonstrated the power of unity and compassion. That same year, together with Jay’s Facebook community, he assisted over 800 students in obtaining educational programming for a year through Pencils of Promise. As a result, he was honored with the Philanthropist of the Year award by Pencils of Promise.
Building upon the resounding success of Think Like A Monk, Jay later wrote his second book, 8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go, in response to the most common questions he received over the pandemic, which revolved around love and relationships. In 2023 when the book was published, it quickly claimed its place as another instant New York Times and global bestseller. This book explores the multifaceted nature of love and offers a revelatory guide to navigating every stage of romance. Drawing from both ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science, it provides a unique perspective on falling in love, cultivating self-love, healing from heartbreak, and rediscovering the transformative power of love. To bring these enlightening teachings to life, Jay embarked on his first-ever worldwide tour, “Jay Shetty: Love Rules.” This captivating 90-minute experience took audiences on a transformative journey through live meditations, empowering experiments, and awe-inspiring demonstrations. With over 30 stops in North America and an international leg encompassing India, the UK, Spain, France, Singapore, Australia, the UAE, and more, Jay’s tour connected hearts and souls across the globe.
Continuing his mission to empower and inspire, Jay, alongside his partners, unveiled House of 1212—a purpose-driven talent agency representing the world’s most influential creators, thought leaders, and innovators. With unwavering commitment, their agency aims to unlock the inner greatness and full potential of these visionaries, facilitating positive change and leaving an indelible mark on the world. In June of 2023, Jay and his wife Radhi Devlukia launched Juni, an adaptogenic sparkling tea – a simple way to make wellness part of your daily routine. Each can is infused with powerful adaptogens that blend together to renew energy, enhance focus, and elevate overall wellbeing.
Jay has been honored by Forbes 30 Under 30 as a media game changer, recognized as “One To Watch” by People Magazine, crowned Best Health & Wellness Creator of the Year and Podcast of the Year at the Streamy Awards, featured as a Young Influential cover star by Adweek, and listed among “The 40(ish) Most Powerful People in Podcasting” by The Hollywood Reporter. Furthermore, Jay has won four Streamy Awards, two Shorty Awards, a Webby Award, and an Ambies Award, among others. Jay has also appeared in publications such as Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Men’s Health, The Wall Street Journal and has made appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, TODAY Show, Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show and Nightline.
When Jay isn’t writing or making videos, he’s coaching as the founder of the Jay Shetty Certification School, a purpose driven educational institution offering accredited certifications in life coaching to individuals and organizations. As a keynote speaker, Jay has traveled around the world on global stages on behalf of powerhouses like Google, Microsoft, Netflix, HSBC, and has developed corporate training programs for many of these organizational clients. His online courses have been attended by over 2 million students and his “Genius Community” provides weekly programming on the principles and practices for health and wellness to thousands of members in over 100 countries.
Currently, Jay resides in Los Angeles with his beloved wife, Radhi Devlukia-Shetty. Together, they continue on their shared mission of spreading love, purpose, and positive transformation to individuals around the world.
