Jay Shetty & Big Sean ON 5 Ways to Get Unstuck
In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty welcomes Grammy-nominated artist Big Sean to discuss mental well-being, spiritual practices, and the path to authentic self-care. Big Sean has openly shared his struggles with anxiety, depression, and past reliance on external substances, proving that even international achievements cannot fully shield us from our inner struggles.
Have you ever wondered how a person at the height of fame manages to remain humble, confront personal challenges, and still innovate creatively?
In this On Purpose episode, Jay Shetty welcomes Grammy-nominated artist Big Sean to discuss mental well-being, spiritual practices, and the path to authentic self-care. Big Sean has openly shared his struggles with anxiety, depression, and past reliance on external substances, proving that even international achievements cannot fully shield us from our inner struggles.
In this conversation, the rapper shares the steps he took to regain balance, such as journaling and meditation, and rethinking his professional aspirations through a more mindful lens.
True Achievement
Big Sean shares with Jay Shetty his understanding of achievement, as defined in his new book, Go Higher. Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace. While many people assume that success equals external validation—trophies, best-selling records, or money— the rapper believes these milestones rarely lead to the sense of completeness or inner peace that most of us long for. In his view, achievement comes from inner alignment, the only way to feel content and fulfilled.
Although Big Sean reached milestones that others could only dream of (such as selling millions of albums or performing for large crowds), he admitted to Jay Shetty feeling empty inside at times. From the outside, it may seem like his success equals happiness, but the rapper explains that the only lasting happiness is the one rooted in self-awareness. So, he advises the listeners to seek their true purpose within themselves, rather than look for external validation from others.
The rapper and Jay Shetty agree that everyone has a spiritual source underlying their potential; for Big Sean, it means recognizing that creativity and connection come from a place beyond ego. When he taps into that spiritual source—allowing intuition, empathy, and passion to guide his projects—he feels a deeper sense of pride. Similarly, Jay Shetty compares this approach to watering your roots to allow them to grow organically, rather than forcing it.
Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
Big Sean differentiates between success and happiness, which many people tend to use as interchangeable terms. He explains to Jay Shetty that success can be a momentary achievement such as receiving a big paycheck, releasing a hit song, or receiving a prestigious award. On the other hand, happiness is a long-lasting emotional state that can last regardless of career ups and downs.
Before becoming aware of this distinction, the rapper used to link his mood almost entirely to his career achievements. He experienced temporary highs when receiving new endorsements. Yet he quickly slipped into anxiety or self-doubt if one of his albums didn't perform as expected. Over time, Big Sean realized that his life would remain a rollercoaster if his emotional well-being relied solely on external variables. So, the rapper began looking inward for happiness rather than waiting for good things to happen to him.
Big Sean told Jay Shetty that he stopped comparing himself to his peers and started expressing his creativity freely, as well as connecting with his spiritual and philosophical beliefs. This way, he understood that success is an added layer of fulfillment rather than the foundation of self-worth.
Acceptance Is the First Step Toward Change
The opening practice in Big Sean’s book is acceptance: confronting your current reality (flaws, struggles, missed opportunities) and acknowledging them without denial or lying to yourself. In the beginning, Big Sean struggled with anxiety and self-imposed timelines; he believed that pushing himself harder and faster would solve his problems.
Yet he found out that denying stress or obstacles would only leave him more frustrated. When he finally accepted that he was indeed overwhelmed and had recurring negative thoughts, the rapper started dedicating time to finding genuine and lasting solutions to his struggles. Once you embrace your vulnerabilities, you unlock the potential for cultivating better habits and establishing healthier boundaries.
Manifestation Meets Strategy
Many people see manifestation as a buzzword, interpreted as wishful thinking. However, Big Sean told Jay Shetty that, in his view, it is a combination of strong inner convictions and practical, step-by-step actions. He distinguishes between chasing energy (desperately chasing goals) and attracting energy (aligning your mindset and actions). The latter allows you to attract opportunities, he explains.
The rapper shares with Jay Shetty how he got his first significant record deal: he discovered local radio shows that offered freestyle segments. So, he prepared verses in advance, found rides to the station, and networked with the right people. Big Sean didn't leave his future in the hands of fate; instead, he took action and worked toward his dream.
The rapper believes that you can shape your reality by aligning your inner beliefs with taking action in the real world. He told Jay Shetty that positivity without a plan or pure hustle, without trusting in your abilities, will eventually lead to an imbalance. So, he suggests taking an inner look to find your purpose, and then making a plan for how to work toward achieving your goal.
Setting Boundaries for Self-Preservation
Big Sean admitted to Jay Shetty that he sometimes found himself drained of energy because he was always available to help others and put himself last. He pressured himself into supporting everyone around him emotionally and professionally, and rarely saying no. Although the rapper wanted to be there for others, he understood that doing it was at the expense of his mental energy and sense of independence.
Establishing boundaries doesn't mean rejecting kindness, but a way of assessing how, when, and to what degree you can realistically help others without sacrificing your well-being. Jay Shetty shared how he used to offer instant solutions to all of his friends seeking advice; yet, in time, he understood that the best answers are the ones coming from within. So, he offered his friends the time and space to process the events, which ultimately led to them finding the answer by themselves rather than seeking it externally.
Moreover, Big Sean warned that if you consistently allow friends, family, or professional acquaintances to violate your boundaries, resentment and burnout creep in. People avoid setting boundaries for fear of losing relationships. However, in many cases, the healthiest connections get stronger when people reciprocally respect each other's boundaries. The rapper and Jay Shetty emphasize that boundaries are a form of self-respect that leads to more authentic connections, and it is vital for preserving your creative energy, emotional balance, and ability to provide meaningful support.
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When Big Sean became a father, he started to observe traits of various family members reflected in his son's behavior. He explains to Jay Shetty how this realization strengthened his belief that we inherit genetic codes from our ancestors, not only physical, but also emotional patterns and unresolved issues.
The rapper started looking inward to understand and address his personal issues, so that he wouldn't unconsciously pass them on to his children. Being a father made him speed up his healing process because it made him aware of how his child mirrored elements of his spirit. Jay Shetty added that studies support the theory that children who understand their familial narratives exhibit higher resilience.1
Big Sean also told Jay Shetty that fatherhood allows him to see the beauty in the small things: when his toddler becomes captivated by a flower or marvels at a bird in the park, he remembers how easy it is to discover joy in everyday moments. Becoming a parent makes you rethink your priorities, the use of your time and what type of legacy you want to leave.
Journaling With a Twist
The rapper told Jay Shetty that he tries to maintain the habit of journaling every morning; he sets aside five to twelve minutes to write about gratitude, intentions, or any emotions that require exploration. He explains that putting pen to paper is a tangible act that allows him to gain clarity, and it gives him a format to express what he wants to achieve or overcome.
A particular habit that Big Sean revealed to Jay Shetty is that he signs each and every one of his journal entries, as if they were a contract. This way, he reminds himself that words hold power - any task holds more significance if they have your signature at the end.
Additionally, the rapper explains that journaling helps combat anxious or disorganized thoughts. Instead of letting them swirl around in his head, Big Sean organizes them logically on paper; this way, he uncovers hidden solutions or lessens the emotional weight of specific issues. Jay Shetty agrees that having your thoughts written out in front of you helps you see them in a clearer light.
Meditation and Creative Renewal
Besides journaling, Big Sean practices meditation daily. He explains to Jay Shetty that he imagines a bright light surrounding him, which symbolically washes away any negativity. He also focuses on breathwork or uses color imagery—like green for healing, red for love, or royal blue for universal power — to soothe his anxiety and balance his emotional state.
Jay Shetty clarifies that mediation doesn't require elaborate rituals or lengthy time commitments; sometimes, five minutes of focused stillness can significantly reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Big Sean agrees, sharing that when he is traveling or in high-pressure recording sessions, quick meditation breaks allow him to come back centered, ensuring he makes thoughtful decisions rather than impulsive ones. He views meditation as a calculated pause rather than an escape, and a way to recharge his creativity.
Dark Moments in the Rapper's Life
Big Sean opened up to Jay Shetty about some dark moments in his life. The first one was Adderall addiction - he began using it to cope with demanding work schedules, only to realize that it numbed his genuine motivation, similar to artificial dopamine.
Yet, when he quit the drug, he faced a near-crisis of self-confidence, experiencing episodes of depression. Luckily, he reclaimed a healthy mindset through therapy and with the help of supportive family members and spiritual practices like meditation.
Additionally, the rapper opened up about his partner having a miscarriage. This event triggered waves of grief, guilt, and confusion. Although it is a common occurrence, miscarriage are still not openly discussed in many spaces. Big Sean openly asks the listeners going through similar experiences to allow themselves the time to heal, seek professional guidance, or turn to loved ones for support. By acknowledging his miscarriage experience publicly, the rapper hopes to reduce stigma and encourage understanding and empathy for those affected by it.
Recognizing Everyday Miracles
In his book Go Higher, Big Sean described an exercise of five miracles: it involves identifying five moments in your life that felt miraculous—personal achievements, fortunate escapes, or even simple joys like meeting someone at the right moment. By recalling these miracles, you become more aware of life's blessings and shift your attention from disappointments to positive synchronicities.
The rapper shares with Jay Shetty some of these miraculous events in his life, such as surviving a severe car accident with minimal injury or fulfilling his childhood aspirations of performing on grand stages. He explains that any moment, no matter how small, reaffirms that life brims with inexplicable grace. By embracing a miracle-oriented mindset, you can reinforce the belief that you are, in fact, capable of going higher.
More From Jay Shetty
Listen to the entire On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast episode on “Big Sean ON 5 Ways to Get Unstuck From Where You Are Now (Simple Strategies to Eliminate Endless Hours of Work)” now in the iTunes store or on Spotify. For more inspirational stories and messages like this, check out Jay’s website at jayshetty.me.
