In this conversation, radio legend JohnJay joins host Justin to talk honestly about what fame really feels like, why chasing money alone can ruin your life, and how to choose a path that actually fits who you are.
From turning down huge offers in New York to build a better life in Arizona, to creating the Love Up and Love Pup foundations, JohnJay shares the tradeoffs behind the highlight reel and what he wishes more young people understood about ambition, work, and family.
You’ll hear stories about billionaires and Michael Jordan, but also about missing a close friend’s wedding for a promotion, saving foster kids and dogs, and building a multi-generational business that’s now evolving with AI.
If you’re in your late teens or 20s, wondering whether to chase status, a paycheck, or your own weird, specific calling, this episode will give you a grounded roadmap for your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Timestamps:
02:18 – Why JohnJay designs his show for one listener, not millions
03:58 – “I’ll never take a job for money again” and the Houston lesson
05:37 – Money, fulfillment, and what young men are getting wrong about success
08:20 – Choosing quality of life over a dream offer in New York
10:20 – Who you become vs. what you earn: Justin’s sales story and JohnJay’s take
20:52 – Defining success in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s
25:44 – “Will you be missed?” and how Love Up started
32:28 – From Love Up to Love Pup: saving dogs and supporting shelters at scale
36:30 – College vs. Genius Network: a different path for entrepreneurial kids
41:05 – Health, routines, and fixing the mistakes JohnJay made in his 30s
44:23 – Precious Moments, family business, and using AI to carry on a legacy
49:28 – The biggest mistake ambitious young people make
50:52 – The one piece of advice JohnJay would give his younger self
Quote from JohnJay "You know, people, they don't really remember what you said on the radio, but they remember how you made them feel."
JohnJay Van Es’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnjayvanes/
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