Shawn Mendes: How to Let Go of Your Past Self and Fully Embrace Who You’ve Become Today

What part of your past self do you feel most attached to?

What fears are holding you back from embracing who you are now?

On this extremely special episode of On Purpose, Jay sits down with global music sensation and dear friend, Shawn Mendes. Shawn  is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter known for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. The two go in deep to Shawn’s newest album ‘Shawn.’ Shawn is an advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing his personal struggles with anxiety and self-discovery. 

For the first time, Shawn opens up about his struggles with anxiety and the difficult decision to cancel his world tour to focus on his mental health, sharing the weight of that moment and the liberating journey of prioritizing his well-being. He reflects on the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, the pressures of maintaining perfection, and how therapy, friendships, and embracing vulnerability helped him find balance and peace.

Shawn and Jay explore themes of love, relationships, and the intricacies of navigating public life while protecting private emotions. With heartfelt honesty, Shawn shares how he’s learned to diversify his life beyond music and embrace all forms of love, not just romantic, but the love that comes from connection and support from those around him.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to prioritize mental health

How to embrace vulnerability

How to let go of perfectionism

How to accept love and support

How to build emotional resilience

How to be honest in relationships

Remember, the hardest decisions often lead to the most meaningful transformations. Take care of yourself, lean on those around you, and trust that, with time, you will find your way to peace and authenticity.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

What We Discuss:

00:00Intro

03:54Clubhouse Studio’s Significance (Where the interview takes place!) 

05:51The Struggle of Asking for Help When Making Hard Life Decisions 

07:48Why Shawn Canceled His Tour

12:48Tough Choices and Growth

15:10Breakdowns Leading to Breakthroughs

17:09Finding Shawns Own Authenticity in Music

21:08The Power of Vulnerability and Expressing Emotional Truth 

23:50Letting Go of Ego to Heal

26:52Learning to Accept Yourself Through Therapy

28:42The Hardest Internal Question to Face

30:47The Power of Listening Without Judgment

32:51Learning How to Face Pain Instead of Running From It

38:18Finding Emotional Balance of Extreme Emotions

40:00Shawn Opens up About Grief and Guilt Over a Lost Friend

51:10Healing Through Art and Music

55:26Questioning ‘Forever’ in Love

59:09Maintaining Love Under Pressure

01:02:16The Importance of Over-Communication in Relationships 

01:03:50Why Partnership is More Than Just Love

01:07:27How to Be Open to Love that is Not Just Romantic 

01:13:38How to Avoid Focusing on the Highs

01:15:45Trusting Your Inner Voice and Learn How to Listen to Your Intuition 

01:18:36How to Surrender to Life Unfolding Naturally Without Forcing It 

01:21:59Surprise Note from Shawn’s Sister 

01:33:09Final Five with Shawn

Episode Resources:

Shawn Mendes | Website

Shawn Mendes | Instagram

Shawn Mendes | Facebook

Shawn Mendes | TikTok

Shawn Mendes | YouTube 

Shawn Mendes | LinkedIn

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