
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
iHeartPodcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace.
I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Categories: Health
Listen to the last episode:
Have you been pretending to be okay?
Is there something you’ve been keeping inside?
Today, Jay welcomes model, digital creator, and mother of three, Nara Smith, for an intimate conversation that blends vulnerability, wisdom, and humility. Known online for her serene ASMR-style cooking videos and elevated fashion-forward kitchen aesthetic, Nara opens up about the personal journey that shaped her—from her childhood in Germany to signing with IMG Models at just 14. Together, Jay and Nara explore the gap between her curated online image and her lived experience, touching on childhood influences, struggles with body image, and the courage it took to forge a creative career on her own terms.
Nara candidly opens up about the physical and emotional toll of working in the modeling industry at such a young age, the silent battles with her body through eczema and lupus, and how motherhood reshaped her priorities. She shares how cooking from scratch became a lifeline, first as a necessity to manage her health, then as a passion, and eventually as a business. As she and Jay reflect on marriage, communication, and the complexities of being modern, working mom, Nara’s groundedness and clarity shine through. Nara opens up about her love story with Lucky Blue Smith—their whirlwind but intentional path to marriage—and the beautifully messy reality of raising three kids. It’s a powerful reminder that real joy and purpose come from living true to yourself.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Balance Career, Motherhood, and Marriage
How to Heal Through Food and From-Scratch Cooking
How to Set Healthy Boundaries on Social Media
How to Communicate Better in a Relationship
How to Stay Grounded in a Fast-Paced World
How to Know When You’ve Met the Right Partner
How to Handle Online Criticism with Grace
No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re building a career, navigating relationships, chasing a dream, or simply trying to keep up with life’s daily demands, remember this: you don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to be worthy.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
02:16 Blending a Love for Fashion and Cooking
04:44 The Grandmother Who Shaped Her Life
07:57 Starting a Modeling Career at 14
09:15 How to Put Confidence Before Comparison
10:02 Protecting Kids from the Dangers of the Online World
11:59 How Early Parental Trust Can Fuel Success
12:49 Why You Should Never Sacrifice Your Health
14:03 Finding Real Love in the Digital World
17:01 How Modern Dating Has Evolved
18:55 Making Young Marriage Work
21:51 The Power of Knowing What You Want
23:45 Building a Relationship on Shared Values
26:30 Marriage Is Both Collaboration and Compromise
29:45 Why Fast-Paced Dating Doesn’t Work
30:54 Working Together to Strengthen Your Relationship
33:31 Communication Is Key to Connection
35:56 Becoming a Parent on Your Own Timeline
38:29 Your Life, Your Choices
42:18 Own and Celebrate Your Path
44:05 Don’t Let People’s Projections Define You
47:32 What You See Online Isn’t the Whole Truth
50:02 Facing Online Negativity with Strength
52:05 Other’s Opinions Don’t Determine Your Worth
53:25 Choosing What to Share and What to Keep Private
56:10 How Food and Diet Can Transform Your Health
01:00:29 Finding Joy and Creativity in Cooking
01:01:24 How Her Online Persona Was Born
01:04:05 The Reality Behind the Content
01:06:48 Simple Daily Habits That Strengthen a Relationship
01:09:44 Tackling the Hard Stuff with Joy
01:13:04 Dressing for Confidence and Productivity
01:17:58 Living Life on Your Own Terms
01:20:23 Nara on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Nara Smith | TikTok
Nara Smith | Instagram
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Previous episodes
-
694 - Nara Smith: ‘The Comments and the Hate Got to Me. I Was Crying Every Single Day.’ The REAL Story Behind Her Viral Persona, Online Criticism & Discovering Her Self-Worth Wed, 09 Jul 2025
-
693 - Dr. Orna Gurlanik: Struggling to Communicate With Your Partner? THIS One Habit Could Slowly Be Destroying Your Relationship! (Here’s How to Catch It Before It’s Too Late!) Mon, 07 Jul 2025
-
692 - Feeling Unsupported, Misunderstood, or Doubted? You Are Not Alone! (THIS 7-Step Method Will Help Silence the Self Doubt And Build REAL Confidence) Fri, 04 Jul 2025
-
691 - People-Pleasers — If You're Afraid to Stand Up for Yourself, Do THIS to Speak Up Without the Fear of Losing the People You Love With Africa Brooke Wed, 02 Jul 2025
-
690 - Dr. Darshan Shah: Can’t Focus, Sleep, or Lose Weight — it Could be From the Toxins in Your Every Day Products! (Do These SIMPLE Daily Swaps to Undo the Damage NOW!) Mon, 30 Jun 2025
-
689 - Feel Stuck in the Wrong Job? This ONE Mindset Shift Will Help You FINALLY Discover Your Purpose (Even If You’re Starting From Zero) Fri, 27 Jun 2025
-
688 - Julia Fox EXCLUSIVE: ‘I Still Hear a Voice That Says I’m Nothing’ (The Real Story Behind Surviving Addiction, Life as a Sex Worker, and How Motherhood Saved Her) Wed, 25 Jun 2025
-
687 - Dr. Daniel Amen: Struggling to focus, Stay Organized, or Feeling Overwhelmed by Your to-do List? ADHD Could Be Quietly Running Your Life (THIS is what to DO!) Mon, 23 Jun 2025
-
686 - If You Can’t Get Over Your Ex—Listen to This! (7 Steps to Stop Obsessing and FINALLY Move on After a Breakup) Fri, 20 Jun 2025
-
685 - Jay's Must-Listens: Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck! 4 Money Experts Break Down How to FINALLY Achieve Financial Freedom (Even If You’re Starting From Zero!) Ft. Codie Sanchez And Scott Galloway Wed, 18 Jun 2025
-
684 - Cynthia Erivo: ‘I Was Working To Prove That I Was Worth Loving’ (How to Finally Let Go of the Need For Approval & Build Real Self-Worth) Mon, 16 Jun 2025
-
683 - If Your Life Hasn’t Gone to Plan — This is For YOU! (6 Step Framework To Take Back Control and Build The Life You Want!) Fri, 13 Jun 2025
-
682 - Wim Hof: Do THIS 10-Minute Breathing Exercise And ACTUALLY Lower Your Risk of Disease And Calm Your Anxiety Wed, 11 Jun 2025
-
681 - Simon Sinek: Not Every Friendship Is Meant to Last—And That’s Okay! (THIS is How to Know If It’s Time To Walk Away From Adult Friendships That No Longer Fit) Mon, 09 Jun 2025
-
680 - Stop Chasing Emotionally Unavailable People (Listen To This To Attract a Long Term Relationship And Stop Wasting Your Time In The Wrong Ones) With Lisa Bilyeu Fri, 06 Jun 2025
-
679 - Jay’s Must-Listens: If You’re Feeling Stuck Use These 4 Methods To ACTUALLY Manifest What You Really Want (Ft. Roxi Nafousi and Dr. Tara Swart) Wed, 04 Jun 2025
-
678 - Sleep Expert Matthew Walker: Do THIS to Sleep Through The Night And Never Wake Up Tired Again Mon, 02 Jun 2025
-
677 - Stop Chasing Love! (How to Shift Your Mindset to Start Attracting It) With Tinx Fri, 30 May 2025
-
676 - If You’re a People Pleaser Listen to This! (Why Putting Yourself First Isn’t Selfish, It’s Necessary For Real Connection) Wed, 28 May 2025
-
675 - Sadia Khan: Stop Ignoring Red Flags! (How to Train Your Brain to Know When To Walk Away) Mon, 26 May 2025
-
674 - Do THIS to Stop Spiraling (7 Steps to Instantly Break the Cycle of Negative Thoughts) Fri, 23 May 2025
-
673 - The Easiest Way to Start Investing Today— No Experience Needed (You Just Need $1!) with Robinhood CEO Wed, 21 May 2025
-
672 - Communication Expert Vinh Giang: Why You Keep Getting Interrupted (How to Use Your Voice So People ACTUALLY Listen) Mon, 19 May 2025
-
671 - 7 Harsh Truths I Wish I Knew in My 20’s (I Would’ve Found My Purpose QUICK!) Fri, 16 May 2025
-
670 - Comedian Bert Kreischer: My Constant Battle with My Inner Critic (Overcoming Anxiety, Chasing Approval & The Pressure to Be Funny) Wed, 14 May 2025
-
669 - Vanessa Van Edwards: Stop Overthinking Every Social Interaction! (Use THESE Cues to Be Liked, Respected, and Build Confidence in Every Conversation) Mon, 12 May 2025
-
668 - The 15 Minute Morning Reset (Do This Today to Completely Recharge Your Mind and Body) Fri, 09 May 2025
-
667 - Jay's Must- Listens: Before You Text Your Ex… Listen to This! 5 Love Experts Share the SECRET to Let Go and Move On (Ft. Esther Perel, Mel Robbins, & Matthew Hussey) Wed, 07 May 2025
-
666 - Khloé Kardashian: My Side that Nobody Knows (Truth Behind Headlines, Divorce, Co-Parenting) Mon, 05 May 2025
-
665 - Do THIS 2 Minute Trick To Stop a Negative Spiral INSTANTLY (Overthinkers You Need to Hear This Episode!) Fri, 02 May 2025
-
664 - Jay’s Must-Listens: 5 Nutrition Experts on the Foods to Eat (and Avoid) to Improve Digestion and Stop Bloating (Ft. Dr. Casey Means & The Glucose Goddess) Wed, 30 Apr 2025
-
663 - Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson: Break the Generational Patterns Holding You Back (How to Build Confidence, Responsibility, and Emotional Resilience) Mon, 28 Apr 2025
-
662 - You Are Not Responsible For Other People’s Feelings (How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt) Fri, 25 Apr 2025
-
661 - Humble the Poet: Transform Your Relationship With Anxiety (6 Strategies for Overthinkers Wed, 23 Apr 2025
-
660 - Deepak Chopra: How to Ask AI The RIGHT Questions To Grow, Heal, and Live a More Fulfilled Life Mon, 21 Apr 2025
-
659 - Is Your Ex Keeping You From Finding Real Love? 5 Hidden Signs You Are Missing Fri, 18 Apr 2025
-
658 - Kate Cassidy EXCLUSIVE: Sharing Her Last Conversation with Liam Payne and The Real Story Behind Their Relationship Wed, 16 Apr 2025
-
657 - Dr. Vonda Wright: Formula to Lose Weight and Gain Muscle (Why your Current Workout is Not Giving You Results) Mon, 14 Apr 2025
-
656 - Why Making New Friends Feels Exhausting As An Adult (And How to Make It Easier) Fri, 11 Apr 2025
-
655 - Jay’s Must-Listens: 7 Transformative Lessons to Build Confidence And Real Self Worth (Ft. Kobe Bryant & Kendall Jenner) Wed, 09 Apr 2025
-
654 - LIZZO EXCLUSIVE: “Releasing The Weight Has Affected People” The Real Transformation Story She’s Never Shared Before Mon, 07 Apr 2025
-
653 - Do This Every Morning to Boost Energy & Stay Focused (3 Minute Habit to Kickstart Your Day) Fri, 04 Apr 2025
-
652 - Jay’s Must Listens: What Every Parent Needs to Hear Right Now—How to Raise Confident & Emotionally Strong Kids (Ft. Dr. Amen & Kim Kardashian) Wed, 02 Apr 2025
-
651 - David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) Mon, 31 Mar 2025
-
650 - 5 steps To Find Your Purpose (The Fast Track To Build The Life You Want) Fri, 28 Mar 2025
-
649 - Suneera Madhani: Why Most Founders Fail—7 Things You Must Do to Succeed Wed, 26 Mar 2025
-
648 - Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco EXCLUSIVE: Their Love Story Like You’ve Never Heard Before Mon, 24 Mar 2025
-
647 - Best Dating Advice For People In Their 30s (You're Not Behind) Fri, 21 Mar 2025
-
646 - Hannah Berner: Why Getting Fired Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me Wed, 19 Mar 2025
-
645 - Wendy Suzuki: 2 Powerful Tools To Use When You Feel Stressed Out (This Will Lower Your Anxiety in 1 Minute) Mon, 17 Mar 2025