We caught up with the brilliant and insightful John Jamieson Michaels a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
John Jamieson, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence through being an overcomer. When I was young, I would get called a loser; even by people in my own family. Over time, I began to believe it. In 9th grade I had serious self-loathing and self doubt issues. I didn’t like the way I looked, I hated myself at moments, and I would actually punch myself in the face. It was pretty gnarly. That was the same year I later discovered the concept of personal development. I become obsessed with becoming the best version of me. At first, it was books on how to get girls, and later it become books like Think And Grow Rich, The Power of Positive Thinking, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, How To Win Friends And Influence People, Tony Robbins Books, The Alchemist, and the like. I have a very addictive and obsessive personality, and I immerse myself fully into whatever subject I am interested in. Lately, it has been acting! I’ve even had a very close friend tell me, “JJ, you’re like a magnifying glass; whatever you focus on becomes your entire reality.” A pivotal moment came when my Mema (A Southern term for Grandmother – my mom’s mom, specifically) bought me subscriptions to GQ and Esquire Magazines. As a self proclaimed “World of Warcraft playing nerd,” I would look at The Fragrance Campaigns and the style of how cool I thought the male models looked. They were physically shredded, and their style was impeccable. I told myself I had no idea how, but one day I would be on the cover of those same magazines. Though I told very few people, if any at that time, about my secret dream; this newfound vision inspired me to get a gym membership. I would get on bodybuilding.com, study the most ripped guys’ lifestyle habits, and I began working out like a mad man! I would go to the gym 5 days a week at least, and I started reading more about nutrition online. Six months into my journey, pretty girls started complimenting my arms. I had found my new obsession. At first, the self confidence primarily came from external validation. This inspired me to stay consistent to the point that I would only take a week off once a quarter, if that, to allow my body to recover. I was absolutely addicted to working out, the self confidence it brought me, and the external validation I was getting from women and men alike by this time. My dad was proud of me, and I began feeling strong and courageous. My masculinity was budding like never before. The endorphins were flowing too. At this point in my life, I do my best not to seek external validation. I am more driven by the concepts of self mastery, becoming a better version of myself daily, expanding my horizons, and shattering limiting beliefs. For example, my line of work won’t allow me to get bigger and more muscular currently; so I’ve set new goals such as getting my front and side splits. As a man who hated stretching in early Physical Education Classes, this has posed to be quite the challenge. After almost two years of stretching consistently with Russian Gymnasts, I am just inches from doing a front split, and I have gained a lot of self confidence and discipline in an area that I once had so much resistance towards. That is what I mean by self mastery. I completed a 21 Mile Run last Monday with some buddies, and I did a 21 Day Water Fast this past January. That means I only drank water for almost a month. I am inspired by extreme physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual feats. The Japanese refer to this concept as “misogi.” In short, now my self confidence comes from outdoing my previous self and being disciplined in what I set out to do. “Compete with no one, and no one can compete with you!”
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My Mission: To be a living contribution to Heaven on Earth
Heaven on Earth is not some religious pie in the sky fairytale ideal, yet rather the highest possible reality; at the highest vibration, that we as humans can all share sustainably and toxin-free.
My Vision: Clean air, water, and soil for all humankind.
My existence poses the question, “how can we have a healthy world if we’re not healthy at the individual level ourselves, first?
To utilize examples of people who have done a semblance of the journey I am embarking upon:
10 Year Vision: To become The Male Gwyneth Paltrow (minus the witchy stuff); The Matthew McConaughey of Holistic Health; with the investing skills of Ashton Kutcher & Ryan Reynolds. In other words, become an A-List Celebrity who builds his business endeavors around personal as well as planetary wellness; Holistic Health for the entire world.
Actionably, as a people; we don’t have to stop eating pizza and ice cream. We just need the toxic chemicals: herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and ultimately suicides that are poisoning our air, water and food supply gone. It is time for businesses to prioritize people over profit, and not the other way around!
These toxins are causing cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and they are responsible for many of the other societal health issues we are facing. As we witnessed from the global health pandemic we just came through, many of our brothers and sisters on this planet are suffering from both mental health issues and physical health issues alike.
Though I am no better than ANYONE, I have been blessed with an extensive knowledge base on The Human Gut Microbiome. I call the gut, “The Seat of Heaven on Earth.” What I mean by that is: the gut is seat of 90% of our serotonin (our natural happiness chemical), it is the seat of 75-80% of our immunity, and it is the seat of our second brain. We have brain matter – ganglia and neurons in our gut, that fire neurotransmitters back and forth from the gut, to the heart, to the brain stem and back via the superhighway that is our vagus nerve. Simply put, if our gut is being hammered by all of these toxins stated above; we aren’t happy, we aren’t healthy, and we don’t have clarity of mind.
The current solution is to actively live a detoxification lifestyle and to prioritize organic (nontoxic) foods, nontoxic living, and clean water. When I am not on set, I work with both with individual clients one on one and in group settings teach this new operating system.
Buckminster Fuller said it best: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Prioritizing a connection with God first and foremost, nutrition, and perseverance. Seek and find until you have a vision for your life. Study things you may be interested in. Take actions steps every single day towards that vision. The internet is wonderful. We can learn anything at the tips of our fingers.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am looking for people are are passionate and driven in the areas of personal and planetary health; those who are interested in cultivating healthy human beings and a healthy world alike. Find me on instagram @j.j.michaels and DM me. I’m very friendly, welcoming, and open!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @j.j.michaels
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JJMichaelsJr/
- Twitter: @j.j.michaels
- Youtube: @j.j.michaels
Image Credits
@aldavidimage
@ulikula
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