SOCIAL media influencer, bestselling author, life coach, inspiration to the likes of Michelle Obama, Will Smith and J Lo, over whose wedding to Ben Affleck he officiated. For many, Jay Shetty needs little introduction. The charismatic British-Indian guru with the penetrating grey-green eyes has millions of fans who take his self-help lessons as gospel and hang on to every word he writes or speaks.
His brand of inspiration and motivation has turned him into a multimillionaire, earned him an astounding following on social media and seen him win numerous health and wellness awards.
His website heralds his talent for "making purpose and ancient wisdom not only relatable but also practical and easily accessible". Forbes magazine described him as a game-changer for his On Purpose podcast, which helped fuel the popularity of podcasts.
But Jay has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. An investigation by UK newspaper The Guardian says the 36-year-old fabricated parts of his past and never lived for three years in India as a Hindu monk, as he's so famously claimed.
Journalist John McDermott says he came across many inconsistencies in Jay's backstory after being commissioned to write about him for Esquire magazine. The religious background Jay regularly shares on his talk shows, advice videos and in books is full of holes, he adds. Jay has based his entire persona on the claim that his life changed at 18 after he attended a talk by a monk named Gauranga Das while he was at business school in London.
It led to him having a major spiritual awakening that saw him skipping his graduation ceremony, trading his suits for robes, shaving his head and heading to an ashram in India.
This story is from the 21 March 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 21 March 2024 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DIDDY'S DISGRACE
A video showing singer Cassie being attacked by Sean Diddy Combs reveals the disturbing reality of their relationship
THE BABY-FACED ASSASSIN
Manchester City’s Phil Foden is fast becoming one of the top talents in the English Premier League
OODLES OF POODLES
Kaz’s latest dog show triumph is the culmination of years as one of the world’s top trainers of the breed
MY LIFE IS PURE HELL
A reader wrote to YOU recounting her harrowing experience of living with a narcissist for decades. Pieter Van Zyl relays her story
THE LOTTO CURSE
Over the years Andy Carter has helped 2 000 lottery winners adapt to life as newly minted millionaires. Here he shares the worst mistakes he’s seen people make and reveals why instead of being a passport to freedom, a jackpot win can actually make things far more complicated
IT'S NOT YOU IT'S ADHD
We ask experts to explain the rise in late diagnosis of the condition in women
BITTER SWEET
Arina was diagnosed with cancer while carrying her miracle baby and made the tough choice to start chemo while pregnant
SHE'S GOT THE POWER
Monica Lewinsky was on suicide watch after the humiliating Bill Clinton scandal, but she has now turned her life around and become a force to be reckoned with
IT'S ALL OVER!
For 26 years she was the Bok coach’s support system on the side lines – travelling with him for work, taking care of the kids and celebrating his world cup victories. Now Rassie and Nicolene have divorced
JUST NO WAY THIS IS GOING TO WORK!
Separate houses, time apart, fundamental differences – fears are mount for Ben and Jen’s marriage