E192 - Jax Jones: The letter I wrote that changed my life

Jax Jones, known privately as Timucin Lam, is a DJ, songwriter and record producer. He rose to fame in 2014 and since then has sold over 35 million records, with 4 billion streams. For the first time, he opens up to Jake and Damian about how his turbulent childhood, challenging family relationships and immense pressure to succeed from a young age has shaped him: “Music was a way out. It was a way to mean something.” Jax shares the details of his manifesto, which he wrote at a crucial time in his life and what this means for his future.

He describes himself as constantly being followed by a ghost, a dark shadow that drives him ruthlessly to achieve any goal. Being in therapy from a young age has led him to great self-reflection and analysis, which allows him to turn his life into valuable lessons for those listening.

Jax Jones' single Whistle ft. Calum Scott is out now:  jaxjones.lnk.to/Whistle 

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On Tuesday June 14th we're at the Hackney Empire for a special live episode and Q&A with Rugby Union legend Dan Carter! Tickets include a signed copy of Dan Carter’s new book - THE ART OF WINNING. https://tourlink.to/HPDanCarter

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* **The Power of High Performance:**
* Jax Jones defines high performance as giving everything he has to his family, career, and the people around him, even when he feels depleted.
* In his youth, high performance meant being selfish and sacrificing normal experiences to pursue his dream of becoming a musician.


* **The Gift and Curse of a Turbulent Upbringing:**
* Jax's upbringing was marked by a chaotic and turbulent family environment, particularly with his stepfather.
* This led him to develop a strong drive to succeed and escape his circumstances, fueling his passion for music.
* The pressure to succeed and the fear of disappointing others became a driving force in his life.


* **The Importance of Therapy:**
* Jax underwent therapy from a young age, which helped him develop self-reflection and analysis.
* Therapy allowed him to turn his life experiences into valuable lessons for himself and others.


* **The Manifesto:**
* During a transformative time in his life, Jax wrote a manifesto to explore his feelings and motivations.
* The manifesto reflects his journey of self-discovery and his desire to find joy and purpose in his music.
* It emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and connecting with others through music.


* **Overcoming Abandonment:**
* Jax experienced abandonment from his biological father and later in his adult life.
* He believes that abandonment can teach self-sustenance and resilience.
* Jax found healing and self-reliance by immersing himself in music and pursuing his passion.


* **The Healing Power of Music:**
* Music became an outlet for Jax to express his emotions and cope with his challenging circumstances.
* He found solace and a sense of belonging in the creative process.
* Music allowed him to connect with others and make a positive impact on the world.


* **The Importance of Vulnerability:**
* Jax emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in personal and professional relationships.
* He believes that being vulnerable allows for deeper connections and more meaningful experiences.
* Jax encourages others to embrace their vulnerability and share their true selves with the world.


* **The Pursuit of Joy:**
* Jax's current focus is on finding joy and happiness in his music and his life.
* He seeks to create music that brings joy to others and provides an escape from life's challenges.
* Jax believes that joy is unwavering and can be found even in difficult circumstances.

**Navigating Childhood Trauma, Overcoming Negativity, and Embracing Joy: A Conversation with Jax Jones**

1. **Early Life and Challenges:**
- Jax Jones, also known as Timucin Lam, faced a turbulent childhood marked by family issues and immense pressure to succeed.
- He found solace in music, using it as an outlet to channel his negativity into achieving his goals.
- Jones describes being haunted by a "dark shadow" that relentlessly drives him to pursue success.

2. **Therapy and Self-Reflection:**
- Therapy played a significant role in Jones' journey, helping him gain self-awareness and turn his life experiences into valuable lessons.
- He emphasizes the importance of using negative emotions as fuel for personal growth and achievement.

3. **The Power of Isolation:**
- Jones acknowledges the power in embracing isolation and self-reliance, especially when dealing with feelings of abandonment.
- He believes that this mindset can lead to a unique strength and determination to succeed on one's own terms.

4. **Hard Work and Sacrifice:**
- Jones emphasizes the significance of hard work and sacrifice in achieving success.
- He describes working tirelessly, taking on any opportunity that came his way, and never allowing his ego to hinder his progress.

5. **Overcoming Doubters and Haters:**
- Jones reveals that he still struggles with the lingering presence of doubters and haters who criticized his abilities and potential.
- He acknowledges that these negative experiences continue to haunt him, even after achieving significant success.

6. **The Pursuit of Joy:**
- Despite his success, Jones admits that he struggled to find joy and happiness in his achievements.
- He realized that external validation and material possessions did not fulfill him, leading him on a quest for genuine joy.

7. **Finding Joy in Reclaiming the Past:**
- Jones found joy in reclaiming his teenage years through his music, infusing his current work with the sounds and influences that shaped his youth.
- This process allowed him to revisit positive memories and experiences, transforming them into creative expression.

8. **Lightening the Shadow:**
- Jones describes a shift in his mindset, moving from being driven by the shadow of his past to embracing the lightness of joy and freedom.
- He emphasizes the importance of making difficult decisions that ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life.

9. **Finding Balance in Family and Work:**
- Jones recognizes the challenge of balancing his career and family life, striving to create a harmonious existence that prioritizes both.
- He highlights the importance of setting boundaries and making conscious choices to ensure a healthy and fulfilling life.

10. **Embracing Imperfection:**
- Jones discusses his evolving approach to music production, moving away from perfectionism and embracing the beauty of flaws and human elements.
- He believes that this approach allows for more authentic and relatable music that resonates with listeners.

11. **The Importance of Self-Development:**
- Jones emphasizes the significance of continuous self-development and growth, pushing oneself to become better in all aspects of life.
- He stresses the importance of integrity, keeping one's word, and taking care of one's physical and mental well-being.

12. **Final Message of Encouragement:**
- Jones concludes with a powerful message, urging listeners to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams, regardless of their circumstances.
- He believes that everyone has the potential to achieve greatness and encourages them to embrace their journey with determination and resilience.

# Jax Jones: Overcoming Trauma to Find Deep Joy and Freedom

Jax Jones, known as Timucin Lam, is a renowned DJ, songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame in 2014. With over 35 million records sold and 4 billion streams, he opens up about his turbulent childhood, challenging family relationships, and immense pressure to succeed from a young age.

Growing up, Jones constantly felt followed by a dark shadow, driving him relentlessly to achieve his goals. Therapy from a young age led him to self-reflection and analysis, allowing him to extract valuable lessons from his life experiences.

Despite his success, Jones experienced a loss of love for music, joy, and a sense of depression during the global pandemic. This prompted him to confront his past traumas and work on his personal growth.

Jones emphasizes the importance of facing and understanding one's inner demons rather than running away from them. By doing so, he was able to replace the shadow with lightness and use it as a catalyst for growth.

The podcast highlights the concept of post-traumatic growth, where individuals can find fulfillment and happiness after experiencing traumatic events. Jones' journey exemplifies this concept, as he transformed his challenges into a positive outcome.

Jones' story resonates with the idea that overcoming past traumas can lead to deep joy, freedom, and excitement about the future. It challenges the notion that successful individuals cannot experience personal struggles and emphasizes the importance of addressing inner conflicts to achieve true fulfillment.

The podcast also explores the common thread among many high achievers, where they may experience apathy and inertia despite their accomplishments. Jones' experience of losing his passion for music and joy highlights the need to identify and nurture the activities that bring genuine happiness.

The discussion emphasizes the significance of designing one's life to include meaningful activities that bring joy and fulfillment, rather than just filling it with busyness and activity.

Overall, the podcast offers a powerful and inspiring message about overcoming adversity, finding joy, and designing a life that aligns with one's values and passions.