For decades, we’ve been told that success and spirituality live in separate worlds. One is about achievement, the other about inner peace. In this conversation, John Mackey shares why he believes the two are deeply connected. Reflecting on the journey of building Whole Foods Market, he explores how purpose, intuition, gratitude, and conscious leadership shaped both his business and his life. From navigating near-failure and selling the company to Amazon, to redefining success beyond money and status, this episode is a powerful invitation to lead with more awareness, build with more heart, and create a life that feels as meaningful on the inside as it looks on the outside.

In this episode you'll learn:

How to Build a Business With Purpose

How to Turn Setbacks Into Growth

How to Find Joy in Your Work

How to Turn Envy Into Learning

How to Create a Culture People Never Want to Leave

How to Make Difficult Decisions With Compassion

How to Stay Connected to What Matters Most

There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments when things don’t go according to plan, but those moments don’t define your journey. What matters is continuing to move forward with purpose, staying connected to what brings you joy, and remembering that success means little if it costs you who you are.

John’s book, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism, talks about why Whole Foods isn’t just a business success story, it’s the story of a retail, cultural, and dietary revolution that has forever changed the industry and the way we eat. Grab a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Story-Adventures-Love-Capitalism/dp/1637745125 

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe  

Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast 

What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:37 Answering the Call to Adventure

05:53 The Search for Meaning and Consciousness

09:42 A Spiritual Awakening Through Psychedelics

13:40 Exploring the Inner Universe

17:45 Envy Steals Joy

19:49 Understanding Ego Death

24:54 The Power of Play and Creativity

27:33 Follow What Brings You Joy

29:36 Confronting Your Inner Critic

33:45 Building a Business With Heart

35:45 The Gift of Being Fully Present

39:10 Responding to Life’s Greatest Challenges

41:35 Turn Mistakes Into Growth

44:24 The Rise of Conscious Leadership

46:15 The Decision to Sell to Amazon

53:34 A Year of Gratitude and Goodbyes

55:23 Attracting Great People to Your Mission

57:10 Letting People Go With Compassion

59:45 John on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Website | https://johnpmackey.com/ 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/iamjohnmackey 

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnmackey/ 

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey 

X | https://x.com/iamjohnmackey 

Linktree | https://linktr.ee/iamjohnmackey

For decades, we&rsquo;ve been told that success and spirituality live in separate worlds. One is about achievement, the other about inner peace. In this conversation, John Mackey shares why he believes the two are deeply connected. Reflecting on the journey of building Whole Foods Market, he explores how purpose, intuition, gratitude, and conscious leadership shaped both his business and his life. From navigating near-failure and selling the company to Amazon, to redefining success beyond money and status, this episode is a powerful invitation to lead with more awareness, build with more heart, and create a life that feels as meaningful on the inside as it looks on the outside.
In this episode you'll learn:
How to Build a Business With Purpose
How to Turn Setbacks Into Growth
How to Find Joy in Your Work
How to Turn Envy Into Learning
How to Create a Culture People Never Want to Leave
How to Make Difficult Decisions With Compassion
How to Stay Connected to What Matters Most
There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments when things don&rsquo;t go according to plan, but those moments don&rsquo;t define your journey. What matters is continuing to move forward with purpose, staying connected to what brings you joy, and remembering that success means little if it costs you who you are.
John&rsquo;s book, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism, talks about why Whole Foods isn&rsquo;t just a business success story, it&rsquo;s the story of a retail, cultural, and dietary revolution that has forever changed the industry and the way we eat. Grab a copy here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Story-Adventures-Love-Capitalism/dp/1637745125">https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Story-Adventures-Love-Capitalism/dp/1637745125</a>&nbsp;
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
JAY&rsquo;S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX
Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe <a href="https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe">https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe</a> &nbsp;
Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! <a href="https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast">https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast</a>&nbsp;
What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
02:37 Answering the Call to Adventure
05:53 The Search for Meaning and Consciousness
09:42 A Spiritual Awakening Through Psychedelics
13:40 Exploring the Inner Universe
17:45 Envy Steals Joy
19:49 Understanding Ego Death
24:54 The Power of Play and Creativity
27:33 Follow What Brings You Joy
29:36 Confronting Your Inner Critic
33:45 Building a Business With Heart
35:45 The Gift of Being Fully Present
39:10 Responding to Life&rsquo;s Greatest Challenges
41:35 Turn Mistakes Into Growth
44:24 The Rise of Conscious Leadership
46:15 The Decision to Sell to Amazon
53:34 A Year of Gratitude and Goodbyes
55:23 Attracting Great People to Your Mission
57:10 Letting People Go With Compassion
59:45 John on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Website | <a href="https://johnpmackey.com/">https://johnpmackey.com/</a>&nbsp;
Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/iamjohnmackey">https://www.facebook.com/iamjohnmackey</a>&nbsp;
Instagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnmackey/">https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnmackey/</a>&nbsp;
LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey">https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjohnmackey</a>&nbsp;
X | <a href="https://x.com/iamjohnmackey">https://x.com/iamjohnmackey</a>&nbsp;
Linktree | <a href="https://linktr.ee/iamjohnmackey">https://linktr.ee/iamjohnmackey</a>

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!

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!

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

My name is Jay Shetty, and my purpose is to make wisdom go viral. I’m fortunate to have fascinating conversations with the most insightful people in the world, and on my podcast, I’m sharing those conversations with you. New episodes Mondays and Fridays. Please rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it. Live life today ON PURPOSE.

John Mackey: Not Sure You're on the Right Path In Your Career? (Use THIS Framework When You Feel Lost About What's Next)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c803d668-4100-49d3-8de9-b47300601844/transcript