THE 2026 ISPA CONFERENCE COUNTDOWN

JAY SHETTY— global bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose, chief purpose officer of Calm, purpose-driven entrepreneur and former monk— has made an indelible impact on hearts and minds worldwide. With 500 million monthly views across platforms, he has a gift for making purpose and ancient wisdom not only relatable but also practical and accessible.

From monk to media mogul

Born and raised in London, Shetty was once a shy and introverted boy yearning to make a positive difference. His life transformed when he attended a talk by a monk— a moment that led him to question and redefine success, aspiring instead to a life of service, fulfillment and passion. After graduating from Cass Business School in 2010, Shetty felt uncertain about how his degree aligned with his purpose. He decided to embark on a three-year journey as a Hindu monk in India and the UK, trading his suits for robes and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. Waking at 4 a. m., taking cold showers and simplifying his diet became his new normal. Through dedicated study and daily meditation, Shetty delved into the ancient practices of breath and

mindfulness. During this transformative period, he realized his life’ s calling extended beyond himself: He was determined to help others find their purpose.

When Shetty left the monastery and returned to London in 2013, former classmates sought his wisdom and invited him to speak at their companies, where he shared insights on productivity and practical applications of his monk learnings in the workplace. Observing the world’ s shift toward a digital landscape, he recognized the potential to bridge the wisdom he had gained from his monastic experiences with the rapidly expanding digital world. Shetty created short videos that caught the attention of Arianna Huffington, who invited him to host HuffPost Rise in New York. Since embracing the opportunity in 2016, Shetty has shared viral wisdom, amassing more than 10 billion views and fostering a global community.

Building a global platform of calm and connection

Shetty harnessed the transformative power of media with the launch of On Purpose with Jay Shetty in 2019, one of the world’ s leading podcasts. He engages in conversations with some of the most influential and insightful individuals on

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