History of Jay Shetty in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2026

Jay Shetty is a prominent British-born author, podcast host, and former monk turned life coach. He gained global recognition for his mission to make ancient wisdom accessible, relevant, and practical for modern life through social media content and his widely popular podcast, 'On Purpose.' Shetty’s work focuses on personal development, mental health, mindfulness, and purpose-driven living. By blending storytelling with actionable advice, he has become a leading voice in the self-help industry. His influence extends through best-selling books like 'Think Like a Monk,' where he encourages readers to transcend negative thinking and cultivate habits of gratitude and service. Through his platforms, Shetty aims to help millions find clarity, build healthier relationships, and achieve a more meaningful, balanced lifestyle in an increasingly distracted world.

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Full Timeline

September 1987: Birth of Jay Shetty

On 6 September 1987, Jay Shetty, the future British podcaster, author, entrepreneur, and life coach, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2006: Hare Krishna youth group transformation

During a 2006 event held in France by the Iskcon Pandava Sena, a Hare Krishna youth group, Jay Shetty underwent a profound internal change and developed a deep appreciation for the Hare Krishna movement.

2007: Meeting with Gauranga Das

In 2007, during his time in business school, Jay Shetty attended a lecture by the monk Gauranga Das regarding selflessness and minimalism, subsequently joining him on his lecture tour across the United Kingdom.

2008: Retrospective interview regarding past transformation

In a 2008 interview, Jay Shetty reflected on his past, claiming that he experienced a significant spiritual transformation during a specific event two years prior.

October 2010: Arrival in India

In October 2010, Jay Shetty arrived in India. Although he later claimed to have begun a three-year period living as a monk, his own blog posts from that time suggest he stayed in the country for less than four months before departing.

2010: Graduation from Bayes Business School

In 2010, Jay Shetty successfully completed his higher education, graduating from the Bayes Business School at the City St George's, University of London with a degree in Management Science.

2013: Conclusion of claimed monk lifestyle period

By 2013, Jay Shetty's claimed three-year period of living at an ISKCON ashram in Mumbai concluded. However, reports and his own past blog entries suggest that he spent a significant portion of this time producing promotional content at Bhaktivedanta Manor in the UK rather than residing in India as previously stated.

2016: Won Asian Media Award for Best Blog

In 2016, Jay Shetty achieved recognition for his digital content work by winning the Asian Media Award for Best Blog.

2016: Transition to Independent Content Creation

In 2016, Jay Shetty transitioned away from his corporate role to pursue a career as an independent content creator, eventually being hired by Arianna Huffington to produce relationship-themed videos for the Huffington Post.

2017: Departure from Huffington Post and Move to Independent Production

In early 2017, Jay Shetty concluded his professional relationship with the Huffington Post and began independently releasing video content on platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.

2018: Won Streamy Award

During 2018, Jay Shetty was honored with a Streamy Award, recognizing his contributions and success in online video content.

2018: Media Appearances and Advisory Role

In 2018, Jay Shetty significantly expanded his public profile by appearing on major media platforms including The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk on Facebook, while also taking on a role as a personal spiritual adviser to Will Smith during that same year.

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April 2019: Outstanding Achievement Online Award at The Asian Awards

In April 2019, Jay Shetty received the Outstanding Achievement Online Award at The Asian Awards ceremony in recognition of his significant impact in the digital space.

May 2019: Best in Health & Wellness at the 11th Shorty Awards

During May 2019, Jay Shetty was recognized for his contributions to the digital wellness community by winning the Best in Health & Wellness category at the 11th annual Shorty Awards.

August 2019: Attribution Controversy and Correction

In August 2019, YouTuber Nicole Arbour publicly criticized Jay Shetty for sharing quotes on social media without giving proper credit to the original authors. In response to this scrutiny, Shetty retroactively added correct attributions to 113 of his Instagram posts.

2019: Growth in Social Media Following

By 2019, Jay Shetty reached significant milestones in his digital presence, amassing over 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and reaching 20 million followers on Facebook.

2019: Launch of On Purpose Podcast

In 2019, Jay Shetty launched his podcast titled On Purpose. The show achieved significant popularity during its debut year, garnering 64 million downloads and receiving recognition from Forbes as the world's number one health podcast.

2020: Founding of the Jay Shetty Certification School

In 2020, Jay Shetty launched the Jay Shetty Certification School, an online platform designed to train individuals to become accredited life coaches. The program offered a Level 7 diploma for $7,400 per term, marketed as having educational equivalence to a Master's degree in the United Kingdom.

2020: Publication of Think Like a Monk

In 2020, Jay Shetty reached a significant career milestone with the release of his debut book, Think Like a Monk, which was published by Simon & Schuster.

Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day

Check it on Amazon

2021: Launch of Juni Tea

In 2021, Jay Shetty and his wife, Radhi Devlukia-Shetty, introduced a new adaptogenic tea brand called Juni, which drew inspiration from the principles of Ayurveda.

2022: Jay Shetty Joins Calm

In 2022, Jay Shetty officially joined the meditation and mental wellness company Calm to contribute to their mission and content offerings.

July 2023: Interview with US President Joe Biden

In July 2023, Jay Shetty conducted a high-profile interview with US President Joe Biden at the White House to discuss the administration's mental health initiatives.

2024: Investigation into Accreditation Claims

A 2024 investigation by The Guardian revealed that the Jay Shetty Certification School had disseminated misleading information regarding its regulatory status. Ofqual clarified in 2024 that the institution held no affiliation with them and demanded the removal of references implying Ofqual regulation to prevent further consumer deception.

July 2025: Named to TIME100 Creators List

In July 2025, Jay Shetty received recognition for his influence and digital impact by being selected for the inaugural TIME100 Creators list published by Time magazine.