Hannah Berner: Why Getting Fired Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me

About this episode

Have you ever been fired from a job? Did it end up leading you to something better? Today, Jay sits down with comedian, podcaster, and former reality TV star Hannah Berner to explore her unconventional journey—from competitive tennis to stand-up comedy. Hannah shares how she’s mastered the art of pivoting, embracing change, and knowing when to walk away from something that no longer serves her. Hannah opens up about her struggles with performance anxiety during her tennis career and the surprising sense of calm she found on stage. Through humor and self-reflection, Hannah shares how life’s setbacks—like getting fired from reality TV—turned out to be unexpected blessings that helped her find her true purpose.  Jay and Hannah also discuss the importance of trusting your instincts, quitting with confidence, and listening to your body when it tells you something isn’t right. Things get personal as Hannah opens up about love, marriage, and self-worth, sharing the importance of relationships should feel effortless and not draining.  In this interview, you'll learn: How to Overcome Performance Anxiety How to Trust Your Instincts in Big Decisions How to Create a Career That Aligns with Your Personality How to Navigate the Challenges of Marriage and Long-Term Commitment How to Let Go of External Validation and Focus on Self-Worth How to Handle Criticism and Keep Moving Forward Whether you’re questioning your career, your relationships, or your purpose, trust that walking away from what doesn’t serve you is just as powerful as chasing what does. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there! What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:38 The Right Athletic Attitude 03:02 Becoming an Expert Quitter 06:40 Coach Yourself Out of Negative Self-Talk 12:18 Performance Anxiety 15:06 Moving Towards Your Calm 16:32 Finding Your Own Comfort Zone 20:06 Letting Go of Ego 24:37 People-Pleasing Tendencies 29:09 Fired by Bravo 30:46 Self Confidence or Self Worth? 31:30 A Different Kind of Revenge Mindset 34:31 Loving Your Own Story 38:44 Get Good at Planning Personal Breaks 41:07 Dealing with the Craziest Rumors  42:22 Mom Intuition is Real 46:34 Emotional Unavailability in Relationships 49:59 Modern Dating Struggles  53:36 Surprising Challenges in Marriage 56:50 What’s Your Love Language? 01:00:20 Find Your Superpower 01:05:43 A Message to Your Younger Self 01:07:54 How Do You Chase Your Dreams? 01:12:08 Hannah on Final Five Episode Resources: Hannah Berner | Website Hannah Berner | Snapchat Hannah Berner | Instagram  Hannah Berner | TikTok  Hannah Berner | X How to Giggle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices