Julia Fox EXCLUSIVE: ‘I Still Hear a Voice That Says I’m Nothing’ (The Real Story Behind Surviving Addiction, Life as a Sex Worker, and How Motherhood Saved Her)

About this episode

Do you ever struggle with your self-worth? What helps you get through your darkest days? Today, in the first-ever live episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty— not in a studio, but live on stage in front of thousands. To kick things off, Jay sits down with actress, author, and cultural disruptor Julia Fox for a raw, unfiltered conversation about pain, transformation, and purpose. What begins as an unlikely pairing unfolds into something profoundly human. Julia takes us deep into her story, one marked by emotional neglect, addiction, survival, and self-erasure, but with that also comes incredible grit, self-awareness, and resilience. Julia speaks about living with the trauma of not feeling worthy, and the long, complex journey of unlearning that narrative.  Together, they explore what it means to numb emotions through substance or toxic relationships, the role of compartmentalization as a survival mechanism, and the beauty of reclaiming identity through motherhood, celibacy, and sobriety. Julia shares how prayer, manifestation, and divine timing helped shift her path and how writing her memoir became the therapy she needed. Through tears, laughter, and confessions, this episode reminds us that healing doesn’t always look linear. Sometimes it looks like chaos, courage, and the difficult choice to keep going. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Break the Cycle of Feeling Unworthy How to Set Boundaries That Protect Your Peace How to Reclaim Control After Addiction How to Be Okay With Being Seen How to Heal Without Needing Closure How to Build a Life Without Numbing Yourself How to Accept What You Can’t Change Your truth is not too much. Your past does not define your future. And you are worthy, always.  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.  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 02:01 Owning Your Main Character Energy 03:15 Finding Beauty in Everyday Moments 04:29 The Art of People Watching 05:04 How Childhood Trauma Shapes Self-Worth 08:15 Growing Up in Emotional Isolation 09:42 Coping by Shutting Down 14:21 Entering a World of Survival & Power 18:21 The Power of Setting Boundaries 19:36 How Prayer Became a Path to Change 23:13 Escaping Her Darkest Moments 25:30 A Friendship That Changed Everything 26:34 How Motherhood Became Her Lifeline 28:31 The Freedom of Living Your Truth 31:12 Why Parental Support Matters 33:30 Navigating a Difficult Parental Relationship 34:50 Accepting What You Can’t Control 35:59 The Lasting Impact of Emotionally Unavailable Parents 36:53 Surviving Near-Death Experiences 38:38 Finding the Will to Live 39:31 What the Adult Industry Taught Her About Power 40:56 The Pressure to Prove Yourself 42:00 Letting Go of People’s Opinions 44:22 The Fear of Being Truly Seen 45:37 Reflecting on Past, Present, and Future 57:10 Processing a Traumatic Miscarriage 58:37 Finding Purpose in Helping Others 01:01:26 Julia on Final Five Episode Resources: Julia Fox | TikTok Julia Fox | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices