Lewis Hamilton ON: EVERYTHING You've Been Taught About Success Is A LIE... | Jay Shetty

TL;DR

Lewis Hamilton defines success as continuing to believe in yourself while using achievement to create opportunities for others. The seven-time Formula One World Champion describes enduring bullying and racial discrimination from age six, learning resilience from his father, and finding purpose through diversity and inclusion efforts such as Mission 44. Read on for his perspective on perseverance, failure, emotional growth, and impact beyond racing.

Transcript

I think the easiest thing in life is to give up on whatever you know whatever you're focused on or whatever you're hopeful for the hardest thing is to keep going but we have to like we have to continue to hold on and I would imagine for so many people out there that is probably the most difficult thing the best-selling author and host the number on... Read More

Key Insights

• Success is transient and offers limited learning opportunities compared to failures.
• Lewis Hamilton faced racial discrimination and bullying from a young age, impacting his school experience.
• Perseverance and self-belief are crucial in overcoming adversity and achieving dreams.
• Hamilton's father played a pivotal role in his racing career, embodying hard work and dedication.
• Finding purpose beyond personal success can lead to greater fulfillment and societal impact.
• Hamilton advocates for diversity and inclusion, particularly in motorsports, through initiatives like Mission 44.
• Emotional mastery and self-awareness are vital for personal growth and effective leadership.
• Hamilton emphasizes the importance of being open, vulnerable, and selfless in driving positive change.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Lewis Hamilton define success and purpose?

Hamilton sees success as temporary and believes failures provide more opportunities to learn. He finds deeper purpose in using his platform to promote positive change, equal opportunities, and empowerment beyond his personal achievements.

Q: What was the hardest thing Lewis Hamilton had to do to become successful?

Hamilton says the hardest task was continuing to believe in himself without letting that belief veer off course. Despite teachers doubting him, bullying, discrimination, and adversity, he kept his attention on his dream and refused to give up.

Q: What challenges did Lewis Hamilton face at school?

Hamilton describes school as the most traumatizing and difficult part of his life. He says bullying began at age six, when he was one of about three children of color at his school, and included exclusion, physical mistreatment, racial slurs, and objects such as bananas being thrown at him.

Q: What does Lewis Hamilton say about perseverance?

Hamilton says giving up on a goal or hope is easy, while continuing to move forward is difficult. His message is to keep your head up, hold on, and maintain focus on your dream despite distractions and adversity.

Q: What role did Lewis Hamilton's father play in his racing career?

Hamilton credits his father’s dedication and hard work as a pivotal influence on his career. His father supported his karting, served as a mechanic and mentor, and helped instill the resilience and work ethic Hamilton needed to pursue racing.

Q: What is the purpose of Lewis Hamilton's Mission 44?

Mission 44 supports Hamilton’s efforts to advance diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. The initiative reflects his goal of addressing barriers and inspiring future generations, especially within underrepresented groups and communities.

Q: What is Lewis Hamilton's perspective on diversity in motorsports?

Hamilton advocates for greater diversity and inclusion in motorsports because he recognizes the industry’s lack of representation. Through Mission 44 and his public platform, he works to create opportunities and inspire future generations.

Q: Why are self-awareness and vulnerability important to Lewis Hamilton?

Hamilton regards emotional mastery and self-awareness as important for personal growth and effective leadership. He believes openness, vulnerability, and selflessness can help people navigate challenges, inspire others, and drive positive change.

Summary

In this video, Jay Shetty interviews Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One World Champion and passionate activist. They discuss Hamilton's journey, including the challenges he faced in school, the importance of belief in oneself, and his mission to create change and representation in the racing industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the most difficult thing for Lewis Hamilton in order to be who he is today?

Lewis Hamilton believes that the most difficult thing for him has been continuing to have belief in himself despite facing adversity, discrimination, and bullying throughout his life. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused on his goals and not giving up.

Q: How did Lewis Hamilton navigate through the bullying and racism he faced in school?

Lewis Hamilton shares that school was the most difficult and traumatizing part of his life. He was often bullied, faced discrimination, and felt like he didn't fit in. He recalls being one of the few students of color in his school and not seeing representation in history lessons. He suppressed his emotions and found solace and empowerment in racing, using it as an outlet to channel his emotions.

Q: Did Lewis Hamilton's success on the track satisfy him completely?

While winning races brought Hamilton moments of happiness, he realized that success alone wasn't fulfilling. He wanted to use his platform and success to create a bigger purpose and make a positive impact in the world. He became passionate about education, diversity, and inclusion, and started having difficult conversations with his team and sponsors to bring about change.

Q: How did Lewis Hamilton take a stand for racial equality?

In 2020, following the death of George Floyd, Lewis Hamilton took a knee and wore a Black Lives Matter shirt during races as a symbol of protest and support for racial equality. He recognized the importance of using his platform and influence to raise awareness, spark conversations, and push for change within the racing industry and society as a whole.

Q: Did Lewis Hamilton face any internal struggles while advocating for change externally?

Yes, Hamilton admits that while he was advocating for change and taking a stand, he was also going through his own healing process. He had suppressed emotions and experiences from his past that resurfaced, which made his advocacy work even more powerful and personal. He experienced both a sense of liberation and vulnerability during this time.

Q: How did Lewis Hamilton's relationship with his dad influence his journey?

Lewis Hamilton's dad played a significant role in his journey, as he was both his mechanic and manager. Hamilton's dad has always worked hard to support his racing career, sometimes holding multiple jobs to fund it. Their relationship had its challenges, especially when Hamilton wanted his dad to be more of a father figure rather than just a manager. However, they have grown closer over time and remain supportive of each other.

Q: Who does Lewis Hamilton try to be a positive light for in the racing industry?

Lewis Hamilton tries to be a positive influence for young drivers who are the future of the sport. He recognizes that there is a lack of diversity within the industry and wants to inspire and encourage young drivers from diverse backgrounds, as well as address issues such as representation and gender equality. Hamilton aims to be an ally and mentor to these young drivers.

Q: What changes has Lewis Hamilton initiated within the racing industry?

Lewis Hamilton has been actively working with his team and sponsors to create more diversity and inclusion within the racing industry. He has brought attention to the lack of representation in the sport and the need for more opportunities for people of color and women. His team has started new projects, conducted research, and is working towards implementing a diversity charter that all teams in the industry must follow.

Q: How does Lewis Hamilton handle the emotional rollercoaster of racing?

Lewis Hamilton expresses the challenges of the emotional rollercoaster experienced during racing. He mentions the intense physical and psychological work that goes on behind the scenes and how it can take a toll on one's emotions. The constant scrutiny and pressure can impact how drivers express themselves on and off the track. Hamilton acknowledges the difficulty in maintaining authenticity while also safeguarding oneself from criticism.

Q: How has Lewis Hamilton's perspective shifted from personal success to making a positive impact?

Lewis Hamilton's perspective shifted as he realized that personal success and winning races alone were not fulfilling. He started focusing on the bigger picture, realizing that he could use his platform and success to make a positive impact in the world. He became genuinely passionate about education, racial equality, diversity, and inclusion. Hamilton aims to inspire and uplift others while striving for a brighter future.

Takeaways

Lewis Hamilton's journey is one of resilience, belief, and a deep desire for positive change. He faced adversity and bullying in school, but found solace in racing. Throughout his career, he realized that personal success alone wasn't enough, and he wanted to use his platform to bring about meaningful change. Hamilton actively advocates for diversity, inclusion, and racial equality within the racing industry. His experiences have shaped his purpose, and he aims to inspire others to believe in themselves and work towards a better future.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lewis Hamilton stresses the importance of perseverance and self-belief in achieving dreams, despite facing racial discrimination and bullying from a young age. His father's dedication and hard work significantly influenced his career, teaching him the value of resilience.

• Beyond personal success, Hamilton finds fulfillment in advocating for diversity and inclusion, particularly in motorsports. Through initiatives like Mission 44, he aims to create equal opportunities and inspire future generations.

• Hamilton highlights the transient nature of success and the importance of continuous growth and self-awareness. By embracing vulnerability and selflessness, he strives to drive positive change and empower others to reach their full potential.