March 17, 2021
Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria on the power of positive thoughts, forgiveness, and giving back.
John Paul DeJoria, the co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and The Patrón Spirits Company, is one of the most dynamic, positive forces for good the world has ever known.
“He’s incredible, like nobody we’ve ever talked to before,” exclaimed Lesley Paterson, co-host of the podcast alongside her husband, Dr. Simon Marshall. “One of the things he talked to us about was opening yourself up to the universe, and at the time of the interview both Simon and I were in this big funk, it wasn’t pretty. And then we started reading up on John Paul to get ready for the talk, and it was like a light went on inside us.”
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In this episode of the XTERRA Podcast, powered by Braveheart Coaching, DeJoria shares a wealth of wisdom and tips to live by rooted in his own life experiences.
“What makes JP’s story so inspirational isn’t just his homeless-to-billionaire story, but the environmental and philanthropic work he’s been able to because of his success in business,” said Dr. Marshall. “He’s part of Warren Buffet’s “The Giving Pledge” – an initiative that calls on the wealthiest businessmen and women to give at least half of their net worth away to make the world a better place.”
Through his charitable foundation, JP’s Peace Love & Happiness Foundation, as well as the hundreds of other charities he financially supports – DeJoria focuses on donating to causes that reflect the core values dearest to his heart: saving the environment, helping the poor and protecting animal rights.
The first generation American believes in connecting with the earth and the power of positive thoughts, forgiveness, and giving back.
“Do something for someone else for nothing in return,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be money. It can be your time, energy, or wisdom. It can be as simple as visiting a senior care home and saying hi to someone. Spend 15 minutes, talk, and listen. I promise you’ll never feel as high as when you do something great for somebody else.”
Listen to this episode above or read the full episode transcription here.
ABOUT THE GUEST
John Paul DeJoria
John Paul DeJoria’s inspirational rags-to-riches success story exemplifies the American Dream. He has struggled against the odds not only to achieve success, but to share his success with others.
After high school and service with honors in the U.S. Navy, John Paul did whatever it took to make ends meet—from selling encyclopedias and working as a janitor to pumping gasoline. He was even homeless at one time. Eventually, John Paul took his talents to several hair care and cosmetic companies before becoming an independent consultant. That’s when he teamed up with his friend Paul Mitchell to launch John Paul Mitchell Systems®.
In 1980, with just $700 in their pockets, the two friends created a company for hairdressers, salons and the beauty industry as a whole. Instead of selling to a public corporation, John Paul vowed to keep the company family-owned and privately held, ensuring that Paul Mitchell® products are only sold in the professional beauty industry.
As a businessman, environmentalist and philanthropist, John Paul has donated his time, money and expertise to helping others, always on behalf of hairdressers and the professional beauty industry. John Paul, along with Brad Pitt, Richard Branson and the late Nelson Mandela, was a patron of Mineseeker, a nonprofit organization dedicated to seeking solutions to the worldwide problem of landmines. John Paul was honored with the Sustainability Award at Fashion Group International’s 25th Annual Night of Stars event and was also inducted as a lifetime member into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. In 2010, he founded Grow Appalachia, a non-profit initiative that teaches families in need how to grow, prepare and preserve organic fruits and vegetables in a region with little access to fresh, nutritious food. John Paul was a featured panel member on ABC’s hit television show Shark Tank, where he served as a mentor and potential investor for aspiring entrepreneurs.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Hosted by five-time off-road triathlon world champion Lesley Paterson and her husband Dr. Simon Marshall, the new XTERRA Podcast explores the stories and science behind the quest to Live More. The XTERRA Podcast will feature guests who live, work, and play off the beaten path, share first-person accounts of epic outdoor adventures, and provide valuable tips from industry leaders in the physical and mental health industries.
Find The XTERRA Podcast on major platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and iHeartRadio. You can always look here as well to use our embedded player to listen to every episode.
Learn more about the podcast here: xterraplanet.com/podcast
YOUR HOSTS
Lesley Paterson & Simon Marshall
Lesley Paterson is a five-time world champion triathlete, professional mountain biker, coach, motivational speaker, reluctant fitness model, and foul-mouthed Scotts lassie. Growing up in Scotland, Lesley was the only girl who played rugby on an all-boys team. When boobs appeared she was banned from playing with the boys so she started competing in running and triathlon. Lesley went on to become a national champion in cross country and an international triathlete.
Dr. Simon Marshall grew up in Africa and the UK. He spent his childhood playing rugby, soccer and tennis before finding competitive cycling. He started training and racing at age 12 and hasn't stopped. Simon has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, a master’s degree in Kinesiology, and a PhD in Sport and Exercise psychology. He is a former Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at San Diego State University and Professor of Behavioral Medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
Simon and Lesley own Braveheart Coaching – a San Diego based company that trains endurance athletes to be faster and happier. Together they wrote the best-selling book, The Brave Athlete - Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion (VeloPress, 2017).
