<p>Have you been pretending to be okay?</p> <p>Is there something you’ve been keeping inside?</p> <p>Today, Jay welcomes model, digital creator, and mother of three, Nara Smith, for an intimate conversation that blends vulnerability, wisdom, and humility. Known online for her serene ASMR-style cooking videos and elevated fashion-forward kitchen aesthetic, Nara opens up about the personal journey that shaped her—from her childhood in Germany to signing with IMG Models at just 14. Together, Jay and Nara explore the gap between her curated online image and her lived experience, touching on childhood influences, struggles with body image, and the courage it took to forge a creative career on her own terms. </p> <p>Nara candidly opens up about the physical and emotional toll of working in the modeling industry at such a young age, the silent battles with her body through eczema and lupus, and how motherhood reshaped her priorities. She shares how cooking from scratch became a lifeline, first as a necessity to manage her health, then as a passion, and eventually as a business. As she and Jay reflect on marriage, communication, and the complexities of being modern, working mom, Nara’s groundedness and clarity shine through. Nara opens up about her love story with Lucky Blue Smith—their whirlwind but intentional path to marriage—and the beautifully messy reality of raising three kids. It’s a powerful reminder that real joy and purpose come from living true to yourself.</p> <p>In this interview, you'll learn:</p> <p>How to Balance Career, Motherhood, and Marriage</p> <p>How to Heal Through Food and From-Scratch Cooking</p> <p>How to Set Healthy Boundaries on Social Media</p> <p>How to Communicate Better in a Relationship</p> <p>How to Stay Grounded in a Fast-Paced World</p> <p>How to Know When You’ve Met the Right Partner</p> <p>How to Handle Online Criticism with Grace</p> <p>No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re building a career, navigating relationships, chasing a dream, or simply trying to keep up with life’s daily demands, remember this: you don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to be worthy.</p> <p>With Love and Gratitude,</p> <p>Jay Shetty</p> <p><strong><em>Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe </em></strong><a href="https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe"><strong><em>here</em></strong></a><strong><em>. </em></strong></p> <p><strong>What We Discuss:</strong></p> <p>00:00 Intro</p> <p>02:16 Blending a Love for Fashion and Cooking</p> <p>04:44 The Grandmother Who Shaped Her Life</p> <p>07:57 Starting a Modeling Career at 14</p> <p>09:15 How to Put Confidence Before Comparison</p> <p>10:02 Protecting Kids from the Dangers of the Online World </p> <p>11:59 How Early Parental Trust Can Fuel Success</p> <p>12:49 Why You Should Never Sacrifice Your Health</p> <p>14:03 Finding Real Love in the Digital World</p> <p>17:01 How Modern Dating Has Evolved</p> <p>18:55 Making Young Marriage Work</p> <p>21:51 The Power of Knowing What You Want</p> <p>23:45 Building a Relationship on Shared Values</p> <p>26:30 Marriage Is Both Collaboration and Compromise</p> <p>29:45 Why Fast-Paced Dating Doesn’t Work</p> <p>30:54 Working Together to Strengthen Your Relationship</p> <p>33:31 Communication Is Key to Connection</p> <p>35:56 Becoming a Parent on Your Own Timeline </p> <p>38:29 Your Life, Your Choices</p> <p>42:18 Own and Celebrate Your Path</p> <p>44:05 Don’t Let People’s Projections Define You</p> <p>47:32 What You See Online Isn’t the Whole Truth</p> <p>50:02 Facing Online Negativity with Strength</p> <p>52:05 Other’s Opinions Don’t Determine Your Worth</p> <p>53:25 Choosing What to Share and What to Keep Private</p> <p>56:10 How Food and Diet Can Transform Your Health</p> <p>01:00:29 Finding Joy and Creativity in Cooking</p> <p>01:01:24 How Her Online Persona Was Born</p> <p>01:04:05 The Reality Behind the Content</p> <p>01:06:48 Simple Daily Habits That Strengthen a Relationship</p> <p>01:09:44 Tackling the Hard Stuff with Joy</p> <p>01:13:04 Dressing for Confidence and Productivity</p> <p>01:17:58 Living Life on Your Own Terms</p> <p>01:20:23 Nara on Final Five  </p> <p><strong>Episode Resources:</strong></p> <p>Nara Smith | <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@naraazizasmith">TikTok</a></p> <p>Nara Smith | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/naraaziza">Instagram</a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>