What if the key to joy isn't in holding on—but in letting go? In this week's episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sat down with Jared, @theheadbandgolfer, a passionate golfer and storyteller, to explore how living authentically can be liberating. Jared opens up about his personal evolution, reminding us that “you can’t be the victim of your own life” and that transformation begins with a simple choice: “It’s one day, or day one.”

From shedding false identities to chasing a dream worth risking everything for, Jared shares the bold mindset shift that turned his pain into purpose: “It’s not happening to you—it’s happening for you.” With unshakable authenticity, he invites us to choose real over easy: “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.”

This episode is a powerful invitation to stop surviving and start living—with joy, clarity, and courage.