Podcast Summary: The School of Greatness
Episode: Yara Shahidi Opens Up: How To Prioritize Mental Health & Overcome Self-Doubt To Achieve Any Dream
Host: Lewis Howes
Release Date: November 27, 2024

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The School of Greatness, Lewis Howes welcomes acclaimed actress and Harvard graduate Yara Shahidi. Known for her roles in popular TV shows like Blackish and Grownish, Yara shares her personal journey of balancing a demanding career with academic excellence, prioritizing mental health, and overcoming self-doubt to achieve her dreams.

Yara Shahidi's Mental Health Journey

Yara begins by dispelling the common misconception that she is perpetually upbeat, revealing that beneath her smile lies anxiety and overwhelm. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and prioritizing her own needs amidst her busy schedule.

“I think the anxiety and overwhelm are overshadowing the excitement of what's next... I put my own needs behind everything else, even when it's not being asked of me.”
— Yara Shahidi [00:00]

Yara discusses her realization of the temporary nature of emotions and how this understanding has helped her navigate through challenging times with greater resilience.

“For the first time I'm like, oh, I took seriously the idea of having tools to manage stress and challenges.”
— Yara Shahidi [05:41]

Balancing Acting and Education

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Yara's extraordinary ability to juggle a successful acting career while graduating from Harvard University. She recounts the pressures of managing 18-hour workdays, especially during the launch of Grown-ish, and how she and her family restructured her commitments to maintain mental well-being.

“By the time we took those meetings, I was very clear about, hey, I plan on going to school in the next year, year and a half.”
— Yara Shahidi [23:26]

Yara highlights the support system provided by her family and management, which allowed her to pursue higher education without compromising her career.

Building Relationships and Production Company

Yara underscores the importance of building genuine relationships over mere networking. This philosophy extends to her new production company, where she collaborates closely with her mother and a dedicated team to create meaningful content.

“The priority in this world is building relationships with the people around you. It's not building networks, it's not building contacts, it's building relationships.”
— Yara Shahidi [00:54]

Her production endeavors, including the upcoming podcast The Optimist Project, are born out of these authentic relationships and a shared vision for fostering positivity and growth.

Overcoming Self-Doubt and Fear of Failure

Addressing self-doubt, Yara shares her struggles with perfectionism and the fear of rejection inherent in the creative industry. She candidly talks about her experiences on The Great American Baking Show and how facing unfamiliar challenges helped her build emotional resilience.

“Creativity presents self doubt for me because it's so informal in how I even self assess.”
— Yara Shahidi [25:51]

Yara emphasizes the role of community and support in overcoming setbacks, advocating for leaning into feelings of disappointment rather than shying away from them.

Defining Greatness and Service

Yara offers a profound definition of greatness, equating it to authenticity. She believes that true greatness lies in being irreplicable and fully embracing one's unique self.

“I think my definition of greatness, it could be a synonym for authenticity. When I look at people that I consider great, it's because I think they have tapped into themselves in a way where they feel irreplicable.”
— Yara Shahidi [91:08]

She also delves into the concept of service, inspired by her parents' commitment to giving back. Yara illustrates how building "relationship equity" through genuine interactions fosters both personal and professional growth.

“The priority in this world is building relationships with the people around you. It's not building networks, it's not building contacts, it's building relationships.”
— Yara Shahidi [80:55]

Launching "The Optimist Project" Podcast

Yara introduces her new podcast, The Optimist Project, co-hosted with her mother. The podcast aims to democratize insightful conversations that typically occur in exclusive circles, making them accessible to a broader audience. Through this platform, Yara and her mother interview various leaders and change-makers to inspire listeners to pursue their own paths of greatness.

“It's hosting and interviewing. And I think it's some of what we teased and talked about throughout this conversation of. It started from the conversations that her and I would have...”
— Yara Shahidi [84:15]

Navigating Public Perception and Maintaining Authenticity

Yara discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity in the public eye. She shares strategies for managing others' opinions and the pressure to appear a certain way, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and staying true to oneself.

“My journey is not doing all of this extra work to seem chill because I think they think that I'm this way.”
— Yara Shahidi [38:27]

Through introspection and therapy, Yara has learned to prioritize her own feelings over external expectations, allowing her to engage more genuinely in both personal and professional settings.

Conclusion

Yara Shahidi's conversation with Lewis Howes offers invaluable insights into balancing a high-profile career with personal growth and mental health. Her emphasis on authentic relationships, continuous self-improvement, and serving others provides a blueprint for achieving greatness without compromising one's well-being. As she embarks on her new podcast venture, Yara continues to inspire listeners to pursue their dreams with resilience and authenticity.

Notable Quotes

1. “The priority in this world is building relationships with the people around you. It's not building networks, it's not building contacts, it's building relationships.”
   — Yara Shahidi [00:54]

2. “I think my definition of greatness, it could be a synonym for authenticity. When I look at people that I consider great, it's because I think they have tapped into themselves in a way where they feel irreplicable.”
   — Yara Shahidi [91:08]

3. “The priority in this world is building relationships with the people around you. It's not building networks, it's not building contacts, it's building relationships.”
   — Yara Shahidi [80:55]

4. “For the first time I'm like, oh, I took seriously the idea of having tools to manage stress and challenges.”
   — Yara Shahidi [05:41]

Final Thoughts

Yara Shahidi exemplifies how embracing personal challenges, prioritizing mental health, and cultivating authentic relationships can lead to sustained success and fulfillment. Her journey serves as an inspiration for anyone striving to achieve their dreams while maintaining their inner peace and integrity.