You have the power to change your story. 

Have you ever felt like your life story was not your own?

There's always the pressure to become someone who you aren't. Maybe you're comparing yourself to the people you see on social media. This is so easy to do. We often just post the best of ourselves on the internet, and then the illusion is that everyone is living these perfect lives.

But we know that isn't true. You can't compare your real life to a filtered version of someone else's.

Sometimes the pressure comes from within, and other times, it comes directly from the mouths of other people. It's easy to let the outside world dictate who you are supposed to be. People love to tell people what to do and who to become.

But you have your own voice in this world. People can try to shout over it, but it's up to you to make a stand for who you are.

On this episode of The School of Greatness, I had the pleasure of talking with JoJo, a pop-icon, who shares about battling comparison, asserting her voice, and writing her own story in the midst of extreme pressure.

JoJo is a pop and R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She released her first album, JoJo, in June 2004, and the album's first single, "Leave (Get Out)," was No.1 on the US Billboard Pop Chart. She was only 13 years old - the youngest solo artist in history to ever top the billboard charts. She’s also starred in movies like Aquamarine and RV (with Robin Williams) and in TV shows like Hawaii 5-0 and Lethal Weapon. 

In 2006, she released her second studio album, The High Road, which was also a great success, but her third album, Mad Love, was delayed due to record label disputes. She realized she didn't have power over her own voice, and this was non-negotiable. 

In 2008, JoJo founded her own record label, Clover Music, and re-released her previous albums. Her fourth studio album, good to know, will drop in spring 2020, and in April she will kick off an international tour.

JoJo was offered her first record deal at six years old. From a young age, she has felt immense pressure from music industry to become who they want her to be, but JoJo made a stand for herself.

Join me on Episode 919 with JoJo to learn how she owned her story and how you can too.

• Where do you think your life would be if you’d had social media early on in your career? (1:20)
• Did you dream of being a superstar when you were a kid? (7:40)
• When did fear come into your life as a creative? (9:15)
• How did you learn to create your own self-worth? (19:45)
• What challenges do you face being in an intimate relationship? (25:39)
• What were the most powerful moments you’ve experienced on stage? (34:57)
• What are some lyrics that define the decades of your life? (47:05)

• What it was like when JoJo didn’t own her own music (3:15)
• The lessons JoJo learned from her early success and from then til now (16:05)
• How to learn how to be happy by yourself (32:10)
• The value of facing your fears regularly (39:40)
• How to make yourself proud (44:40)
• Plus much more...

If you enjoyed this episode, show notes and more at http://www.lewishowes.com/919 and follow at instagram.com/lewishowes

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