Julia Fox EXCLUSIVE: ‘I Still Hear a Voice That Says I’m Nothing’ (The Real Story Behind Surviving Addiction, Life as a Sex Worker, and How Motherhood Saved Her)

Do you ever struggle with your self-worth?

What helps you get through your darkest days?

Today, in the first-ever live episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty— not in a studio, but live on stage in front of thousands. To kick things off, Jay sits down with actress, author, and cultural disruptor Julia Fox for a raw, unfiltered conversation about pain, transformation, and purpose.

What begins as an unlikely pairing unfolds into something profoundly human. Julia takes us deep into her story, one marked by emotional neglect, addiction, survival, and self-erasure, but with that also comes incredible grit, self-awareness, and resilience. Julia speaks about living with the trauma of not feeling worthy, and the long, complex journey of unlearning that narrative. 

Together, they explore what it means to numb emotions through substance or toxic relationships, the role of compartmentalization as a survival mechanism, and the beauty of reclaiming identity through motherhood, celibacy, and sobriety. Julia shares how prayer, manifestation, and divine timing helped shift her path and how writing her memoir became the therapy she needed. Through tears, laughter, and confessions, this episode reminds us that healing doesn’t always look linear. Sometimes it looks like chaos, courage, and the difficult choice to keep going.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Break the Cycle of Feeling Unworthy

How to Set Boundaries That Protect Your Peace

How to Reclaim Control After Addiction

How to Be Okay With Being Seen

How to Heal Without Needing Closure

How to Build a Life Without Numbing Yourself

How to Accept What You Can’t Change

Your truth is not too much. Your past does not define your future. And you are worthy, always. 

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

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What We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

02:01 Owning Your Main Character Energy

03:15 Finding Beauty in Everyday Moments

04:29 The Art of People Watching

05:04 How Childhood Trauma Shapes Self-Worth

08:15 Growing Up in Emotional Isolation

09:42 Coping by Shutting Down

14:21 Entering a World of Survival & Power

18:21 The Power of Setting Boundaries

19:36 How Prayer Became a Path to Change

23:13 Escaping Her Darkest Moments

25:30 A Friendship That Changed Everything

26:34 How Motherhood Became Her Lifeline

28:31 The Freedom of Living Your Truth

31:12 Why Parental Support Matters

33:30 Navigating a Difficult Parental Relationship

34:50 Accepting What You Can’t Control

35:59 The Lasting Impact of Emotionally Unavailable Parents

36:53 Surviving Near-Death Experiences

38:38 Finding the Will to Live

39:31 What the Adult Industry Taught Her About Power

40:56 The Pressure to Prove Yourself

42:00 Letting Go of People’s Opinions

44:22 The Fear of Being Truly Seen

45:37 Reflecting on Past, Present, and Future

57:10 Processing a Traumatic Miscarriage

58:37 Finding Purpose in Helping Others

01:01:26 Julia on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Julia Fox | TikTok

Julia Fox | Instagram

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.