What if the thing you’re missing right now isn’t motivation — but a village?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Jonathan Conyers,  author of I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here, campaign feature on Humans of New York, and a voice recognised by The Washington Post, to talk about resilience, community, forgiveness, and how to keep going when life stacks the odds against you.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. Jonathan shares how belief carried him through hardship, why every moment is bittersweet, and how finding mentors, in unexpected places, changed the trajectory of his life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why community is non negotiable for growth

• What Jonathan means by everything being bittersweet

• How forgiveness frees you more than anyone else

• How to find mentors even when no one looks like you

• Why confidence starts with understanding your own story

• How using your voice can change your future

• Why taking life one day at a time is sometimes the bravest strategy

Jonathan Conyers is an author speaker and founder working at the intersection of storytelling education and community building. His memoir I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here gained national attention through a viral Humans of New York campaign and has been featured by The Washington Post. He is also the co founder of the Brooklyn Debate League empowering young people to claim their voice and rewrite their futures.

📍 Follow Jonathan on Instagram and LinkedIn

📘 Read I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here

🎧 Listen to the Professional Winner Podcast

This episode is a reminder that you are not behind. You are becoming.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 3 of the Year

02:15 – The three lessons that shaped Jonathan’s life

05:20 – Why community matters more than talent

09:30 – Growing up with belief when the odds are against you

14:30 – Finding mentors in unexpected places

19:00 – The Humans of New York moment and what it changed

24:00 – Becoming a father and finding a reason to keep going

28:05 – Staying focused when life feels unstable

32:00 – Helping young people claim their voice

36:50 – Passion as the through line of every career

40:30 – Advice Jonathan would give his 17 year old self

43:00 – Books that changed his perspective

45:30 – Final message for anyone who feels they are not enough

If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

Your story is not over. It’s still being written.