Jesse Itzler

Jesse Itzler is an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker known for his unconventional approach to life and business. Born on August 22, 1968, in Roslyn, New York, Itzler's career began in the music industry as a rapper, performing under the name Jesse Jaymes. He later transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-founding Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies, which was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2010. He also partnered with Zico Coconut Water, which was sold to Coca-Cola in 2013. Additionally, Itzler is a part-owner of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team and the founder of The 100 Mile Group, a brand incubator and accelerator .

As an author, Itzler has penned two best-selling books: Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet and Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus. In these works, he shares personal experiences and lessons learned from living with a Navy SEAL and spending time in a monastery, respectively. His writing emphasizes themes of mental toughness, mindfulness, and the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone to achieve personal growth .

Itzler is known for his motivational quotes that inspire action and resilience. One of his notable quotes is, “You have to learn to get comfortable being uncomfortable. You have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone and push your limits.” Another reflects his philosophy on success: “If you want the most reward, you have to take the most risk.” These insights underscore his belief in embracing challenges and taking risks as pathways to personal and professional fulfillment .