The Tim Ferriss Show
#124: Jamie Foxx on Workout Routines, Success Habits, and Untold Hollywood Stories
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Music played a significant role in Jamie Foxx's life, with his grandmother teaching him classical piano and his love for performing live music.
- Jamie Foxx learned the importance of confidence and overcoming fear from his grandmother, who instilled in him the belief that there is nothing on the other side of fear.
- Meeting and working with Ray Charles and Quincy Jones taught Jamie Foxx valuable lessons about music and performance.
- Jamie Foxx's ability to do impersonations and mimicry has played a significant role in his career, helping him connect with audiences and showcase his comedic talents.
- Jamie Foxx identifies the election of Barack Obama as the first black president as one of the most successful moments in America's history, representing progress in bridging racial barriers.
Deep dives
The Influence of Music and Impersonations
The podcast episode explores how music played a significant role in the speaker's life from a young age. His grandmother taught him classical piano and he would perform at various events. He also learned to do impersonations by mimicking comedians he saw on television. In second grade, his teacher allowed him to tell jokes to the class as a reward for good behavior.
Building Confidence and Overcoming Fear
The speaker's grandmother taught him the importance of confidence and overcoming fear. She encouraged him to be bold and not let fear hold him back. She instilled in him the belief that there is nothing on the other side of fear and that people are often nervous for no reason.
Lessons from Meeting Ray Charles and Quincy Jones
The speaker had the opportunity to meet and work with Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Ray Charles taught him the importance of playing the right notes and staying in control during performances. Quincy Jones introduced him to the young Ray Charles through cassette tapes, which helped him prepare for the movie role. The speaker learned valuable lessons about music and performance from these iconic figures.
The Impact of Impersonations in the Speaker's Career
The speaker's ability to do impersonations and mimicry has played a significant role in his career. He talks about doing impersonations of various celebrities, including Richard Pryor, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Cosby. These impersonations have helped him connect with audiences and showcase his comedic talents.
Importance of Evolution and Freedom
One of the most successful moments in America's history that Jamie Foxx identifies with is the election of Barack Obama as the first black president. He sees it as a sign of the evolution of freedom and a step towards bridging gaps and breaking down racial barriers.
Navigating a Non-Diverse Neighborhood
Foxx advises a young couple, one black and one white, who are moving to a non-diverse neighborhood. He suggests living authentically and being themselves, while also taking the opportunity to educate those around them, dispelling stereotypes and engaging in open conversations.
Challenges of Media Influence
Foxx discusses the negative influence of media in shaping public perception, particularly when it comes to misquoting and misrepresenting individuals. He advocates for controlling one's narrative, speaking one's truth, and seeking understanding through direct conversation.
Success and Identifying with Historical Figures
Foxx's definition of success is tied to witnessing Barack Obama becoming president. He also identifies with entertainers like Sammy Davis Jr. for his versatility and Magic Johnson for his competitive yet inclusive nature. On social consciousness, Foxx appreciates Martin Luther King Jr.'s impact on bridging social gaps.
Importance of Cultural Documentaries
Watching documentaries about different cultures and their experiences helps build compassion and broaden perspectives. By exploring the history, struggles, and experiences of diverse groups, such as Jews, Palestinians, African Americans, and women, one can gain a deeper understanding of the human aspect and develop empathy.
The Value of Hustle and Reflection
Two important aspects for personal growth and success are hustle and reflection. Hustle involves putting in hard work, giving your all, and focusing on your goals. It helps alleviate worries and allows you to see progress. Reflection, on the other hand, involves taking time to decompress, relax, and gain perspective. It is essential to pause, reflect, and appreciate the present moment while also planning for the future.
This episode is one of my favorite I've ever done. Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) is an Academy Award-winning actor, a Grammy Award-winning musician, and a famous standup and improv comedian. He is, without a doubt, the most consummate performer and entertainer I have ever met. In the 2.5 hours we spent together in his home studio, he blew my mind. We cover a TON in this wide-ranging episode, including many never-before-heard stories. Here's just a tiny sample of what you'll hear: Jamie's workout routine Jamie's origin story -- how he used $400 to match a $1,000,000 party thrown by Puff Daddy; building up his network with Kanye, Jay Z, and Pharrell; expanding his fan base; and bombing horribly at the beginning. What he learned during the magic of In Living Color Jamie playing live music throughout our interview. Impersonations (and lessons learned from many of the following) -- Quincy Jones, Ed Sheeran, Ray Charles, Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Cosby, Doc Rivers, Kermit the Frog, Sammy Davis, Jr., LeBron James, Bill Clinton, Tamara Rawitt, Shawn Wayans, Jim Carrey, Oprah Winfrey, Norman Lear, Mike Tyson, and others. The key skills Jamie learned from his grandmother. Jamie's parenting style. And much, much more... For all of the show notes and links from this episode, please check out: http://fourhourworkweek.com/podcast This podcast is brought to you by TrunkClub. I hate shopping with a passion. And honestly I'm not good at it, which means I end up looking like I'm colorblind or homeless. Enter TrunkClub, which provides you with your own personal stylist and makes it easier than ever to shop for clothes that look great on your body. Just go to trunkclub.com/tim and answer a few questions, and then you'll be sent a trunk full of awesome clothes. They base this on your sizes, preferences, etc. The trunk is then delivered free of charge both ways, so you only pay for clothes that you keep. If you keep none, it costs you nothing. To get started, check it out at trunkclub.com/tim. This podcast is also brought to you by 99Designs, the worldís largest marketplace of graphic designers. I have used them for years to create some amazing designs. When your business needs a logo, website design, business card, or anything you can imagine, check out 99Designs. I used them to rapid prototype the cover for The 4-Hour Body, and I've also had them help with display advertising and illustrations. If you want a more personalized approach, I recommend their 1-on-1 service, which is non-spec. You get original designs from designers around the world. The best part? You provide your feedback, and then you end up with a product that you're happy with or your money back. Click this link and get a free $99 upgrade. Give it a test run. ### And as always, thanks for listening!
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Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.
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