Today, Jay sits down with Malala Yousafzai to uncover the woman behind the global symbol of courage and education. From the very start, Jay sets the tone with an intention rooted in empathy, to help people not just know Malala, but understand her. Together, they revisit her extraordinary journey, from growing up in Pakistan’s Swat Valley under Taliban rule to surviving an assassination attempt at fifteen. Malala shares what it was like to wake up in a hospital far from home, and how she slowly began to realize that the world had already decided who she was before she could decide for herself.
As the conversation unfolds, Malala opens up about the emotional aftermath of her survival, the years spent trying to live up to the image of bravery the world created for her while quietly struggling with fear, trauma, and loneliness. She reflects on how therapy helped her begin to process the pain she had long suppressed, and how rediscovering humor, friendship, and love became essential parts of her healing. Malala also talks about her marriage, her insecurities after the attack, and the importance of learning to love herself before fully believing that someone else could. Her honesty reveals a side rarely seen, that even those who inspire millions still wrestle with doubt and self-acceptance.
Malala and Jay explore what courage truly means, not as a public act of heroism, but as a quiet, daily choice to keep going. She reflects on her mission to ensure education for every girl, the ongoing fight for women’s rights in Afghanistan, and how real change begins with local voices and global solidarity. Through her words, Malala reminds us that strength and softness can coexist, that healing is never linear, and that every person has the power to turn pain into purpose.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Stay Brave When You’re Afraid
How to Heal From Trauma With Time and Therapy
How to Find Yourself Beyond What the World Expects
How to Rebuild Confidence After Losing It
How to Create Change Through Education
How to Love Yourself After Feeling Unworthy
How to Redefine Courage in Everyday Life
How to Keep Hope Alive in Dark Times
How to Be the Voice for Those Who Can’t Speak
No matter what you’ve been through, your story isn’t over, it’s still being written every single day. Healing doesn’t happen all at once, and courage isn’t about never breaking down; it’s about finding the strength to rise again, even when you feel unsure.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
10:03 The Life Others Tried to Define for You
12:38 Winning the Nobel Peace Prize at 15
16:20 School as a Sanctuary for Children
21:00 When Education Becomes a Privilege
24:42 The Power of Having Someone Stand Up for You
25:45 Why Women Deserve Equal Opportunities to Thrive
27:52 Living Through the Violence of the Taliban
32:33 What Sparked the Activist Within
34:00 Choosing Courage Over Silence
37:25 Surviving the Taliban Attack
45:20 Fighting for Every Girl’s Right to Learn
48:45 When Trauma Returns Years Later
52:49 The Weight of Being a Symbol of Hope
55:45 Healing from Grief One Step at a Time
58:42 The Life-Changing Power of Therapy
01:03:36 Finding Real Friendship and Belonging
01:05:49 Becoming the Unexpected Relationship Guru
01:09:39 Learning to Love and Be Loved
01:20:50 Investing in the Future of Girls’ Education
01:23:39 Changing the Narrative for Equality
01:27:10 Empowering the Next Generation of Women
01:29:10 Thirteen Years After the Attack
01:31:50 The Heart of True Activism
01:34:30 Building Schools That Transform Lives
01:39:41 Malala on Final Five
01:49:45 Child Marriages Should Stop
Episode Resources:
Malala Yousafzai | Website
Malala Yousafzai | Instagram
Malala Yousafzai | Facebook
Malala Yousafzai | TikTok
Malala Yousafzai | YouTube
Malala Yousafzai | X
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty 