**This interview was filmed on November 29th, prior to the heartbreaking and tragic events in Bondi over the weekend. Our hearts are with everyone in Australia during this incredibly difficult time.
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Today, Jay travels to Australia to sit down with Chris Hemsworth at the Crystalbrook Byron, not the superhero the world knows, but the grounded, introspective man shaped by his upbringing in the Australian outback. Chris opens up about his early years living in an Indigenous community, the adventures that sparked his imagination, and the strong family roots that still keep him centered. Jay explores how those moments from Chris’s childhood laid the foundation for the man he is today.
Chris opens up about the pressure and anxiety he faced in the early stages of his acting career and how the pursuit of excellence often came at the cost of inner peace. He talks about the constant pull between ambition and being present, the balance of preparation and surrendering to the creative process and the grounding force of lifelong friendships.
In one of the most personal moments of the conversation, Chris talks about learning of his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how it changed his relationship with time, family, and legacy. He reflects on the emotional experience of documenting their journey together, navigating memory loss, caregiving, vulnerability, and the urgency it created to slow down and show up fully for the people who matter most.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Stay Present in a High-Pressure Career
How to Reconnect With Your Childhood Self
How to Build True, Grounding Friendships
How to Be Fully There for Aging Parents
How to Slow Down and Be Intentional With Your Time
How to Balance Ambition With Inner Peace
How to Bring More Curiosity Into Relationships
We forget sometimes that the best parts of life aren’t about achievement or perfection. They’re about being present, staying connected, and having the courage to show up. Every challenge and moment of doubt is a chance to look inward and reconnect with what really matters.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Discovering Gratitude in Childhood
05:10 First Encounters With Fame
08:24 Arriving Somewhere You Never Planned
13:40 Losing Yourself to the Role
15:34 The Weight of High Expectations
20:31 Managing Mental Overload
25:31 Naming Your Stressors
28:56 The Fear of Saying No
31:29 Passing Down Healthy Money Values
34:03 Navigating Your Way Through Grief
38:22 How Family Keeps You Grounded
41:39 What Makes a Real Friend?
44:48 The Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
54:11 Realizing How Precious Time Truly Is
57:41 Witnessing Your Parents Grow Older
01:01:55 Honoring the People Who Raised You
01:06:50 The Rare Feeling of Getting It Right
01:10:18 Messages for Your Younger Self
01:13:57 Staying Connected to Your Childlike Self
01:19:39 Lessons We Learn From Our Children
01:22:30 Being Fully Present With Your Partner
01:28:12 Helping Children Understand Alzheimer’s
01:31:18 Appreciating the Beauty in Life
01:34:24 Knowing When It’s Time to Slow Down
01:38:47 Who Takes Care of the Caregiver?
01:42:30 Chris on Final Five
Episode Resources:
Chris Hemsworth | Instagram
Chris Hemsworth | X
Chris Hemsworth | YouTube
Chris Hemsworth | TikTok
Chris Hemsworth | Facebook
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty 
