Today we’d like to introduce you to Jai Holla.
Hi Jai, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Absolutely. My journey didn’t start with ambition—it started with survival.
I was born visually impaired, and from an early age, I learned what it meant to stand out before I ever wanted to. I got bullied a lot as a kid, and that led me to become more introverted—keeping to myself, not because I lacked things to say, but because I learned early that being seen could come with pain.
But things started to shift in high school when I found fitness. Not the team sports kind—but the solo, pull-up-bar, reps-in-the-parking-lot kind. I spent the first few years outside doing pull-ups during my lunch period, not because I was trying to prove something to anyone else, but because it became a safe haven. A place I could go to build strength—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. A quiet rebellion. A way to rewrite the narrative I had about myself.
And that theme stuck with me. I realized over time that I was obsessed with the idea of human potential—what else could I do if I stopped believing the limitations I’d been handed?
After college, I worked in customer support and eventually became a manager, but when I got laid off in 2008, it became one of those “this changes everything” moments. I started exploring coaching and consulting—and funny enough, I looked back and saw that all my work up to that point, whether it was personal training, financial planning, or even managing a support team, had a rhythm to it. A heartbeat. And that heartbeat was always about mindset shifting, behavior change, and identity shaping.
That realization is what led me to build my brand Mindset is Mandatory, develop programs like C.R.O.W.N. Mastery, and spend the last several years helping people close the gap between who they are and who they want to become. I’ve lived on the road full-time, coached people from all over, and created a lifestyle and business rooted in clarity, alignment, and forward movement.
Because at the end of the day, I don’t just help people set goals. I help them reshape the way they see themselves—so they can move differently through the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I think that’s what made the journey meaningful.
There’s the obvious stuff—being born visually impaired, navigating bullying, learning to adapt in a world that wasn’t really built with me in mind. But honestly, some of the biggest struggles weren’t external. They were internal.
Self-doubt. Overthinking. Feeling like I had to prove my worth through results or perfection. Even when I got into coaching, there were times I questioned whether people would really “get” what I was offering—because so much of my work is rooted in transformation, not just tactics.
And of course, entrepreneurship isn’t linear. I’ve had seasons where the momentum was strong, and others where I felt stuck, unsure, or like I was yelling into the void. Financial uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and moments of isolation—especially during my nomadic years—have all been part of the journey.
But I’ve learned that struggle isn’t a stop sign—it’s refinement. It reveals what’s aligned and what’s not. It challenges the old identity and calls forward the next version of you. Every obstacle taught me how to trust the process, not rush it. Because sometimes the delay is the alignment. Sometimes you’re not off-track—you’re being prepared for a bigger track.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth—but it’s been worth it. And I wouldn’t trade the lessons for a shortcut.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I help people cut the excuses, stop spinning their wheels, and finally move with clarity and purpose.
I don’t do fluff. I don’t do “feel-good and stuck.” I help people shift how they see themselves—so they can actually become the version they’ve been trying to talk themselves into.
My specialty? Mindset, identity, and momentum. I work with creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are tired of playing small or being stuck in their own head. I help them shift their story, clarify their strategy, and take aligned, immediate action.
I’m known for being direct but grounded. People come to me when they want clarity without the chaos—when they’re ready to stop performing and start becoming. I don’t hype people up—I hand them the mirror, help them rewrite the script, and then we move. Fast.
I’ve walked through it all—being born visually impaired, being underestimated, laid off, dismissed. I know what it’s like to feel unseen. And I know what it takes to build a life that’s fully yours anyway. That’s what I help others do—build from within, and build it real.
What sets me apart? I don’t just coach—I see. I see what people are capable of before they believe it. And I help them move like it’s already true.
Everything I offer is rooted in this belief: mindset isn’t optional—it’s the foundation. And when people shift how they see themselves, they move differently. That’s what I help them do.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are a few ways to connect, collaborate, or work with me—depending on where you are in your journey.
If you’re looking for a quick shift, I offer Strategic Momentum Calls—these are one-on-one sessions where we get laser-focused on what’s keeping you stuck and map out your next aligned move. No fluff, no dragging it out—just real clarity and momentum you can act on now.
I’m currently working on C.R.O.W.N. Mastery, an intimate 90-day experience for a small group of individuals who are ready to do deep identity work, shift their mindset, and take aligned action—side by side with me. It’s designed for those who want real transformation and aren’t afraid to go there. (If that’s calling you, stay close.)
If you’re not ready to dive in just yet, you can still stay tapped in through my Journey KNOtes newsletter. It’s where I share weekly reflections, real stories, and mindset shifts to help you move through the world with more clarity and confidence.
thehollas.com/journey
And if you’re about building aligned community or have a collab idea that hits on mindset, growth, or soul-level transformation—I’m open to it. I love working with people who value depth, direction, and doing things with intention.
You can find me on Instagram @holla.tha.knomad—feel free to slide in the DMs. I’m all about real connection, not just clicks.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holla.tha.knomad
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollaatjai/recent-activity/all/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThaKNOmad
