Jay Yang: You Can Just Do Things

Jay Yang: You Can Just Do Things

Author: Abel James July 31, 2025 Duration: 55:01
What if success isn’t just about working hard, but about creating your own opportunities?

Today we’re here with teen phenom and author of the new book, You Can Just Do Things, Jay Yang. I met Jay last year through our friend and past guest of the show, Noah Kagan.

At 17, Jay sent Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo, a 19-page pitch deck breaking down gaps in his social media and email marketing—and how to fix them. That landed him a role as Head of Content, where he led social media campaigns, including the one that made Million Dollar Weekend a New York Times bestseller.

In the following months, Jay went ahead and wrote and published and launched a book himself. I love the gumption on this kid. Building six-figure brands before he could legally drink, Jay is all about taking action, and what he has to say is worth a close listen. Your procrastination and excuses don’t stand a chance. 

On this episode with the prodigal young entrepreneur Jay Yang, you’ll discover:
  • How to balance deep work with constant demands of influencer culture
  • Why mastering the art of cold outreach can be a superpower, especially for introverts
  • What skill stacks will be most relevant in an increasingly unpredictable future
  • Why talent doesn’t matter if you don’t have the courage to fight for the opportunity to share it with the world
  • And much more…
In this episode of The Abel James Show, we sit down with Jay Yang, a teenage prodigy and author of "You Can Just Do Things." Jay shares his journey from a high school student reaching out to Noah Kagan to help with marketing, to becoming an integral part of the launch of "Million Dollar Weekend," a New York Times bestseller. Jay's story is one of taking initiative, mastering the art of cold outreach, and understanding the importance of creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. We delve into his experiences with entrepreneurship, his decision to write and self-publish his own book, and his insights on the skills needed for future success.

Jay also discusses the importance of balancing deep work with the demands of influencer culture, and how empathy and intentionality play crucial roles in successful marketing and entrepreneurship. He shares his thoughts on education, the value of college experiences, and how he navigated the decision to drop out after a year. Throughout the conversation, Jay emphasizes the significance of relentless learning, the courage to pursue one's unique path, and the power of building meaningful relationships. Join us as we explore these themes and more with the inspiring Jay Yang.

I also want give a quick thank you to all of you who have reached out with well-wishes.

(In case you missed the last episode, early this summer I was seriously injured in an a high-speed hit-and-run. I’m still recovering from a gnarly concussion, herniated discs, and ligament damage. The other driver fled, but I’m grateful to have a team of Docs and Pros helping me recover. I’m making good progress with physical and balance therapy and I’ll keep you all updated.)

This episode is brought to you by:
Peluva - Go to Peluva.com/WILD to save 15% off your first pair.
Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club - Go to GetFreshAbel.com to get your $39 bottle for just $1 shipping.
iRestore.com - Go to iRestore.com and save on the Illumina Face Mask by using the code WILD.

To stay up to date on our next live events, masterminds, shows and more, sign up for my newsletter at AbelJames.com, and check out my Substack at abeljames.substack.com

For over a decade, the Abel James Show has served as a deep and often surprising conversation space where health, business, and human potential intersect. Rather than offering quick fixes, this podcast delves into the nuanced strategies and personal philosophies of top performers across diverse fields. You’ll hear candid, long-form interviews with hundreds of pioneers, from biochemists like Dr. Casey Means and longevity experts like Dr. Mark Hyman to entrepreneurial minds such as Tim Ferriss and James Clear. The discussions naturally explore the practical connections between metabolic health, cognitive performance, and building a meaningful career or business. Launched back in 2012, the show has evolved from its original, playful focus into a broader exploration of what it means to live well and work smart. Tuning in provides a unique blend of actionable science for your body and innovative thinking for your ventures, all framed through Abel’s engaging and curious perspective. Each episode feels like a chance to sit in on a private masterclass, stripping away the hype to examine what truly works for optimizing a modern life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Abel James Show
Podcast Episodes
Melissa Boloña: Why a Good Broth Can Raise the Dead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:34
When was the last time you had a proper bone broth soup? You know, the slow-cooked kind that gets you all the old fashioned, real food vitamins, minerals and goodness out of big old bones and joints. Well, thankfully, ge…
Dr. Shawn Baker: Surprising Results from Going Full-Blown Carnivore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:21
What's it like to eat nothing but meat for years on end? Well, contrary to what you may hear on mainstream corporate media, animal protein can be one of the most powerful tools to help you reach and maintain a healthy bo…
Mykel Hawke: 8 Pillars of Survival Preparedness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:41
How prepared are you for a grid down scenario? While grim estimates from the government estimate that up to 90% of the population could be wiped out after just one year without power, today's remarkable guest has a much…
Elza Kosmicki: How Small Daily Practices Create Major Transformations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:38
It's easy to keep your cool during meditation, but real life isn't always quite so serene. So what do you do when someone cuts you off in traffic? Simple daily practices like meditation, breathwork, Qigong, and especiall…
Sonia Hunt: How to Turn Food Allergies into A Strength [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:53
Can you imagine if what you chose to eat at every meal were a life-threatening decision? According to researchers, an estimated 32 million Americans have severe food allergies and for many cross-contamination or a mislab…
J. Stewart Dixon: How to Swap Social Media for Good Habits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:38
How can we find peace and happiness amongst the chaos of this world? As social media and increasingly the entire internet embraces the worst kind of censorship, it really does seem like the algorithms are trying to excis…

«1...678910