We recently had the chance to connect with Akai Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Akai , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now feels like I’m living in five lanes at once, but all moving toward the same destination. I wake up early, grounding myself in prayer or a quick workout, and sending my family a message to let them know they are loved before I even start the grind. From there, the day can flip in a lot of directions—coaching teens through confidence and executive functioning, consulting with entrepreneurs on their brand and business strategies, or helping families shift their mindset on money and life insurance.
By afternoon, I might be in the gym, building myself and building programs for student-athletes, or creating content—filming, editing, writing, keeping the vision alive. Evenings are when the speaker in me takes over: prepping talks for high school teams, or filming my “championship mindset” series. At night I reflect, balancing the wins and the weight of carrying so many visions at once, while music brings me back to center. The car accident back in January reminded me life is short, so every day now is purpose-driven. My life is a mix of coaching, creating, hustling, healing, and loving—and somehow it all fits into 24 hours.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Akai J. Jackson and I am a personal and professional development consultant whose brand curates mindset shifts in physical, mental, and financial health. I’m a published author, a professional speaker, and have been voted America’s Favorite Mindfulness Coach.
Our purpose and goal is to help anyone we service to become the best version of themselves and remove all self limiting barriers that prevent them from doing so.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I believe my entire family saw me clearly before I saw myself. The very first person however was my father, Jennings Jackson. I will never forget where I came from, the people who have been a part of my entire journey, as I understand success is not the end result, it’s who you become in the process.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
That’s a powerful question. What suffering has taught me that success never could is perspective. Success feels good, but it can also make you think you’re in control, that you’ve figured it all out. Suffering strips that away. It humbles you. It forces you to slow down, to look at yourself in the mirror, and to confront what really matters.
For me, suffering taught me patience and resilience in a way winning never did. It gave me compassion for people who are fighting battles you can’t see. It deepened my faith—because in those moments, when the accolades and the applause are gone, you realize you need something bigger than yourself.
Success can teach you how to celebrate. Suffering teaches you how to endure. And the truth is, you need both to be whole.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what matters to me most, they’d probably all say the same thing: people. Whether it’s my family, my clients, or the teams or organizations I speak to, I’m intentional about making sure others feel seen, valued, and challenged to grow. Legacy and impact matter deeply to me—I want my life to stand for something bigger than myself. At the same time, my faith and integrity keep me grounded, and my drive for growth pushes me to raise the bar in everything I do. So at the core, what matters to me most is pouring into people in a way that leaves them better than I found them.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
What I know I would regret most is not fully using the gifts I’ve been given. I’d regret not stepping into every opportunity to impact people, not pouring into the next generation, and not leaving the kind of legacy my family can be proud of. I’ve learned that comfort is the enemy of growth, so if I ever played it safe instead of chasing my calling, that’s what would haunt me. At the end of the day, I don’t want to look back and see missed chances—I want to look back and know I gave everything I had.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ixl.today
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ixltoday
