Meet Jesse Henry | Jesse Henry | Motivation, Lifestyle & Travel Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Henry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I love this question. The thing about risk-taking is—it’s bold. And it’s not for everybody. When you take a risk, there’s always the possibility that there won’t be a reward. But that’s part of what makes it powerful.

I also don’t believe in the idea of being “ready.” Ready isn’t a feeling—it’s a decision. You decide to go for it, even if it’s uncomfortable. And in my opinion, there’s no sense in taking a risk unless you’re truly willing to see it through.

Don’t fear failure. If you go all in, commit fully, and trust yourself, I genuinely believe you can accomplish anything. Life is going to move forward either way—and if you don’t take the risk, someone else might. And they’ll see it through. Every amazing thing I’ve ever done in life involved taking a risk. So you look back and think, getting to where you want to be in life literally starts with a risk, every time.

So if there’s something you really want? Take the risk.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is storytelling — through visuals, motion, and emotion. I create short-form content rooted in motivation, growth, travel, and real life. What sets me apart is the intention behind every video. I’m not just filming moments — I’m crafting a feeling, a message, a spark.

I actually got into this in a really organic way. One day I came across a page that was posting inspirational reels — peaceful music, powerful quotes, calm vibes — and I was instantly hooked. I’d find myself scrolling for way longer than I expected, but it wasn’t mindless. It made me feel something. That’s when I realized: there’s an art to a great 6-second reel. Most motivational videos are long and intense, but if you can capture the right quote, the right vibe, the right hook — it becomes a mini movie. There really is an art to it. You can move someone deeply in just a few seconds. That fascinated me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

From there, I started posting my own content — clips from real life: walking my dog, traveling solo, training, even just taking in the sky. Always paired with a deeper message. I’ve grown my audience organically through consistency, storytelling, and a lot of faith. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m just getting started. As I continue to grow, I continue to add more content to my page. I’m now integrating more fitness content alongside my solo travel journey, documenting how empowering and transformative traveling alone can be. While I continue to share 6-second reels, I’m now expanding my content to include longer formats, offering more in-depth insights and stories.

It’s not easy either. When you have your own life and responsibilities. I’ve posted 3 videos a day for almost a full year now. Even on vacation, I make sure I’ve got drafts saved so that I can simply click share 3 times a day. There’ve been slow days, doubts, burnout, and sacrifices. But I kept going because this is bigger than social media to me — it’s purpose. I’ve learned that your passion will test your patience, but if you stay consistent, the results follow. I still have a long way to go, but I know I am on the right track.

What I want people to know about my story is this: We live in a busy world, with so much going on. It can be overwhelming. If someone can relate, find inspiration, or feel at peace with their emotions when they watch my video — then I’ve accomplished my goal. The world needs more things that make people feel good, understood, and inspired.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 – Arrival & Chill
Pick them up from LAX, drop the bags, and ease into the trip. This is the pre-requisite day — we set the tone without burning out. Travel takes a toll, so first stop is the gym for a light stretch, some cardio, and a quick lift to loosen up. After that, we shower, dress up, and head out for a classy steak and wine dinner. It sets the vibe for the week. Maybe a walk through Venice Beach after — just enough movement to wind down.

Day 2 – Tourist Mode
Hit the classics: an early morning Hollywood Sign hike, Griffith Observatory, and the Walk of Fame. Grab lunch at In-N-Out, then rooftop drinks and sunset at The Beverly Hilton. Soak in the view, feel the LA energy.

Day 3 – WEHO Day
We start the day early with a workout at Equinox, then breakfast at The Butcher’s Daughter. Next up: shopping along Melrose. In the evening, we clean up and head to Laurel Hardware for dinner — can’t go wrong with steak again here.

Day 4 – Day at Santa Monica & Venice Beach
A slow morning — head to Starbucks and have a quick bite. Then off to Santa Monica Pier for some beach views. We stroll the boardwalk all the way to Venice Beach, maybe stop and do pull-ups or play volleyball. Ice bath and workout at Paradiso CrossFit, take a stroll down Abbot Kinney Boulevard, then wrap it up with dinner at Blue Plate Taco. Hopefully the sun’s shining — that makes the day.

Day 5 – Mix of everything
Start with breakfast and coffee at Dialog Cafe. Depending on the vibe, we might do beach sprints or a gym session. Then a peaceful walk through Runyon Canyon or Echo Park Lake. Dinner at Gracias Madre. Perhaps even a comedy show to end the evening?

Day 5 – Art + Culture
Spend the day exploring The Broad, LACMA, or the Getty Center. Grab coffee at Alfred or Blue Bottle, then take them to Little Tokyo or Koreatown for something different. Maybe even karaoke to end the night.

Day 6 – Free Flow Friday
No plans — we let the day take us. Perhaps we head to Rodeo Drive and go from there. Go look for a rooftop pool. Dinner at Bestia or something laid-back like Howlin’ Ray’s if we want heat. End the night by finding some dessert somewhere on UberEats!

Day 7 – Reflections + Goodbyes
Final beach day at Santa Monica, maybe take the long walk from Venice to the pier. Talk about life, catch one last sunset, and grab coffee. Of course we snap a pic together. The whole trip would be a mix of fantastic eating, good vibes and staying active — that balance is everything.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the grace of God. At pivotal moments in my life, His presence has guided me, even when I couldn’t fully see the path. Following the Bible has become more than just spiritual — it’s shaped the way I live. It’s given me a foundation of discipline, purpose, and values that keep me grounded, honest, and humble in everything I do.

Secondly, I am so fortunate to have amazing and loving parents who have backed me every step of the way on my journey to becoming a full-time, successful content creator. They raised me to believe in my dreams and have always supported them with me. They’ve done everything they can to help relieve stress where possible so I can stay focused and keep pushing toward my goals. Their support means the world to me.

I also want to shout out a book that genuinely changed the way I think — The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma. It’s one of my favorite books of all time, and I think every person should read it at least once. It tells the story of a highly successful lawyer who has everything on the outside — money, power, prestige — but is completely lost on the inside. His journey toward fulfillment, simplicity, and spiritual growth really hit home for me. It made me realize that no external success is ever worth losing your inner peace. That book taught me how important it is to align your soul with your goals.

Instagram: @upwithjesse

Youtube: @upwithjesse