285: Plot Twist with Jonathan Fields
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285: Plot Twist with Jonathan Fields
Episode 285 Show Notes
On the outside, Jonathan Fields had it all. He was a successful New York City lawyer pulling in six figures, wearing tailored suits, and working on billion-dollar deals. But on the inside, he was quietly falling apart. Working 100-hour weeks and living on caffeine and takeout had taken a toll, and a sudden health crisis forced him to reckon with a hard truth: the life he’d worked so hard to build was slowly destroying him.
That wake-up call didn’t just spark a career change—it sparked a full-on reinvention. Jonathan didn’t just switch jobs; he left law altogether to become a $12-an-hour personal trainer. Everyone thought he was out of his mind. But that decision opened the door to something far bigger: a journey into entrepreneurship, wellness, and ultimately, his life’s work.
In this Plot Twist episode, Jonathan shares the raw truth behind his pivot from law to wellness to founding the Good Life Project. He opens up about ego, identity loss, starting over in your thirties, and why success often comes disguised as failure. You’ll hear how his Sparketype framework was seeded in the rubble of 9/11 and how teaching yoga reconnected him to a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt since childhood.
If you’ve ever felt like you were climbing the wrong ladder, or wondered what it might be like to trade prestige for peace, this episode is for you. It’s a story about trusting your gut, letting go of expectations, and building a life that actually feels good on the inside—even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
Key Points From This Episode:
From Law to the Floor of a Gym: Jonathan walked away from a prestigious legal career to earn $12 an hour as a fitness trainer.
When the Body Says No: A sudden health scare forced Jonathan to confront the hidden costs of overworking and ignoring his well-being.
The Ego Hit of Starting Over: Leaving law for a low-paying job was humbling—and exactly what he needed.
Support That Mattered: Jonathan’s wife and parents stood by him, even when they didn’t fully understand his decision.
Pushback from the Inside: His law firm peers mocked him, but senior partners quietly cheered him on.
Learning from the Ground Up: Jonathan chose to work on the gym floor rather than jump into management so he could understand real human needs.
Healing After 9/11: Signing a lease the day before the attacks led him to create a yoga studio that became a sanctuary during NYC’s darkest days.
Building Community Through Breath and Movement: His yoga studio became a place of collective healing and connection.
Uncovering a New Framework: The seeds of the Sparketype system were planted during his post-9/11 search for meaning in work.
Redefining Work: Jonathan shares how “work” isn’t just about money—it’s any meaningful effort we pour ourselves into.
The Power of Presence: Teaching yoga helped him rediscover flow, presence, and the joy of creation.
Purpose Is Found in the Doing: His story reminds us that fulfillment often shows up when we’re willing to start from scratch and follow what feels alive.
Quotes:
"I literally had the job that so many of us had worked so hard to get. And I walked away to go lead people up mountains and play in the park.” – Jonathan Fields
"My ego took a little while to be okay with it—but I needed to learn from the ground up." – Jonathan Fields
"We have no promises. We just get one pass through. I want to make the best use of my time." – Jonathan Fields
"The yoga studio reminded me of who I was and what was possible." – Jonathan Fields
"The work I do now was seeded in the question—how do we spend our time in a way that makes us feel alive?" – Jonathan Fields
"Just because something looks good on paper doesn’t mean it feels good in your body." – Jonathan Fields
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Follow Jonathan on social media: @jonathanfields
Listen to Jonathan’s full episode here: https://www.lightwatkins.com/show/jonathan-fields