If It Is to Be, It Is Up to Me: Jay Setchell’s Story

In this powerful episode 23 of The Influence Exchange, I sit down with Jay Setchell, a man whose life story is built on grit, faith, responsibility, and a refusal to quit.

Jay was born and raised on a working farm, served in the Marine Corps, built ventures as an entrepreneur, worked in the corporate world, and carried one core belief through every season of life - never quit.

Now in his mid-70s, mostly paralyzed, having survived multiple near-death experiences and endured 73 surgeries, Jay is still building, still believing, and still moving forward.

This conversation goes far beyond motivation.

We talk about
The mindset behind Jay’s phrase: “Don’t ask why. Ask why not
Why “If it is to be, it is up to me” became one of his guiding belief
What 73 surgeries, severe trauma, and paralysis taught him about pain, time, and perspective
Why attitude, grit, and responsibility matter more than excuses
The lessons from growing up on a farm that still shape his decisions today

His book, The Strength Within You: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit

Jay doesn’t speak from theory, he speaks from lived experience.

If you’ve ever been knocked down, questioned your strength, or needed a reminder to keep moving forward, this episode will stay with you.

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation:

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

Buy Jay Setchell book on Amazon:
The Strength Within You: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit!: Setchell, Jay: 9798892287814: Amazon.com: Books