"Fame Is a Liar. Success Almost Broke Me.” – Jon Bon Jovi’s Most Honest Interview Yet

Rangan Chatterjee

Nov 12, 2025

Episode description

This episode is brought to you by:
AG1: Get 10 FREE Travel Packs and Welcome Kit worth $80 visit: https://bit.ly/43FwxQl
TIMELINE: Get 25% off your order of Mitopure https://timeline.com/livemore
BON CHARGE: Save 20% off with code LIVEMORE https://boncharge.com/livemore

Have you ever thought about meeting your own heroes and what you would actually say to them if you did? When I was growing up, I used to idolise Jon Bon Jovi. I had a huge flag of him up on my bedroom wall and would listen to every bit of music he released with his band, watch every interview that he gave and read every book I could find about him. I tried to write songs like him, grew my hair like him and even started wearing cowboy boots - just like he did. And, to date, I have seen Bon Jovi in concert on 33 different occasions. So, when the opportunity to talk to him on my podcast came up, you can probably imagine how I felt.

Jon Bon Jovi is the frontman for the Grammy Award-winning band Bon Jovi. They have been together for over 40 years, have sold an incredible 130 million albums and performed in over 50 countries around the world for more than 40 million fans. In 2018, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of their longevity and impact on popular music and outside of his music career, Jon and his wife run the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping those in need “one SOUL at a time.”

Yet, beyond the global fame, the sold-out arenas and extensive charitable work, I discovered a man who’s thoughtful, grounded and genuinely curious about what it means to live well.
During our incredible conversation, we discuss:
• The key ingredients of a happy life: gratitude, friendship, contentment, joy and love.
• What Jon has learned about long-term relationships – in marriage, friendship and with his band.
• How losing his voice and undergoing vocal surgery became a lesson in acceptance, patience and rediscovering gratitude.
• The real cost of success, and why he believes it’s always been worth it.
• Why optimism has always been at the heart of Bon Jovi’s music, and why the world needs it now more than ever.
• What fame can take from you, and how to stay grounded and authentic in the face of it.
• Jon’s reflections on ageing, spirituality and finding peace within himself.
• His advice for anyone who has a dream but feels afraid to take the first step.

Having this incredible opportunity to speak with Jon reminded me why his music has always resonated so deeply with me. Beneath the anthems and achievements lies a simple message – that happiness, optimism and connection are what truly make life meaningful.

Perhaps Jon’s story – and this conversation – will encourage you to think about what brings you joy, who brings you meaning, and how you might share a little more of yourself with the world.

They say never meet your heroes - and I understand why they do. But, hand on heart, I can honestly tell you that there is a little boy inside of me, who’s pretty pleased he got to meet his.

#feelbetterlivemore

Find out about Jon Bon Jovi:
https://www.bonjovi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonbonjovi/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/BonJovi/
https://twitter.com/bonjovi
https://www.youtube.com/user/bonjovi
The JBJ Soul Foundation https://jbjsf.org/
The JBJ Soul Kitchens https://jbjsoulkitchen.org/

Bon Jovi’s new tour:
Forever Tour https://www.bonjovi.com/live.php
Bon Jovi: Forever UK https://amzn.to/49iMx0J

#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
-------

Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
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Follow Dr Chatterjee at:
Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/
Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Episode description

This episode is brought to you by:
AG1: Get 10 FREE Travel Packs and Welcome Kit worth $80 visit: https://bit.ly/43FwxQl
TIMELINE: Get 25% off your order of Mitopure https://timeline.com/livemore
BON CHARGE: Save 20% off with code LIVEMORE https://boncharge.com/livemore

Have you ever thought about meeting your own heroes and what you would actually say to them if you did? When I was growing up, I used to idolise Jon Bon Jovi. I had a huge flag of him up on my bedroom wall and would listen to every bit of music he released with his band, watch every interview that he gave and read every book I could find about him. I tried to write songs like him, grew my hair like him and even started wearing cowboy boots - just like he did. And, to date, I have seen Bon Jovi in concert on 33 different occasions. So, when the opportunity to talk to him on my podcast came up, you can probably imagine how I felt.

Jon Bon Jovi is the frontman for the Grammy Award-winning band Bon Jovi. They have been together for over 40 years, have sold an incredible 130 million albums and performed in over 50 countries around the world for more than 40 million fans. In 2018, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of their longevity and impact on popular music and outside of his music career, Jon and his wife run the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping those in need “one SOUL at a time.”

Yet, beyond the global fame, the sold-out arenas and extensive charitable work, I discovered a man who’s thoughtful, grounded and genuinely curious about what it means to live well.
During our incredible conversation, we discuss:
• The key ingredients of a happy life: gratitude, friendship, contentment, joy and love.
• What Jon has learned about long-term relationships – in marriage, friendship and with his band.
• How losing his voice and undergoing vocal surgery became a lesson in acceptance, patience and rediscovering gratitude.
• The real cost of success, and why he believes it’s always been worth it.
• Why optimism has always been at the heart of Bon Jovi’s music, and why the world needs it now more than ever.
• What fame can take from you, and how to stay grounded and authentic in the face of it.
• Jon’s reflections on ageing, spirituality and finding peace within himself.
• His advice for anyone who has a dream but feels afraid to take the first step.

Having this incredible opportunity to speak with Jon reminded me why his music has always resonated so deeply with me. Beneath the anthems and achievements lies a simple message – that happiness, optimism and connection are what truly make life meaningful.

Perhaps Jon’s story – and this conversation – will encourage you to think about what brings you joy, who brings you meaning, and how you might share a little more of yourself with the world.

They say never meet your heroes - and I understand why they do. But, hand on heart, I can honestly tell you that there is a little boy inside of me, who’s pretty pleased he got to meet his.

#feelbetterlivemore

Find out about Jon Bon Jovi:
https://www.bonjovi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jonbonjovi/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/BonJovi/
https://twitter.com/bonjovi
https://www.youtube.com/user/bonjovi
The JBJ Soul Foundation https://jbjsf.org/
The JBJ Soul Kitchens https://jbjsoulkitchen.org/

Bon Jovi’s new tour:
Forever Tour https://www.bonjovi.com/live.php
Bon Jovi: Forever UK https://amzn.to/49iMx0J

#feelbetterlivemore #feelbetterlivemorepodcast
-------

Order MAKE CHANGE THAT LASTS. US & Canada version https://amzn.to/3RyO3SL, UK version https://amzn.to/3Kt5rUK
-----
Follow Dr Chatterjee at:
Website: https://drchatterjee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drchatterjee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee/
Newsletter: https://drchatterjee.com/subscription

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Grow old gracefully through real-time self-care

Instead of chasing the fountain of youth with "99 vitamins" or "special needles," the focus should be on growing old gracefully by taking care of yourself in real-time.

Embrace excellence over perfection in recovery process

A key learning from his vocal recovery has been to embrace excellence over perfection, letting go of the need for flawless performance and accepting the process.

Pursue soul-fulfilling work over external gratification

True motivation should be soul-fulfilling work that moves you, not chasing external gratification, cash, or the biggest trends like making TikTok videos.

Focus on progress for authentic personal growth

True personal growth is about evolution and progress, not fundamental change, which allows you to build on who you are rather than trying to be someone else.

Beware fame's lies to protect your true self

Fame is a dangerous force that will ruin you if you believe its lies and will take things from you that you never wanted to lose.

Reclaim creativity and self-esteem by managing smartphone use

The smartphone, a supercomputer in your pocket that was a blessing, has become a curse that causes loneliness and gets in the way of self-esteem and creativity.

Prioritize sleep and hydration for successful tour recovery

The keys to surviving a tour are prioritizing sleep and hydration, and no longer doing back-to-back shows to avoid the immense physical toll.

Prioritize pliability and stretching for physical maintenance

For physical maintenance, the focus has shifted from getting bones cracked with daily chiropractic adjustments to prioritizing pliability and stretching.

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© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius