Jesse Lipscombe doesn’t just talk about making moves—he embodies it! See how in this week’s exclusive interview, “Mastering the Hustle With Jesse Lipscombe.”
As an actor, entrepreneur, activist, and now author of The Art of Doing, Jesse has built a life on breaking barriers and chasing possibilities. In this no-nonsense interview, he gets real about his journey, his new book, and how anyone can embrace the “art of doing” to achieve their goals.
This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a playbook for people who want to unlock their potential and create a life filled with purpose and action. If you’re ready to ditch excuses and make meaningful progress, this one’s for you.
Behind the Grind: A Candid Q&A with Jesse Lipscombe
“Jesse, your upcoming book The Art of Doing has such a powerful title. Can you share what inspired you to write it and what you hope readers will take away from it?”
Both the title and the book represent my three-decade journey to discover and name what it is I do. When folks ask what it is I do, I often list a number of things. Early it was professional athlete and actor. Later, I was a producer, activist, speaker, painter, etc. Some would suggest that I should focus on one thing, usually the thing they had the most experience with or connection to.
For myself, I tried to figure out what was this “thing” that I have been embarking on and how could I articulate it to others. When HarperCollins and I began the early discussions of what the book would be about I went down the all too familiar path of listing what I have done. When I was asked how I was able to do all of these things, I responded with, “It is an art – I guess, it is the art of doing.” My hope is that readers see a little bit of themselves in my story and find a new path to achieving their dreams.
Read other features from Jesse Lipscombe on CBC:
Jesse Lipscombe finds hope in online forums
My Family is Fifth-Generation-Canadian and Still Gets Asked ‘Where They’re From’
Living the Art of Doing: Transformations in Action
“You’ve made an incredible impact as a speaker and activist. What’s one of the most memorable moments where you’ve seen the principles of The Art of Doing transform someone’s life or work?”
I speak about Damian Radcliffe in my book as one of the most impactful Art of Doing transformations. He and I met through my activist work but later forged a friendship. Through it I watched him experiment and take courageous steps into areas he hadn’t fostered previously. He was a “military guy,” the whole man’s man, gun carrying, alpha dude. In the span of a year he added some powerful layers to his being. Now, he is a recording artist that plays live shows and writes about love and his faith. All of it was there but the light I see on his face when he is, successfully, living in his creative and emotional space is truly remarkable.
“In today’s world, people are constantly juggling goals, responsibilities, and distractions. What’s one piece of advice from your book to help them stay focused and take meaningful action?”
People have goals and dreams and tend to think about them often. In a lot of cases, they start out strong but shelve them quickly, usually waiting for the right time, the right feeling or some divine intervention that will catapult that seeding into a fully fledged idea. The one piece of advice I would offer is to pick a firm date on a calendar for the project to be completed. Next, work backwards from there and create smaller bite sized tasks that will ensure the deadline is met. Treat each task with the same or greater level of importance you would a meeting with your boss or an appointment for your child. Once you take your goals and dreams as seriously as you do the tasks and instructions from your superiors, will you find success in completing what you set out to do. It’s simple but it’s not easy.
A powerful leader in anti-racism education, Jesse is always on our Most Requested list. His incredible storytelling ability and unique connection to his audiences result in some pretty awesome keynotes.
Check out the story behind Jesse’s #makeitawkward campaign here!
Courage Meets Purpose: How to Lead and Succeed
“You often speak about courage, resilience, and leading with purpose. How do those themes tie into The Art of Doing, and how can professionals apply them to their everyday lives?”
It is easy to “go with the flow,” and keep the status quo. Especially as professionals working their way up in the workplace. However, it takes courage to take it to the next level, a person needs to be resilient when their ideas are not met with a standing ovation. If you are leading with purpose and following your internal drum, you won’t be denied. That internal drum is beating for a reason, it is YOUR reason, and it holds the secret to you living the type of life that will elicit more joy, happiness and a sense of pride. Trusting the process, everyday, will not only inspire those around you but will make each day you live a little fuller.
“Your work spans so many roles—actor, entrepreneur, activist, author. How has your journey shaped the lessons and strategies you share in The Art of Doing?”
The strategies in The Art of Doing came about through a process of reverse engineering my wins and losses. I looked at how and why I was successful in certain endeavors and also why some of those goals didn’t come to fruition. I used my life and others’ lives I’ve interacted with to create a plan for everyone. Early, I wasn’t aware that the steps I was taking were also universal steps others could take to achieve similar heights. It was such a beautiful journey to walk down memory lane and see a young Jesse, flailing away, trying to grab hold of something secure. Only to later realize that so many of the things I was doing were creating the groundwork for future successes.
“I attend SO many PD sessions, workshops and conversations surrounding allyship, advocacy, and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion. Jesse’s way with words and metaphors is by FAR the best I have heard; He makes information and actionable steps accessible and inspiring for literally every damn human that is lucky enough to hear him speak. That is some magic. I am beyond grateful for Jesse and the time spent with us. #JesseForPresident”
– Pam Verhoeff M.Ed, Division Lead Wellness Teacher, Black Gold School Division
Turn Ideas into Action
Jesse Lipscombe is living proof that success doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not about waiting for the “perfect moment” or some magical lightning bolt of inspiration. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and learning from every step—whether it’s a win or a loss.
Watch how Jesse ignites an audience – Check out Jesse Lipscombe’s speaker reel here!
The Art of Doing is a roadmap for anyone ready to get off the sidelines and into the game. If you’re serious about levelling up your life and career, Jesse’s insights are exactly what you need. Stop overthinking, start executing, and remember—action is everything.
Ready to Start Doing?
Whether you’re juggling multiple roles or trying to find your next big step, Jesse’s insights remind us that action, purpose, and courage are the keys to making it happen. Learn more about Jesse Libscombe and the topics he discusses!
Pre-order The Art of Doing today and start transforming your life: Get your copy
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What’s stopping you? It’s time to DO.