We caught up with the brilliant and insightful TJ Sweet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi TJ , thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

When I think about the legacy I want to leave behind, it centers on a simple but powerful idea: making the world a more grateful place. I believe that when we truly see and appreciate each other, we can live more fulfilling lives and, at the same time, create workplaces that inspire high performance. My goal is not only to help individuals live with gratitude but also to inspire leaders to make leadership more human—where employees are seen, valued, and heard, and where gratitude fuels long-term success.

Throughout my journey, whether through keynote speeches, coaching, or my podcast Living the Sweet Life, my focus has been on helping people and leaders reach their full potential with sustained results. I teach that success doesn’t come just from pushing harder; it comes from leading with appreciation and purpose. When leaders truly connect with their teams, when they show gratitude for every contribution, they inspire high performance—not just for a season, but for the long run.

Gratitude isn’t just a mindset—it’s a strategy for high performance. I believe leaders who see and value their employees foster trust, collaboration, and a deep commitment to shared goals. When people feel appreciated, they’re empowered to give their best, not because they have to, but because they get to. That’s the kind of leadership that creates lasting results.

At the end of the day, my legacy is about more than just personal fulfillment or professional success—it’s about helping people live their most meaningful life, grounded in gratitude, optimism, and opportunity. By inspiring both individuals and leaders to live and lead with intention, I hope to leave behind a world where gratitude drives not only personal growth but also organizational excellence. That’s the future I want to create: a world where people and businesses thrive because they keep the most important things—their people and the people they’re the most grateful for—at the heart of everything they do.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is TJ Sweet, and for over 18 years as a people leader, I’ve had the privilege of working with leaders, high achievers, and professionals to help them unlock their full potential. I started my journey in leadership, motivational keynote speaking, and coaching because I’ve always been passionate about helping people not only set and achieve goals but also do so in a way that aligns with their purpose, values, and overall well-being. As a keynote speaker, executive coach, and podcast host of Living the Sweet Life, I aim to inspire people to live with intention, embrace a growth mindset, and lead with gratitude.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach. I help my clients not only achieve high performance but sustain those results through habits rooted in gratitude, purpose, and a clear understanding of their strengths. I guide individuals and leaders to foster environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued. This doesn’t just boost morale; it leads to long-term business success. I combine insights from leadership principles, high-performance strategies, and personal development to create a blueprint for lasting growth—both professionally and personally.

One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing the transformation in the people I work with. Whether it’s helping a business owner turn their team into a collaborative powerhouse or inspiring individuals to live more fulfilling, grateful lives, the impact of this work has been incredibly rewarding. My books, my podcast, and my coaching programs are all designed to help people become the best version of themselves, whether in their personal life, career, or leadership journey.

For anyone who’s thinking about working with me, I want them to know that my mission is to help them achieve their goals without sacrificing the most important things in life. I’ve worked with leaders and teams across many different industries because my message is rooted in human behavior and brain science that applies successfully in every sector of business. I believe that real success comes from aligning performance with purpose and leading in a way that brings out the best in ourselves and those around us. That’s the core of my brand—helping people achieve greatness while staying grounded in what truly matters.

How did you build your audience on social media?

One of the key ways I’ve grown my social media following is by being authentic and intentional with every message I share. From day one, I made a commitment to show up as my true self, focusing on providing real value to my followers. I believe people connect with content that feels genuine, and that’s why I always speak from the heart and focus on the topics that matter most to me—gratitude, leadership, personal growth, and living a fulfilling life.

My approach has always been about giving as much as I can. Whether it’s sharing insights on mindset, strategies for high performance, or offering words of encouragement, I want my followers to walk away feeling inspired and equipped with tools they can use right away. I see social media as a platform to serve others, not just as a space for self-promotion. That mindset of giving first has helped me build trust and meaningful connections with my audience.

Consistency has also played a huge role in my growth. I make it a priority to deliver regular, valuable content that aligns with my message. Whether it’s a quick thought, a podcast episode, or an in-depth post, I’m always showing up to engage with my followers and offer them something that can help them in their journey. That consistent presence has helped me build a loyal community that knows they can count on me to deliver insights and encouragement.

Ultimately, my social media growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about impact. I’ve been able to grow my following by staying true to who I am, giving generously, and showing up consistently, and that’s the same approach I’ll continue to take moving forward. I never had the goal of getting more followers but instead focused on creating leaders in their own lives by sharing messages of empowerment.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

For nearly a decade, I balanced two careers. My full-time role was as a leader in healthcare—a position where I found purpose and fulfillment in helping teams navigate the complexities of healthcare, improve patient care, and create environments where employees felt valued and appreciated. I loved the work, but alongside it, I had a growing passion for speaking and coaching, which began as a side hustle.

For nine years, my speaking and coaching business was something I pursued on the side, fueled by my desire to help people grow, lead, and live more fulfilling lives. I shared insights on gratitude, leadership, and personal development, all while focusing on my career in healthcare. Managing both required intention, discipline, and clear planning.

Then, in 2019, everything changed. I published my first book, Practice Gratitude: Find Joy, which was a game-changer. The response was beyond what I had imagined, and suddenly, my speaking and coaching work began to take off in ways I hadn’t anticipated. That same year, I launched my podcast Living the Sweet Life, where I shared the principles I’ve lived by—focusing on leadership, personal growth, and living with intention. The success of my book and podcast opened doors for me as a speaker, giving me the opportunity to connect with more people and reach larger audiences.

But even with all of that momentum, I wasn’t ready to leave my full-time healthcare career behind just yet. I loved leading teams and making a positive impact on people’s lives through healthcare, so I had to be intentional about how I grew my business. I knew I needed a clear plan and a timeframe for when I would make the leap to full-time speaking and coaching. It required a shift in my mindset—from seeing it as a side project to recognizing it as a legitimate business with the potential to make a lasting impact.

In 2022, I published my second book, Grateful Leadership, which further solidified my message and brand. The book explored the power of leading with gratitude and how leaders could create environments where their teams felt seen, heard, and appreciated. By this time, my speaking career had gained significant traction, and my coaching work was making a real difference in the lives of leaders and high achievers.

Finally, I knew the time had come to fully transition. After years of preparation, growth, and planning, I decided to step away from healthcare leadership and focus solely on my speaking and coaching business. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.

What I’m most proud of is the impact my work has had. Both in healthcare and in my coaching, my mission has always been to help people live more fulfilled lives and lead with gratitude. My journey from healthcare leader to full-time speaker and coach is a testament to the power of intentional growth, belief in your vision, and the courage to pursue your passion.

Today, I continue to help leaders and individuals unlock their potential, live with gratitude, and create environments where everyone can thrive. I’m grateful for every step of the journey that got me here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tjsweet.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjsweet__/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tj.sweet.coaching
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-sweet-02125b7a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetjsweet
• Other: iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-the-sweet-life/id1497678320

Image Credits

Image credit: Bryon Sweno at https://www.swenovisuals.com/