DiscoverHow To Fail With Elizabeth DayFailure Throwback: Jameela Jamil
Failure Throwback: Jameela Jamil

Failure Throwback: Jameela Jamil

Update: 2025-08-27
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Jameela Jamil is an actor, activist, and founder of the I Weigh movement. From teaching English to starring in The Good Place, Jameela shares the highs, lows, and radical honesty that define her journey. This episode first went out in February 2021.


We talk about:


Her struggle to be a "good" celebrity


Body image battles and self-kindness


Financial missteps and learning to thrive


Calling out media hypocrisy and sparking global change


Packed with truth bombs and bold insight, this episode is for anyone navigating life, self-worth, and the pressure to fit in.




✨ IN THIS EPISODE:


02:35 Challenges and Criticisms


03:35 Embracing Failure and Progress


08:47 Navigating Public Criticism


15:14 The Pressure of Being a Female Celebrity


26:57 Mental Health


30:09 Empathy and Self-Reflection


30:25 Struggles with Body Image


31:21 The Impact of Diet Culture


32:26 Realisations and Recovery


36:55 Navigating Compliments and Criticisms


42:25 Financial Failures and Lessons


47:59 Life in Los Angeles


52:02 Future Plans and Activism




💬 QUOTES TO REMEMBER:


“I failed at being the kind of woman the media wanted me to be—and thank God for that.”


“I spent years trying to be kind to my body. Now I’m trying to be kind to myself.”


“If you’re not being criticised, you’re probably not saying anything worth hearing.”




🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS:


Elizabeth’s upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for her new novel One of Us: ⁠https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day


Elizabeth’s Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/


Join the How To Fail community: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content




📚 WANT MORE?


Phoebe Waller-Bridge – The Fleabag creator opens up about creative failure, imposter syndrome, and the messy beauty of storytelling: https://link.chtbl.com/Xr_yQtIZ


Dolly Alderton – Journalist and author who dives into romantic missteps, self-worth, and the chaos of growing up: https://link.chtbl.com/5pFApeKP




💌 LOVE THIS EPISODE?


Subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts


Leave a 5⭐ review – it helps more people discover these stories






👋 Follow How To Fail & Elizabeth:


Instagram: @elizabday


TikTok: @howtofailpod


Podcast Instagram: @howtofailpod


Website: www.elizabethday.org


Substack: https://theelizabethday.substack.com/




Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com






How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.


Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts


To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com


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Failure Throwback: Jameela Jamil

Failure Throwback: Jameela Jamil

Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment