Nara Smith: ‘The Comments and the Hate Got to Me. I Was Crying Every Single Day.’ The REAL Story Behind Her Viral Persona, Online Criticism & Discovering Her Self-Worth

Have you been pretending to be okay?

Is there something you’ve been keeping inside?

Today, Jay welcomes model, digital creator, and mother of three, Nara Smith, for an intimate conversation that blends vulnerability, wisdom, and humility. Known online for her serene ASMR-style cooking videos and elevated fashion-forward kitchen aesthetic, Nara opens up about the personal journey that shaped her—from her childhood in Germany to signing with IMG Models at just 14. Together, Jay and Nara explore the gap between her curated online image and her lived experience, touching on childhood influences, struggles with body image, and the courage it took to forge a creative career on her own terms. 

Nara candidly opens up about the physical and emotional toll of working in the modeling industry at such a young age, the silent battles with her body through eczema and lupus, and how motherhood reshaped her priorities. She shares how cooking from scratch became a lifeline, first as a necessity to manage her health, then as a passion, and eventually as a business. As she and Jay reflect on marriage, communication, and the complexities of being modern, working mom, Nara’s groundedness and clarity shine through. Nara opens up about her love story with Lucky Blue Smith—their whirlwind but intentional path to marriage—and the beautifully messy reality of raising three kids. It’s a powerful reminder that real joy and purpose come from living true to yourself.

In this interview, you'll learn:

How to Balance Career, Motherhood, and Marriage

How to Heal Through Food and From-Scratch Cooking

How to Set Healthy Boundaries on Social Media

How to Communicate Better in a Relationship

How to Stay Grounded in a Fast-Paced World

How to Know When You’ve Met the Right Partner

How to Handle Online Criticism with Grace

No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re building a career, navigating relationships, chasing a dream, or simply trying to keep up with life’s daily demands, remember this: you don’t have to fit into anyone else’s mold to be worthy.

With Love and Gratitude,

Jay Shetty

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What We Discuss:

00:00Intro

02:16Blending a Love for Fashion and Cooking

04:44The Grandmother Who Shaped Her Life

07:57Starting a Modeling Career at 14

09:15How to Put Confidence Before Comparison

10:02Protecting Kids from the Dangers of the Online World 

11:59How Early Parental Trust Can Fuel Success

12:49Why You Should Never Sacrifice Your Health

14:03Finding Real Love in the Digital World

17:01How Modern Dating Has Evolved

18:55Making Young Marriage Work

21:51The Power of Knowing What You Want

23:45Building a Relationship on Shared Values

26:30Marriage Is Both Collaboration and Compromise

29:45Why Fast-Paced Dating Doesn’t Work

30:54Working Together to Strengthen Your Relationship

33:31Communication Is Key to Connection

35:56Becoming a Parent on Your Own Timeline 

38:29Your Life, Your Choices

42:18Own and Celebrate Your Path

44:05Don’t Let People’s Projections Define You

47:32What You See Online Isn’t the Whole Truth

50:02Facing Online Negativity with Strength

52:05Other’s Opinions Don’t Determine Your Worth

53:25Choosing What to Share and What to Keep Private

56:10How Food and Diet Can Transform Your Health

01:00:29Finding Joy and Creativity in Cooking

01:01:24How Her Online Persona Was Born

01:04:05The Reality Behind the Content

01:06:48Simple Daily Habits That Strengthen a Relationship

01:09:44Tackling the Hard Stuff with Joy

01:13:04Dressing for Confidence and Productivity

01:17:58Living Life on Your Own Terms

01:20:23Nara on Final Five

Episode Resources:

Nara Smith | TikTok

Nara Smith | Instagram

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