From running, sweating, and celebrating wins with his football teammates, to creating a team of hundreds of people working together to help others thrive, Jamil Frazier ’04 knows that in order to reach a goal, you have to collaborate. He is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, certified health coach, CEO of Think Life is Different, husband, father, and Christian. Despite facing challenges in his youth, Frazier overcame adversity, diligently seeking to discover his purpose to serve others.
Born in Pasadena, Calif., Frazier grew up immersed in sports and attending church. He played football and ran track in high school. Many of the people in his circles had attended APU or had connections to the university, but he was still on the fence about if it was where he was meant to be. Frazier began his studies atMt. San Antonio College. At the time, he cemented his walk with the Lord and ran an athletic ministry at church. Two years after high school, APU was still recruiting him. “My mom was living in Duarte and a small school felt like a good fit. APU offered the scholarships I needed and I was excited to dive more into my faith.”
Frazier’s experience at APU was filled with fruitful opportunities and memories he will cherish forever. “Being on the football team was amazing. I think about it every day. My time at APU was one of the best times of my life,” he said. By learning about diligence and working with a team set on meeting their goals to win, Frazier developed his skills as a leader. “Waking up everyday to meet the same goal, sweating together, battling together, and winning together, was something I’ll always hold onto.”
Inspired by a sociology professor at Mt. SAC who noticed his potential, Frazier majored in sociology. “She saw something in me I couldn’t see in myself,” he said. Frazier continued to hone his academic skills at APU, often influenced by a culture of students who were focused and determined to pursue excellence. “I especially loved my theology classes. It was fascinating to me to dig deep into the historical context of the Bible.” Frazier attributes many of his values today to what he learned at APU about what it means to live a Christian life. Meeting people from different backgrounds and hearing their diverse experiences also played a role in his personal and spiritual growth.
After graduating, Frazier walked through a season of hardship. “Everything was always planned out with football and school. Not having that structure was tough to navigate,” he said. For more than a year Frazier waited tables at Olive Garden while pursuing different interests. From real estate classes to firefighter training, nothing felt like the fit for him. Employers in various enterprises were responding to Frazier’s applications, and while he was hesitant at first, he stepped into a role as a salesperson. Frazier started climbing the corporate ladder, winning awards and eventually earning a position in pharmaceutical sales at Johnson & Johnson.
In 2009, Frazier married the love of his life, Amanda. Months later, when he found out his wife was pregnant, Frazier’s life took a turn. “I didn’t feel ready to be a father. I didn’t know how to handle it all and went into a depression that lasted two years,” he said. One day Frazier was sharing his shame with a friend. “I went from being a fit football player to an overweight sales guy.” Frazier’s friend’s mom was a health coach, and he encouraged Frazier to reach out to her. “Getting my body right helped get my mind right. I was lifted out of a depressive state and began doing better.” Even though he was making good money in his sales career, Frazier did not feel passionate about his work. He decided to step into his health coach’s footsteps and build an organization to help people become their best selves.
As a business consultant, Frazier’s companies have coached more than 300,000 clients, earning around $30 million in revenue. Think Life is Different is a company committed to providing individuals and businesses with the tools to thrive. Working with so many people and building his network led Frazier to earn public speaking opportunities. He is grateful for the strong team he’s built. “One of the lessons I learned at APU through football was that if you want to get a lot done, don’t try to do it by yourself.” Frazier relates team building to the way Jesus called upon his disciples to minister to others.
Frazier never thought that in addition to building wealth as a businessman, he would become a bestselling author as well. “I was journaling a lot when my first company started doing well. My family had never talked about wealth, and I wanted to document my journey for my oldest son, Ezra,” he said. Frazier found a book agent and published The Richest Man in Direct Sales, a letter to Ezra about financial principles for success. His second book, The Twelve Shifts: Your Superpowers for Creating an Invincible Life, explores how to unlock the mind’s potential to create an abundant life.
When asked what he loves about his job, Frazier’s list was endless. “I love being a leader for people, providing jobs, and helping people transform,” he said. Frazier enjoys being his own boss, building his own schedule, and getting to persevere through each challenge he faces, often exercising creative muscles. “Running a business is a lot like playing football.”
Everything Frazier does comes down to his faith in God.
None of us can predict what’s going to happen tomorrow. All we really have is faith. We have to lean on something, and I believe in a brighter future.
Reflecting on his life and career, Frazier is certain that his purpose is to lead others toward their own purpose. “I grew up on welfare, was raised by a single mom, graduated high school with a 2.2 GPA, found my way with two scholarships to an incredible university, and had no idea what I was doing upon graduation,” he said. “Now look where I’m at.” Frazier continues to discover new callings to pursue and learn along the way. “You can do anything you want to, you just have to have a lot of grit and perseverance.” And, of course, the people God places in your life make a tremendous difference, showing that our truest potential starts with a team.