North Raleigh's Jay Izso

919 | PERSONALITY

By TILDON DUNN, 919 Magazine Writer

919 Magazine Photos by CATHERINE DAVIS Photography

ATTITUDE & EFFORT

Award-Winning North Raleigh Author, Speaker and Business Coach Offers Life, Career Advice

’I have been bit, kicked, thrown, stepped on, crapped on, gored, stabbed, shocked, and have soaped up my arms to deliver a calf in freezing weather. Not much surprises me in life.’

JAY IZSO From Lessons from the Farm: Essential Rules for Success

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May/June 2019

PERSONALITY | 919

‘When we come into alignment with our natural talents – that unique personality – and our passion… we will see our purpose’

JAY IZSO Raleigh Author, Speaker and Business Coach

Jay Izo believes that we all have

control of a limited number of things – and the most important of those is your own attitude and your own effort. “It is not always easy, but if you can always keep in mind that when you control those things – then you stop blaming others for where you are at, and you start finding ways to pursue what you should,” the 27-year Raleigh resident said. “Also, it is important to know your talents.”

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919 | PERSONALITY

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Such an attitude has led Izso to success in several areas.

A known digital media expert, Izso – who holds a Master of Psychology degree from Washington State University – is an award-winning author, a professional inspirational and motivational speaker, a business coach and a broadcast personality who hosts his own regular podcast.

His first book, “Got Social Mediology”, received the gold medal for business books from Indecent Publishers, and a silver medal for psychology books from the Ben Franklin Awards, and it is currently being revised for a new release.

And this year, the Nebraska native has released three new titles: “The Social Media Playbook for Student Athletes”, “The Social Media Playbook for Coaches and Administrators” and “Lessons from the Farm: Essential Rules for Success”.

According to to Izso, “Lessons” is a departure for him. “It is really about the lessons I learned being on the farm that I still apply to my life today,” he said. “I believe those same lessons can be learned by anyone and help them move into a more successful life.”

Izso said he writes off of inspiration. “Something triggers me, and it is like it will not let me go until I write it. It is funny, though, because once it starts – then the inspiration rolls in spurts,” he explained. “It is kind of crazy really. I never know when the next chapter is coming, but when I hear the next chapter in my head, I get up right away and start writing it.”

JAY IZSO

RESIDENCE:

North Raleigh (27 years)

AGE:

55

PROFESSION:

Author, Speaker, Coach, Podcaster

EDUCATION:

MS in Psychology, Washington State

HOMETOWN:

Ithaca, NE

AFFILIATIONS:

National Speakers Association,

American Psychological Association

FAMILY:

Wife, Linda Craft; two children:

Jaycob Izso, Kelly Walker

PETS:

Bandit (dog)

INTERESTS:

College and pro football; NHL hockey;

classic movies, piano, guitar

WEBSITE:

jayizso.com

On his weekly podcast, “A New Direction with Jay Izso”, he interviews authors and experts he considers the best in their field. Available live at 2 p.m. EDT on Thursdays on his personal Facebook page, it can also be heard on every major platform, including iTunes and Spotify – plus iHeartRadio and Alexa.

Izso broadcasts form his home in North Raleigh, in a state he has fully embraced. “I love the diversity of the people, the diversity of the topography of (North Carolina)” he said. “And the plentiful opportunities that are offered.”

Among those opportunities was meeting his wife, real estate broker Linda Craft. “We met at a church dance called ‘Denim and Diamonds’; she was in a sequin gown, I was in a Garth Brooks shirt, blue jeans, belt buckle, deer skin boots and a Resistol hat,” he recalled. “I asked her to dance…the rest is history.”

Among Izso’s passions is being on stage as a public speaker. “When I am on stage, the world disappears – and I am in a zone where I can connect with my audience,” he said. “I try to give them everything I am, with the goal of helping them to become more successful in their personal and professional lives.”

Those are talents that he has utilized at such local events as the annual American Red Cross Ball and the 919 Magazine-sponsored Youth Stage at the annual World of Bluegrass event in Raleigh. He also is traveling to his native Nebraska in May and June for speaking engagements, including delivering the commencement message at Doane University, where he completed his undergraduate studies.

In his spare time, Izso enjoys sports (college and professional football, and NHL Hockey) and playing music when he can (piano and guitar, though he can sometimes be coaxed into the occasional vocals of one of his favorite tunes).

He also frequents the beach, which he considers magical. “I love the beach,” he said. “I can’t explain it, but it is the place that I can never get enough of and depresses me when I have to leave.”

Izso is also an avid non-fiction reader, reading about 40-45 books a year – many in preparation for his weekly podcasts. But among his true joys in life is, as a business coach, helping others find their strengths and discover how to use them. “All individuals have such things (inside) that come natural, but that they may not even realize it as a talent – although, in fact, they are talents,” he said. “We all have a unique personality and unique passions that change and develop over time. When we come into alignment with our natural talents – that unique personality – and our passion… we will see our purpose. And purpose gives our life meaning. And that is what makes a successful life!”

Jay Izso’s books – including ‘Lessons from the Farm: Essential Rules for Success’ – are available at amazon.com and other book-related websites and retailers.

36www.919Magazine.com

May/June 2019

PERSONALITY | 919

‘When I am on stage, the world disappears – and I am in a zone where I can connect with my audience.’

JAY IZSO Raleigh Author, Speaker and Business Coach

May/June 2019 www.919Magazine.com 37