Author Interview: Jerome “Jay” Isip: I Failed Most Of My Classes On Purpose

A native of Belleville, NJ, and Filipino by birth, Jay Isip was a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter for 12 years, teaches a barbering class and operates a men's salon, owns a fitness facility, investment relations firm, and is an app developer. The last goal he achieved as a measure of success was to write a book, 10 Stacks To Success, which was released in November 2014. For more information and to view the book trailer visit the author's website: www.10StacksToSuccess.com

Welcome Jay!

Your real name and pen name?

Jerome “Jay” Isip

Please share some of the best memories of your childhood

I was kind of mischievous because of my older brother, and I caught on to things at a young age for being around older kids. Most of my childhood memories are the times that gave me a “Thrill” and make me laugh until this day. There are 100 Million stories but let me keep it simple---I use to love stealing from the candy store with all my friends and selling them in the playground for 100% profit at 9 years old. I loved hopping on the back of the ice cream truck and see how far we could ride until the driver notices. It was always exciting to run home as fast as I could on report card day so I could manually change my grades before my parents got home. I enjoyed walking home from school and pulling all the fire alarms on the way home. It was fun to see other kids get nervous and run, haha! I’ll be here all day so I’ll cut it short…

About your education?

I never did home-work; I failed most of my classes on purpose, that way I was placed in easier classes so things were smoother, I joked around and drew most of the time. By the time high school came around I was placed in “special” classes so it was easier for me to keep my grades up and stay eligible to Wrestle. I stayed back in High School---finally caught up. Went to college for a day and dropped out during my placement test. School wasn’t my thing---as you’ve noticed. I learned more from experiences, sports, trial and error, self-due diligence, doing drugs and drinking alcohol---they have taught me great life lessons that no school system would ever be able to. In school, I’ve learned how to lie, cheat, and steal---how’s that for an education. I am not against school but, it is not for everyone.

What career did you plan during your education days?

I planned to open up my own business one day---and I did. So I am grateful for schooling because it showed me what I DID not want to do in life. Don’t get me wrong because school was fucking fun; friends, girls, sports, cool teachers---just not the system. So I boycotted—personally.

What languages you can speak and write?

English and Profanity.

What is your biggest source of inspiration in life?

What is my biggest source of inspiration---life itself! The sole purpose of our existence is to live our life, be the person we are meant to be, and enjoy each moment we experience. The experience of life keeps me inspired each and every-day I wake up. I make sure my days on this planet are filled with the things I enjoy, love to do, and put me in a mental state of euphoria. Just to know I can wake up to breath fresh oxygen, function at my own desire, and do whatever the f#$k I decide to do---is inspiration.

What hurts you most in this world?

The world hurts me the most but, I can deal with the pain and adjust to a better place.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it?

Biggest challenge I have faced is that person in the mirror. Every-day is a challenge when we step into the walks of life we have spread on the pavement. We have obstacles in our every-day lives, as long as we are growing---not content. It’s easy to live life at a median, monotony, and clockwork. The real challenge is stepping into the unknown to try and figure it out, into the dark to search for light, to face fear when you are scared, trying to overcome. Defeating yourself is the Big Challenge---you are your own worst enemy. I am my biggest challenge and the fight is never over as long as you are still alive…

If you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality, who would it be and why?

I would live everyday as myself---why? That would be running away from who you truly are…

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing?

I want to leave something behind in this world….

I have found myself in various situations where I have created my own personal success. I have never worked for anybody else for more than a few months without stepping out on my own. I always knew I wanted to be a business man and that is exactly what I always strived to do. I have successfully built my own businesses including a hair salon, gym, app development business, an investor relations business, still found time to be a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter for 12 years. I believe I am the definition of self-made through action I have created in my own mind. I believe I am a prime example of failing several times before achieving my personal success. I have faced many obstacles throughout my journey including repeating senior year in highschool, previously failed businesses, found myself in financial debt, alcoholism, and losing many professional fights including to some of the greatest fighters known today. Through these hard situations, I have physically and mentally rewired my brain to react differently in life to make things positive and find the ways to make things go my way. In conclusion, while I may not have attended college and received a degree to this "topic", I truly believe all my life situations and experiences provide me with knowledge and creditability to speak about it.

I wrote this book because it was a huge goal of mine prior to any success I have had before. Now that I have attained all the goals I had set for myself in the past, I would like to share with everyone on how/what has helped me. So I wrote a book with the steps that guided me to where I am now and want people who were/are just like me to know that there is MUCH more out there to experience and would wish for everyone to live in pure happiness. I would love to inspire others and entertain them at the same time with the book I wrote. It has simple and in your face methods, I believe it will help anyone who is "lost" within themselves.

I want people to realize and understand that there is more to them than they think there is. Everyone has the potential to be someone great but they are being held back by either family, friends, job, living environment etc. Today, too many people are scared to take risks to better themselves because they are afraid of the unknown and are searching for "it". They believe it is a new job, new life, new environment, or a new materialistic item that they think they are seeking but I believe the "it" that they are searching for is themselves.

Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?

I a new author and only have only published 1 book “10 Stacks To Success” Amazon Link(s):
http://www.amazon.com/10-Stacks-Success-Achieve-Goal-ebook/dp/B00OX9V6BG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1415497365

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/10-stacks-to-success-mr-jerome-jay-isip/1120688365?ean=9781502960269

Searching for a NEW way to get motivated? As the title implies, "10 Stacks To Success" is this generation’s guide to discovering that there are no limits. Unleashing the power of your own creativity can be a challenge. But there is nothing more rewarding than opening up all of the potential you that you have had inside of you the whole time. More confidence, more understanding, and more freedom than ever, are yours for the taking. This book can be the starting point for the lifestyle of your dreams, no fine print, no asterisk, no B.S.

What are your forthcoming writings?

I don’t even know what “forthcoming” means, lol…

What are your future plans?

I plan (currently) on writing another book as I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I will keep competing in professional MMA, grow my business(s), and travel, travel, travel…

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

1.    Clear Mind

2.    Eat Healthy

3.    Exercise

4.    Experience

Is high level of imagination important to have for an Author?

Absolutely, if you want to have great book. Imagination in everything—at least in my opinion.

Your dream destination on Earth?

The North Pole to visit ol’ Saint Nick!

Your origin of birth and other countries you have visited/ stayed.

Born and raised in America…

Your favorite time of the day? I don’t have a favorite time. 

I enjoy all times of the day..

Your zodiac/ sunsign?

I’m a Taurus, don’t really care for Zodiac’s….

Your favorite color and why?

Black and Gold, no reason they change about every 7 years…

What is the last book you finished reading? What is the current book you are reading?

10 Stacks to Success and 10 Stacks to Success, haha!

Your favorite book and why?

I don’t have a favorite book, I enjoy many books, and each book has its stand outs and personal influence

Your favorite movie and why?

I don’t have a favorite movie, I enjoy many movies, and each book has its stand outs and personal influence… If I had to choose I would say ALL Adam Sandler movies…he’s a genius…

Your favorite celebrity and why?

Adam Sandler, he pretty much changed my life since a majority of my jokes and friends jokes revolve from his movie quotes.

Your favorite food?

Chicken, Rice, and Hot Sauce!

What comes to your mind when you think of India?

Curry… and my two best friends Bobby & Nero.

Some quickies: Sun or Moon, Laughter or Smile, Morning or Evening, Coffee or Tea, Mountain or Sea, Long Drive or Short Drive, Silence or Conversation, Water or Fire, Air or Earth, Mars or Jupiter, Tulip or Rose, Red or Blue, Left or Right, Glance or Stare.

I can’t choose because different times of my day/life I would pick one over the other and vice versa. It really depends on the situation, circumstances, and scenario---they all mean the same thing.

State your signature line/ tagline/ best quote

Success is not merely a goal, it’s a Lifestyle…

The last line of your autobiography would be…

It’s the way I live life, and would love to share my experiences in order to help someone who is/was just like me…

Links:

Twitter handle: @jayisip1

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/10stackstosuccess?ref=hl

Goodreads author page:  https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/36418649-jerome-jay-isip

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/10-Stacks-Success-Achieve-Goal-ebook/dp/B00OX9V6BG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=