Heart to Heart with Abagaba
EPS 143: - Don’t Ask Why, Ask Why Not: The Courage to Keep Going with Jay Setchell
What if the question isn’t “Why?” but “Why not?” What if the purpose doesn’t have an expiration date? And what if the setbacks, failures, and unexpected changes in our lives aren’t the end of our story—but invitations to find a new way forward? In this episode of Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba, I’m joined by Jay Setchell, an entrepreneur, former Marine, corporate professional, and lifelong believer in resilience, perseverance, and the power of choosing to keep going. Now in his mid-70s and living with significant physical challenges, Jay remains actively involved in multiple ventures and has no intention of stopping. Raised on a working farm, Jay learned early that worthwhile things rarely come without effort. His life has taken him through military service, entrepreneurship, marriage, children, faith, loss, setbacks, and countless opportunities to choose courage over defeat. At the heart of our conversation is his powerful philosophy: “Don’t ask why. Ask why not.” In this episode, we explore: Where Jay’s “Why not?” mindset came from and how it has shaped his life How our choices and decisions help shape who we become Why our purpose can change as we grow and enter new seasons of life Finding motivation and meaning in our 70s and beyond The courage to keep pursuing dreams despite physical or unexpected challenges What failure can teach us is that success sometimes cannot Building resilience, grit, determination, and perseverance How faith, family, service, and life experiences shape our understanding of what matters Redefining success as our circumstances and priorities change Why helping others can become part of our own journey toward a meaningful life What Jay would say to someone who feels stuck, discouraged, or believes their best days are behind them A Heart-to-Heart Takeaway Sometimes life changes the way we imagined it would. Our circumstances may change. Our bodies may change. Our responsibilities may change. Our dreams may even change. But change doesn’t necessarily mean stop. Jay reminds us that purpose can evolve as we do, and that success isn’t one-size-fits-all. It can be found in the courage to begin again, the resilience to keep moving, the willingness to adapt, and the determination to continue contributing to the lives of others. And when life gives us a reason to ask “Why?”, Jay challenges us to consider another question: “Why not?” A Personal Heart-to-Heart Sometimes, as a host, you begin a conversation thinking you’re going to learn something from your guest—and then their words unexpectedly speak directly to something you’re carrying in your own heart. Jay’s perspective on life, purpose, and never giving up reminded me that dreams are worth continuing to pursue, even when the road ahead looks difficult. I hope this conversation offers you that same encouragement. Perhaps there is a dream you’ve quietly put aside. Perhaps you’ve convinced yourself it’s too late. Perhaps you’re looking at the obstacles instead of the possibilities. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself: Why not? Connect With Jay: https://neverquittrying.com Book: https://a.co/d/0eCVaKrm To learn more about Jay Setchell, , his work, ventures, and the wisdom he continues to share, be sure to connect with him and follow his journey. Thank you for joining me for another Heart-to-Heart with Abagaba. Until next time, remember: your story isn’t over simply because one chapter has ended. There may still be beautiful pages waiting to be written.
