John Legend: Why He Chose an 'Audacious' Name And How It Changed Him

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John Legend didn’t set out to become “Legend.” The name found him long before the world did. In this episode Damian is joined by EGOT winner John Legend to explore how a simple nickname evolved into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Before being a ‘legend’, he was John Stevens, a management consultant working on spreadsheets by day and hustling in studios by night. We explore how a nickname turned into a new identity, and how that identity shaped John’s behaviour, ambition, and artistry. Drawing on research from psychology, from the Proteus Effect to the Batman Effect, we uncover how stepping into a bigger version of ourselves can elevate performance long before results arrive.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why adopting a new identity can raise your standards instantly
• How John used “Legend” as a behavioural challenge, not branding
• The psychology of alter egos
• How identity influences confidence, resilience, and creativity
• Practical ways to choose and step into an identity that helps you perform

This episode is a powerful reminder that names aren’t just labels, they’re scripts. And sometimes the fastest way to grow is to choose a name that demands it.

Listen to the full episode with John Legend: https://pod.fo/e/2dda44

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