Fail Forward Mentality by Jacob Brown

What is Fail Forward Mentality about?

Fail Forward Mentality is about transforming failure into fuel for growth and resilience. It’s a practical guide filled with personal stories, actionable strategies, and 100 motivational quotes to help readers reframe setbacks as steppingstones to success. The book empowers you to embrace vulnerability, build resilience, and thrive through life’s toughest moments.

What inspired you to write this book?

I wrote Fail Forward Mentality because I’ve lived it. From my NFL dreams being cut short to personal and financial struggles, I learned that failure wasn’t the end - it was a beginning. I wanted to share these lessons to help others face their own setbacks with courage and turn those moments into opportunities for growth.

Can you give an example of how failure helped you?

In 2012, after a painful divorce, I found myself homeless despite holding a six-figure job. That moment felt like rock bottom, but it taught me resilience, humility, and the power of perseverance. Instead of letting failure define me, I used it to rebuild my life, ultimately co-founding a successful business and stepping into my purpose as a speaker and author.

What advice would you give someone who struggles to take risks because they fear failure?

I’d tell them this: Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s part of the journey. Every successful person you admire has stumbled along the way. Take the risk, learn from the outcome, and know that every setback is a chance to grow stronger. Progress comes from action, not perfection.