Meet Lucy. She slams her laptop shut after another long, frustrating day. Deadlines are missed, clients are unhappy, and she feels like she’s carrying the weight of everyone else’s mistakes. At home, the words spill out: “People just don’t care, and I can’t fix that.”
Later that night, she replays her own frustration. Deep down, she knows she’s fallen into a victim mindset, projecting stress onto her team, resenting their lack of motivation, and feeling powerless to turn things around. She wants to lead with positivity and hope, but wonders, where do I start when I’m overwhelmed myself?
In this episode, Jay is joined by Annie Meehan, international keynote speaker, author of 11 books, and consultant known as the Pineapple Person. Annie has inspired audiences worldwide with her message of resilience, optimism, and choosing to be exceptional. Her Pineapple Principle teaches people to stand tall with confidence, wear a crown to remember their worth, and be sweet on the inside, leading with kindness and authenticity.
Together, Jay and Annie explore how pain can fuel purpose, why excuses keep us stuck, and how small daily choices can transform both our mindset and the culture we create around us. Annie shares her P3 Formula; pain plus passion equals purpose, and practical strategies to eliminate excuses, celebrate wins, and inspire others by example.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in blame, burnout, or self-doubt, this conversation will remind you that you always have the power to choose better and to live exceptionally.
Notable Quotes
“Pain plus passion equals purpose. You always have a choice to become bitter or better.” — Annie Meehan
“Stand tall, wear your crown, and be sweet on the inside — that’s the Pineapple Principle.” — Annie Meehan
“We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always control the story we tell ourselves.” — Jay Abbasi
About Our Guest
Annie Meehan is a professional keynote speaker, author, and consultant who empowers leaders and teams to replace excuses with ownership, build resilience, and create exceptional cultures. Known as the Pineapple Person, Annie has written 11 books, including Be the Exception and The Pineapple Principle. Her life story, from moving 83 times before age 18 to weathering storms both literal and personal, fuels her passion for helping others turn pain into purpose. Annie’s contagious energy, humor, and practical strategies inspire audiences to embrace change and live without excuses.
Resources and Links
Annie Meehan
The Pineapple Principle book – https://www.anniemeehan.com/products-services/#2314 Website – https://www.anniemeehan.com/meet-annie-meehan/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniemeehan/?locale=en_US
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_sfO33tt3VRf6xIwuEKcg
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AnnieMeehanSpeaking
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/
X – https://x.com/annienoexcuses
Jay Abbasi
Website – https://jayabbasi.me/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast
Get Featured on “Unstuck”
Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge.
Join Us Next Time
On Friday, Jay will take a deeper look at the power of assuming positive intent. He’ll share research, practical tools, and real-world examples on how reframing the stories you tell yourself about others can lower resentment, improve leadership, and make you a happier person. If you’re ready to shift your mindset and bring more compassion into your daily life, this episode will give you the roadmap.
Until then, stay intentional, stay kind, and keep choosing to be exceptional.