Before he was a Bronx Special Victims prosecutor, an IDF combat veteran, or in-house counsel, or a coach to high performers, Jonathan Z. Cohen was a kid who couldn't get through a single page of a book. In this episode, Ariella Cohen Coleman sits down with Jonathan to trace the entire arc - from a childhood "learning disability" label, to the chance encounter that got him into college, to five years of public service, to coaching high performers on adaptability and mental toughness today.
Jonathan shares the story of the friend who was the first person to ever tell him he didn't actually have a learning disability, what he carried home from serving in the IDF and prosecuting Special Victims cases, and why he treats recovery as something active rather than passive. He and Ariella also get into why neither of them drinks, and what it's like to say "I don't drink" without over-explaining yourself.
If you've ever wondered how much of who you are was decided for you early on, and whether it's too late to go back and question it, this conversation is for you.
About the guest:
Jonathan Z. Cohen is an in-house attorney at PNY Technologies, host of Inside The Inspired podcast, former Bronx Special Victims Unit criminal prosecutor, IDF infantry combat veteran, and endurance athlete. He speaks and coaches on mental toughness, adaptability, and performance under pressure.
Resources Mentioned:
- Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-z-cohen-31441695/
- Listen to Jonathan's Podcast: https://www.insidetheinspired.com/
- Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jonathanzcohen
Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman
The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com
Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellalaw.com/
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Connect & Explore:
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Host Info: Ariella Cohen Coleman
The Wellness Esquire: a bold new path where wellbeing, happiness, and authenticity drive performance and success. https://thewellnessesquire.com
Ariella Law, PC: strategic legal support for entrepreneurs, growing companies, and mission-driven organizations — formation, contracts, compliance, and fractional general counsel, delivered project-based or by subscription. https://ariellaw.com/
Follow Ariella:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariellacoleman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariellacohencoleman/
- Website: https://ariellacohencoleman.com/
Connect & Explore:
- Website: https://thewellnessesquire.com
- Substack: https://thewellnessesquire.substack.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessesquire/
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