DJ John Summit Opens Up About His Social Anxiety and How He Handles It

JOHN SUMMIT HAS the world in the palm of his hand. From selling out his first Madison Square Garden concert in two hours to headlining Coachella and the recent release of his highly anticipated debut album, Comfort in Chaos, the star’s rapid rise to fame has been a ride that has yet to stop.

Summit took time out of his hectic schedule to chat with Dr. Gregory Scott Brown over Instagram Live for our Friday Sessions series. Live from his couch in Miami, the DJ talked about all things career, mental health, and how he keeps it together.

At only 30 years old, Summit has already had multiple careers. Summit started working as an accountant in Chicago: “I had to make money and pay rent and did accounting against my will” he reveals. He then went on to pursue DJ-ing full-time after being let go from his CPA job.

When asked for some advice to his younger self while he was going through the challenges of starting off, he said: “You gotta do what it takes to make ends meet. I mean, every job is gonna suck when you start at it. I mean, DJ-ing at the start was very tough. I wasn’t making any money, you know… but if you’re passionate, just keep going. But you have to find your passion in life first and then pursue it. It took me a while. It took me a while.”

A typical day is never the same for the artist, with hit songs like “Shiver,” “Go Back,” and “Where You Are,” he finds himself traveling the world bringing together people and all the vibes. Typically he is playing a party till four a.m. and then waking up to catch a flight to the next venue by seven a.m. Summit jokes, “It’s definitely not too good on the body.” With a nonstop schedule, Summit can thank his endurance for why he keeps it together.

“The way I keep things together, I don’t know. I guess I am kind of like an endurance athlete… I guess you just have to be built differently.”

Despite his endurance, Summit still can end up in a negative headspace, specifically when it comes to social anxiety. The DJ is not shy about opening up about his experience with social anxiety, and behind his chill cool guy, party-centric persona he gives to the public, “I have the worst social anxiety of all time,” Summit says.

“That’s why I DJ, so I can be behind the decks and stuff.” In some way the DJ booth is his protection shielding himself from vulnerability and the intrusiveness being in the public eye often carries.

Summit then goes on to say that in order to face his anxiety, “you just have to force yourself into the world.” With his recent headlining at MSG (followed by a performance at the Brooklyn Navy Yard till 5 a.m.), the DJ said that, “I did MSG to show and force myself that I could.” Summit says he does that by going out and surrounding himself with different people, cultures, and parties. He not only proves to himself that he can face his internal fears, but he also stays inspired, promoting more creativity for his next project.

When it comes to upcoming projects, Summit insists that there is a lot to come. With the announcement of his own record label Experts Only back in September, Summit has the opportunity to curate up-and-coming talent in the house, electronic, and techno scenes. This latest endeavor will help the artist have more opportunities for collaboration, as he says sometimes doing shows on his own can have drawbacks.

“When I just do my own shows, it feels very egocentric. That’s not fun. Who am I high-fiving after? It’s not fun. I want this shit to feel like a team sport,” he says.

The sky’s the limit for Summit, and although he arguably has already made his way to the top, it is evident through Friday Sessions that the DJ is just getting started.

Listen to Summit’s new album Comfort in Chaos below:

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