Stay ConnectedExpected to die, today he’s inspiring others to truly live.
World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O’Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
In June of 2021, I flew to Los Angeles and interviewed a Hollywood director. No sound was recorded, no video was captured, no notes were taken. But what he shared, the way he shared it, and what happened because of it positively changed my life. Let me explain.
Director Sean McNamara is the force behind such films as Spare Parts, The Miracle Season, Soul Surfer, and the recently released Reagan. His creative prowess, directorial skills, and even more so, his humble nature, have gained him a reputation in the industry as "an actor's director."
Six and a half years ago, Sean read the script for a film called ON FIRE, fell in love with it and has been steadfast in bringing it to life.
Today, Sean shares insight from the filming of ON FIRE the film. But more importantly, he shares what it was like growing up in a large Irish family, how his parents challenged him to do mighty things, his journey from starting as a Production Assistant delivering scripts to directing box-office hits, and so much more.
My friends, you'll leave this conversation- with my friend Sean McNamara- full of joy, hope and excitement for what's to come not just for On Fire the film, but for your lives.
A wonderful perk of my business is getting to share the stage with some of the most remarkable, eloquent, and impactful speakers alive. To grow in this career, I've studied many of the greatest orators ever born. And yet, the greatest speech I ever witnessed wasn't on some big stage, delivered by someone famous, wearing some fancy suit. No, it was a far more modest setting, delivered by a far less trained speaker, representing a far more powerful message. Let me explain.
Kristen Faulkner is the American cyclist that shocked the world when she won a gold medal in the women's road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics — an event she wasn't even supposed to compete in. In a field of veteran riders, Kristen became the first American woman in 40 years to earn Team USA a gold medal in that sport.
Today, Kristen shares how she carries the lessons she learned while growing up in Homer, Alaska, how she celebrated what made her different than her classmates after she moved to a boarding school on the East Coast, and what moments led her to leave her career as a venture capitalist to pursue a career in professional cycling. Plus, Kristen shares her 2024 Paris Olympics experience and how she carefully analyzed the course, her competitors, and her ability to confidently race across the finish line.
My friends, if you need a reminder that with passion, dedication and focus, you can accomplish monumental things, this conversation is for you.
With the opening ceremony of the Olympics occurring on July 26th and the Paralympics concluding September 8th, we've been treated to more than a month of remarkable stories and incredible competitions. While our family may have missed some of the events, there was one my daughter Grace insisted we watch: Gymnastics.
And as remarkable as their athletic ability clearly was, it was a question Grace shared at the end that moved me most. Let me explain.
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of nine books including Soundtracks and his latest How Teens Win, a speaker known for his unique blend of humor, honesty and hope, and a self-proclaimed "professional encourager."
Today, Jon joins us to share how his father's curiosity still inspires him today, how to overcome limiting beliefs and how to set (and achieve!) goals that create meaning in your life.
My friends, if you're seeking tactical, practical and surprisingly fun ideas to help you reach your greatest potential, this conversation is for you.
Jason Watson was born with a knack for connecting easily with others, influencing those around him, and exhibiting a resourceful mentality.
The youngest of 10 siblings to an addicted mother and a deceased father, Jason grew up in an impoverished neighborhood. Nearly all his neighbors shared the tragic bonds of being completely broke and of having incarcerated family members. As a young boy, Jason remembers not having Christmas presents under the tree yet not feeling bad about it because neither did most of his friends.
But what Jason remembers most poignantly from childhood wasn't a lack of material possession, it was a profound lack of hope. Let me explain.
Rich Diviney is a leadership and human performance expert, and retired Navy SEAL commander. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Rich was intimately involved in an extremely specialized SEAL selection process, which pared down a group of exceptional candidates to a small cadre of the most elite optimal performers.
Today, Rich shares how in working with and selecting top special operators for decades, there are hidden drivers of performance beyond the obvious skills. These attributes, including adaptability, courage and perseverance, shape how we perform as individuals and as part of a team.
My friends, if you want to learn how to develop these key attributes and perform optimally, at any time, in any situation, this conversation is for you.
"The scars exist because the wounds have healed." -Henri Nouwen
At the conclusion of filming On Fire the film, my bride Beth meticulously collected and arranged more than 100 photos from the months scouting locations, walking onto sets, predawn staff meetings and late evening crew wraps.
She included photos capturing the emotions of shooting specific scenes: the fear on the day of the fire, the struggle of learning to walk in the hospital, the joy of coming home after five months, the elation of a first kiss and the agony of a final goodbye.
Paging through this photo album recently with my niece, Lottie, brought back all the memories of filming On Fire. It was, however, a picture I had spent little time contemplating that my niece most wanted to talk about. Why it caught her attention, and more importantly what she said about it, might elevate how you view things today. Let me explain.
As a college freshman, Marcus Engel was nearly killed, and was left instantly, totally and permanently blind after being struck by a drunk driver. Through years of rehab, over 350 hours of reconstructive facial surgery and adaptation through a multitude of life changes, Marcus witnessed the good, the bad and the profound in patient care.
Today, Marcus shares his journey of reclaiming his life to find light in the darkest of places, the power of being present during another human's suffering and his internal struggle of accepting his new reality to find happiness again.
My friends, Marcus' life is a testament to the enduring human spirit's ability to rise from the ashes, helping us all to see that with support, presence, and a positive outlook, we can overcome the darkest of times. If you need a reminder that difficult things aren't something you get over but something you get through, this conversation is for you.
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