Jake Olson
- Blind Golf Champion & Entrepreneur
Jake Olson Speaker Biography
Jake Olson has captivated audiences worldwide with his incredible story of overcoming retinoblastoma and blindness at the age of 12. Jake is best known as the first completely blind player in college football history. His memorable long snap for the University of Southern California (USC) against Western Michigan on September 2, 2017, gained viral national attention, highlighted by major networks such as ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, Fox Sports, Hallmark, TBN, The Golf Channel, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post.
While Jake is proud of his USC Trojan roots, his journey extends far beyond a fleeting moment of fame. After graduating from USC in 2019, Jake became a full-time motivational speaker, sharing his inspiring story at hundreds of events for esteemed clients including AIG, Ball Corporation, Bank of America, JLL, Google, Invesco, Microsoft, Mondelez, Nationwide, and SpaceX. Through his speaking experience he founded Engage, a cutting-edge talent booking platform that connects companies with keynote speakers and athletes for events. Jake is also a competitive golfer, despite his blindness, and has won multiple blind golf tournaments, earning the title of the world’s best completely blind golfer. He is a published author and a philanthropist, having authored two books and founded a non-profit foundation. Even with these remarkable achievements, Jake’s proudest accomplishment is his family—he and his wife, Audrey, welcomed their first child in January 2025.
Jake is highly sought after as a speaker due to his unique blend of humor and powerful insights. Audiences laugh an average of 18 times during his 50-minute talks (yes, he and his team actually measure this), while being inspired to reframe their response to adversity and outlook on challenges, develop a more positive mindset, and break through self-imposed limitations to achieve their full potential in both personal and professional spheres.
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FINDING THE SETUP IN THE SETBACK
What if your greatest setback held the key to your greatest breakthrough? Jake’s signature keynote takes audiences on an unforgettable journey through his extraordinary life: battling cancer eight times, losing his sight at age 12, making history in college football, and rising to become the world’s best blind golfer. Infused with personal stories—like heartwarming encounters with sports heroes—along with humor and powerful philosophies, Jake empowers audiences to completely transform their relationship with adversity. He reveals how what seems like a setback can actually be the setup for life’s greatest breakthroughs when approached with resilience and faith.
This transformative talk will have your audience laughing out loud, reflecting deeply, and feeling profoundly moved. They’ll walk away with actionable steps to face adversity head-on and emerge stronger, more focused, and more resilient. Whether it’s a corporate team, student group, or community gathering, this talk resonates with anyone seeking inspiration and growth. Perfect for event planners seeking a speaker to inspire grit, drive productivity, and elevate accountability.
The Power Of Possibility: Unlocking Success Through Teamwork & Creativity
Blindness reshaped Jake Olson’s life at age twelve, but his determination to succeed remained unshaken. In this talk, Jake reveals how his will to achieve inspired those around him to innovate and adapt, creating extraordinary possibilities. From a math teacher devising methods to teach Jake calculus, to teammates crafting a unique system for him to play football, to his father guiding him to excel in golf, Jake’s journey highlights the transformative power of teamwork, creativity, and inclusion.
Ideal for leaders, managers, and teams seeking to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and embrace diverse perspectives, this talk delivers actionable strategies to inspire resilience and adaptability. Attendees will leave energized and equipped to recognize potential, overcome obstacles, and unlock the power of possibility within their own teams.
