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Meet

John O’Leary

Subject of the Movie “Soul on Fire”
  • Best-selling author of the book, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
  • Sustained and survived burns on 100% of his body after childhood accident
  • Reminds audience of the significance of daily attitudes, the power of gratitude, and the impact of serving others with courage
Speaker Fee:
$30,000 - $50,000
Virtual Fee:
$15,000 - $20,000
Travels From:
Missouri
John O’Leary
Book John O’Leary
Speaker Fee: $30,000 - $50,000
Virtual Fee: $15,000 - $20,000

John O’Leary Speaker Biography

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and
was burned on 100% of his body. He was given a 1% chance to live.

This epic story of survival was first showcased in his parents’ book, Overwhelming Odds, in 2006. Originally printing 200 copies for
friends and family, his parents have sold 70,000 copies, most in back-of-room sales at John’s speaking events. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world.

John inspires nearly 75,000 people at 100+ events each year. He speaks to companies and organizations across industries, such as sales, healthcare, business, safety, marketing, financial services, faith, education, and insurance.

Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John receives nearly 100% of his engagements from referrals. His schedule is a testament to the power of his message and who he is as an individual. His emotional story-telling, unexpected humor, and authenticity make each of his presentations truly transformational.

John’s first book ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was an instant #1 National Bestseller; 120,000 copies have sold and it has been translated into 12 languages. John’s Live Inspired Podcast is a top 20 for business on iTunes & Inc. Magazine. His online community is 200,000 strong.

John considers his greatest success to be his marriage to his wife Beth, their four children and his relationships with friends and family.

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Featured Videos

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Be the Everyday Hero | John O’Leary | Goalcast
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How Mercy Patient John O’Leary Rose from the Ashes
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John O’Leary’s Keynote: The Power of One
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John O’Leary Story – Live Inspired
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Speech Topics

IN AWE: The #1 bestselling author of “ON FIRE” shows us how to rediscover our childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning, and joy.

There was a time when we once joyfully raised our hand high to answer every question, connected more easily with others around us, believed that anything was possible and fearlessly jumped into new experiences; when we experienced our days, not as something to endure, but as a marvelous gift to absorb and savor; when we danced through our days In Awe of the ordinary moments of the day and eager for the promise of tomorrow.

Unfortunately, many of us experience life very differently today. The pace of change has never been so stunningly rapid, and it will never be this slow again. With engagement within our professional organizations waning and burnout rising, many of us find ourselves caught in a life of dogged responsibility and mind-numbing repetition, we feel disconnected and burned out. Social media reminds us we don’t measure up and mainstream media barrages us with constant negativity. The years of test-taking, relentless striving toward someone else’s goals, and the daily struggle to earn a living, have caused us to lose the sense of wonder that we once awoke with every day.

In his new book, In Awe, John O’Leary invites us to return to the joy of navigating life like a child. He identifies the five senses children innately possess, explains why those senses fade and shares emotional, humorous and inspirational stories of how we can return to them.

Where John’s first book On Fire leveraged his life experiences and challenges as a mirror for readers to better navigate their own, In Awe specifically identifies the most substantial challenges readers face in living more fully. It then calls out the cause of those challenges, while providing practical and inspired solutions to address them.

Strengthened by the past, and empowered for the future, In Awe shows us how to seek fresh insights, reach for new solutions, and live our best lives.

 

The Power Of One: How One Attitude, One Action, & One Person Can Change The World. 

Expected to die, John O’Leary now teaches others how to truly live. John was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, he created a massive explosion in his garage and was burned on 100% of his body. Given less than a 1% chance of survival, John is proof of the power of the human spirit. His unlikely recovery meant a journey of pain and loss that could have easily been insurmountable. However, far from being an example of someone who simply endured tragedy, John is a luminous example of thriving through adversity.

Surprisingly, this “survivor” story isn’t focused on John, rather, it is a celebration of heroes who intimately served him and his family. From a dedicated Hall of Fame sports announcer to a visionary burn nurse (and countless others), every individual involved in this 1987 fire teaches us this truth: one person can make a profound difference in the lives of others.

With emotional storytelling and unexpected humor, John reminds audiences of the significance of daily attitudes, the power of gratitude, and the impact of serving others with courage. He reawakens audiences to realize the gift of today and the possibility of tomorrow.

John is consistently referenced as “the best speaker we’ve ever had”earning five-star reviews and inspiring 50,000+ individuals at 100+ events each year. His book, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, was an instant #1 national best-seller, has sold 100,000+ copies and has been translated into 12 languages.

Objectives:
John illustrates this truth: One attitude, one action, and one person can absolutely change the world.

Employee Engagement: 70% of the workforce is not engaged.* John dramatically “wakes people up” to realize their role and responsibility is significant. *2012 Gallup poll

Culture: John helps organizations build a positive atmosphere to increase creativity and productivity. Audiences learn how to reignite an environment built on shared goals, values and focus.

Communication: John outlines unconventional communication methods to dramatically (and positively) impact relationships.


On Fire: The 7 Choices To Ignite Your Radically Inspired Life. 

We live in a world where “accidental living”mindlessly moving through routines, wasting countless hours on social media, or complaining about what’s wrong in our jobs, families, and societyhas become the norm. But John O’Leary reminds us that just because we got out of bed this morning, does not mean that we are truly living. What would our day, impact and output look like if we lived a radically inspired life, every, single day?

Living radically inspired means you learn from past mistakes, rise above challenges and thrive no matter the circumstances. No one embodies this more than powerhouse inspirational speaker John O’Learywho was nearly killed in a devastating fire at age nine. Today, John inspires 50,000+ people each year around the world.

In his #1 national best-selling book, On Fire, The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, John has identified choices to transform your life and business.

John shares the critical truth that “inflection points”moments in time that change everything that followsoccur daily. John will help you realize it’s your choice of how inflection points affect you. Your life has much less to do with what happens to you, and much more to do with how you react to it. Are you ready to live on fire?

Objectives:
Accountability: Own your wins and your failures to truly celebrate your outcomes. Discover the power of taking ownership of your life and the impact it will have on your bottom-line. Your team will replace blame-shifting with courageous living.

Victor-Mindset: Shift your perspective to leverage your strength and reclaim freedom. First, see how perspective is coloring each of your interactions. Strive for progress (not perfection) and learn from defeat. With a new common mindset, your organization will achieve unbridled success.

Be The Light: How To Follow Your Calling To “Be Light” In The Modern World

It is easy to feel like we are living in a period of darkness, with the current global tensions, political unrest, fragmented communities, and intensifying violence. Be The Light reminds us that light pushes back the darkness, love destroys evil, God still reigns and the best is yet to come. Most importantly, we’re reminded that as Christians, we are called to be the light. In his keynote, John shares eight keys to empowering you to fulfill this calling.

No one understands the importance of having light in a dark world more than powerhouse inspirational speaker John O’Learywho was nearly killed in a devastating fire at age nine. Today, John inspires 50,000+ people each year around the world.

John’s poignant storytelling is a blend of emotion, humor, and authenticity. His faith testimony beautifully illustrates the power of prayer and God’s presence during our times of greatest challenge.

Objectives:
Disciple Engagement: Each year, 2.7 million American church members fall into inactivity.* John “wakes people up” to realize their role and responsibility in “being the light” is significant. *ChurchLeadership.org

Fellowship: John helps organizations build a positive atmosphere to increase dialogue and connection. Audiences learn how to reignite an environment built on prayer, values, and hope.

Communication: John outlines unconventional communication methods to dramatically (and positively) impact relationships.

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John O’Leary is as gutsy a person as I know.

JACK BUCK – HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER

When you shared your story everyone was spellbound. It was terrific and the standing ovation . . . Wow!

ST. LOUIS COUNTY ROTARY

I wanted to thank you again for speaking to us. More than two months after your speech we are still talking about you and how wonderful your speech was.

BESTWAY TAVEL

This was something I will never forget. I thought you were marvelous and inspirational.

MANAGER, KPMG