When John was a nine-year-old boy, he was burned on 100% of his body. He was in his garage playing with matches and gasoline—just like he had seen the older boys on his block do. A fire exploded, consuming my garage, sending John flying back against the wall and turning his whole world upside down.
He woke up in a hospital bed where doctors had given him a 1% chance to live. Through all the pain, he remembers hearing his mom’s voice and asking her if he would be okay. His mom had the courage not to comfort him with a lie, but to instead ask: “John, do you want to die? It’s your choice, not mine.” John thought for a moment and answered: “Mom, I don’t want to die. I want to live.”
Over the 20 years since that inauspicious beginning, John has spoken to millions of people across 49 states and dozens of countries. In March 2016, John published his first book, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life, which became an instant #1 national bestseller. His second book, In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy, was also an instant #1 national bestseller when published in May 2020. And recently, John shared that his story has recently been turned into a full-length feature film scheduled for theatrical release in Fall 2024.
John is a business owner, writer, husband and father of four. Once expected to die, now he teaches others how to truly live.
Join us for a most remarkable and uplifting story of strength, courage and hope.
- Embrace your story: John shares that his journey was empowering and rewarding, and that it taught him compassion and understanding. He encourages all of us to embrace our own stories and find the possibilities in the present.
- Choose your path: John further believes that people have the power to choose their path and transform their lives. He says that the choices people make add up to the life they live today and tomorrow.
- See pain with perspective: Talked about how living a radically inspired life isn’t about freedom from suffering but seeing pain with perspective. He believes that people can use their faith to transform the worst into the best.
- Focus on the small moments: John encourages all of us to stop thinking solely on the big moments in our lives but to focus on the smaller opportunities that pass us by.
My final three big takeaways:
- Our life is a sacred, awesome gift.
- We get to choose our mindset in every situation, no matter how bleak it seems.
- Together, we can change the world. Starting with our own.
Website:
https://johnolearyinspires.com/
Books:
ON FIRE! The Seven Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy
