On Fire – an Interview with John O’Leary
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When he was just nine years old, John O’Leary was burned on 100% of his body in a house fire. Even though he was given no chance of survival after the accident, John went on to become a world-renowned motivational speaker who today inspires millions with his extraordinary story of courage and hope. Here are some of the top takeaways from John’s incredible interview with Brian:
Own Your Story
After the devastating fire when he was a young boy, John battled through months in hospital and years of therapy and surgeries. Afterwards, he was determined to move on with his life and never look back. He just wanted to pretend that he was ordinary – his goal was to be ‘normal.’ It was only when his parents wrote a book about his story that, for the first time, John looked at his reflection in the mirror and realized that all the pain and the suffering he had endured had been a gift. That was when his life changed forever.
Find Your Voice
John’s global speaking career began with a keynote speech to a tiny group of third-grade Girl Scouts. At the time, he was terrified of public speaking. He had never told anyone what had happened to him, but he dug deep, found the courage to take that first step and everything changed. Since that day, he has spoken to over 1 million people all over the world, helping folks everywhere to overcome their personal struggles and obstacles, one action at a time.
Change the World
John spent decades hiding from his own story, but now he travels the globe inspiring others to harness the power in theirs. He believes that we need to wake up from accidental living and embrace three simple truths:
- Life is a sacred and awesome gift.
- No matter how bleak the situation, we can choose our mindset.
- Together we can change the world, starting with our own.
As a young child, John O’Leary defied death. Because of this experience, he received the gift of a unique perspective that allows him to truly live. To learn more about John’s inspiring story, listen to the latest episode of “It’s a Good Life”.
