When John O’Leary was nine, a fire exploded and left him with burns on 100% of his body. Doctors gave him a 1% chance of surviving, yet he did. And after enduring months in a hospital bed and years of physical therapy, John woke up to what really matters.
For years, he and his family kept that chapter of their lives private. They didn’t discuss the fire, what they had endured or all they had learned. That changed 20 years later when his parents decided to write a book. They called it “Overwhelming Odds” and it told the story of the family’s experience. They printed 100 copies and gave them out to family and friends who supported them during their long journey of healing. As it turned out, their friends and family started telling their friends and family about the little book and its message of hope. Before they knew it, they had to print more copies. And more after that. To this day, “Overwhelming Odds” has sold nearly 100,000 copies.
He began speaking in 2005 to a total of eight organizations. Since then, he partnered with over 850 different groups, in 46 states and nine countries. The tremendous growth is the result of his commitment to his clients and to truly partnering with them to make each meeting, conference and retreat a life-changing experience for their associates.
John O’Leary Lecture Topics
- IN AWE: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder
Innovation: Whether they want to play professional sports, think they can fly, or expect there is a solution to every problem, children are born with a naturally curious spirit that challenges the status quo. John invites us to explore what might happen when we no longer see obstacles as impossibilities. Learn how to reengage our natural curiosity that spurs us to ask questions, push boundaries, and liberates us to innovate with new ways of thinking, solving, leading, and living.
Collaboration: Kids are always looking to expand their world, see potential friends everywhere and aren’t afraid to start conversations with those around them. John invites us to stop Building fences focusing on our differences, and instead show our vulnerability and need for others, which resuscitates the feeling of acceptance, belonging and community. Learn how to reignite an environment at your organization built on shared goals, values and focus.
Empowerment: Despite our best exhortations, kids don’t like to play it safe, but are natural risk-takers and adventurers, dreaming big and boldly going after what they want. John invites to see what’s possible when we set aside the protectionism that keeps us safe. Learn what happens when we begin to own our choices, claim our power, and live again as if anything is possible.
- ON FIRE: Ignite a Radically Inspired Life
Accountability: Accept our wins and our failures so that we can truly celebrate our outcomes. Discover the power of taking ownership of our lives and the impact doing so will have on our most important relationships and on our organization’s bottom-line. Learn how to replace blameshifting and apathy with taking ownership and living bravely.
Power of Mindset: Our perspective colors every interaction we have in our lives. Shifting our perspectives allows us to leverage our personal strengths and reclaim our freedom. Learn how to strive for Progress (not perfection) and learn from defeat.
Overcoming Obstacles: Life has far less to do with what happens to us, and much more to do with how we respond. Learn to recognize that we can’t always choose the path we walk, but we can always choose the manner in which we walk it.
- THE POWER OF ONE
Gratitude: Our attitude when faced with adversity of any kind has a direct impact on our physical health, emotional wellbeing, and our relationships. Learn how to elevate our outlook and that of those around us and gracefully overcome obstacles in a world where negativity is propagated everywhere we look.
Mission: If we don’t know what drives us, we risk giving into the voice of every critic and being slowed by life’s many headwinds. Conversely, by knowing our why, we can always identify our next Right step. Learn how to get clear on what’s important so we can operate at peak Performance and focus our time, talent and energy on the things that matter.
Vision: John shares the one question, that when applied to the way we live our lives, will radically shift the way we show up for others. Learn how a vision for a life anchored in inclusion and service can profoundly change the world, starting with our own.
John O’Leary 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 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.
And 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.
In his talks, John O’Leary uses emotional storytelling and unexpected humor to:
- Remind us of the profound significance of daily attitudes, the power of gratitude, and the impact of serving others with courage.
- Revitalize engagement by reminding us that our work matters to our loved ones, our organizations and our communities.
- Reawaken audiences to realize the gift of today and the possibility of tomorrow
John O’Leary’s story has something for everyone. John partners with each of his clients to tailor his message in a way that complements their industry, accomplishes their goals and supports their audiences.
Amazingly relevant to any industry (as well as professional and personal life), John’s presentations will be carefully tailored to meet the unique needs and concerns of your particular organization. By closely partnering with each client, John ensures that every meeting, conference and retreat is a life-changing experience for their associates.