John O'Leary

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

This epic story of survival was first showcased in "Overwhelming Odds," the book his parents wrote in 2006. It was this book that first invited O’Leary to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world.

Today, O’Leary inspires tens of thousands of people at more than 100 live and virtual events each year. He partners with companies and organizations across fields, such as: sales, healthcare, safety, marketing, finance, faith, education and insurance.

Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” O’Leary's tireless schedule is a testament to the power of his message. His emotional storytelling, unexpected humor and authenticity make each presentation unforgettable.

O’Leary is a two-time bestselling author of "On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life" and "In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy." O’Leary’s award-winning "Live Inspired" Podcast has more than seven million downloads and enjoys world-class guests such as Brené Brown, Mitch Albom, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Bob Costas.

Amazingly, O’Leary's story is taking on a new form: a full-length feature film starring Joel Courtney, John Corbett, and William H. Macy. "SOUL ON FIRE" will be released in theaters nationwide on October 10, 2025.

Regardless of his professional accomplishments, O’Leary considers his greatest success to be his marriage to his wife Beth, their four children and his relationships with friends and family.