Live Inspired Podcast With John O'leary

Today is a special episode of the Live Inspired podcast in light of September being Suicide Prevention Month 2017. Dennis Gillan joins us to share his story on a topic that affects us all: Mental health. He's committed his life to reducing the number of completed suicides and removing the stigma around mental health after losing his own two brothers to suicide. Today's episode will help us break down the stigma around mental health and better care for ourselves, those we love and those who are in the wake of suicide already. Don’t miss this powerful episode. SHOW NOTES: Talk saves lives. If you're dealing with mental health issues, diagnosed or not, know that it's okay to talk about it. 9 out of 10 people who die from suicide have a mental illness. Dennis was away at college when his older brother Mark died by suicide. "I came home for the funeral but didn't even stay a week. As a family we just kept going as if things were normal. I didn't see a counselor - I started drinking a lot." "When suicide happens,

What are your qualities that people are most attracted to? What makes you intrinsically you? Sally Hogshead, author of Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resist, was in a car accident as a girl. The resulting damage to her face left her feeling that her "smile had turned into a grimace." As an extrovert who connected through her smile, this left her insecure and unsure how to connect with others. Sally has come a long way in the 30 years since the accident, but it's still at the heart of the work she does: "Its a gift to get to share with other people what their best gifts are so that no one feels insecure." Sally shares her expertise with major brands and teams like Nike, Ikea and Target. Today, she shares with us so we can identify our best qualities (and those of our business) so we  can better connect with others and live inspired. SHOW NOTES Aspire to be the best YOU; not compared to others. When you put time into your natural gifts (v. spending time improving weaknesses), you make extraord

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost   I love this quote from Robert Frost. Each of our guests from Season 4, though very different from each other (from co-founder of eHarmony to a super model and ESPN host to my personal business coach), chose the path less travelled... and it "truly made all the difference."   On episode 44, I'm sharing with you my favorite take aways from each Season 4 guest. You'll not only get a rapid-fire inspirational download, but also see which episodes speak to you most so you can revisit them.   Here we go! 10 amazing guests and my favorite takeaway from each:   SHOW NOTES: Les Parrott, co-creator of eHarmony, psychologist, professor, author, husband and father: "The most important thing you can do for your relationship is what you do for yourself." This episode is for you if: You're ready to improve your relationships or long for a stronger relationship at home or in the mirror.  Edie Var

"Take a breath and focus on what is important right now. Don't get too far ahead and miss what you need to do now." This advice comes from Chris Norton. You've likely "met" him through the viral video of him walking across the stage at his graduation. Why was this so meaningful? Chris was paralyzed while playing NCAA football. Accomplishing this walk became his biggest goal. His walk, story and determination will give you amazing insight to live more inspired today. SHOW NOTES: "I didn't think anything could ever happen to me. I thought: 'That's for stories in the paper.'" Stop take a breath and focus on what is important right now. Don't get too far ahead and miss what you need to do now. I was given 3% chance to ever regain feeling or movement below my neck. I let the odds go in one ear and out the other. There were 2 ways to react: Accept it + feel sorry for myself. -OR- Decide to overcome it. I chose the latter. "What can I do today to get better." The first day I nodded my head all day; it was all I co

"Our job on this planet is to perpetuate love." Today's guest is the host of ESPN's Sports Science show, has won 6-emmies and wrote the New York Times bestseller The Perfection Point. John Brenkus realized early in his college career that he wanted to be in the entertainment industry. With this as his singular focus - and without any connections in the field - he took a personal oath to learn the ins and outs of of producing entertainment himself... and just started. In his parents' basement. "I had to have persistence, stubbornness d+ belief to stick around when I was just scraping by. I was just scraping by for a long time." He had success partnering with the Discovery Channel which led to FOX Sports, National Geographic and others. Today, more than ten years later: He is still doing what he loves.  Producing shows that are positive, entertain and educate. Today we get to take a lesson on living inspired from a man who works hard to share positive stories in the media AND has gleaned what it takes to make h

Born on a farm in Oklahoma, the first 15 years of Leah's life allowed her quiet space to and hope and dream about what life could be. When her family moved when she was 15, Leah found herself scrambling to fit in and willing to bend and conform to societal pressures to ensure she did. This ultimately led her to have the prestigious role of "America's Next Top Model." Until one day - she couldn't do it any more. Tune in to hear what finally broke Leah Darrow of her willingness to maintain an unhappy status quo and break free into the life she was meant to lead.  SHOW NOTES: Often we mistakenly find our identity and worth in other people. A lot of problems arise when we don't see the value of who we are regardless of who is holding our hand. After making a mistake in her adolescence, she didn't think she was worthy of forgiveness so she lived her life out of fear. This way, she didn't have to change, she could just live out comfortably. As a model I was living in a world where only the exterior mattered. But t

"You must be present to win. To win in your relationships at work and at home - you must be present." Bestselling author of Nice Bike, phenomenal leadership guru and longtime speaker, Mark Scharenbroich is going to school us on how to connect more effectively with people AND: remind us the importance of doing it. SHOW NOTES: My shop teacher, Leroy, had a big influence on me. One day he asked how I was doing. I said fine. He said, did you think that through? Fine? Is that the kind of life you want to live? He said ask me how I'm doing. I'm GREAT. Great is something to strive for. That's the direction I'm going.  God gave each of us a gift. It's our job to discover it and use it for good. On not so good days I still say "I'm great" and in my head I add "ful" - grateful. If you see something say something. When people go out of their way to help, say something; thank them.  The right moment to tell someone they've had an impact on your life is right now.  Acknowledge, honor, connect. Acknowledge means be fully

"How you respond to adversity determines the story you write." Life came at Ben hard and fast. When he was 6 months old, his divorcee mom was diagnosed with a rare disease and given only a few years to live. The above quote is one Ben gleaned from his mother’s journal*, which he received 10 years after she passed. The time capsule of her positive attitude preserved in the journal swept Ben away. Today, he shares her worldview as a performance coach, speaker and author. You're going to love Ben’s story, heart + concrete tools to build the business and life you want. Don’t miss it. SHOW NOTES: Life is tough but we have it in us to keep fighting. Black boxes: We all have these places where we tuck away things we aren’t ready to deal with. (For me, that was my mom’s journal.) The stuff that takes you deep and makes you ask: Is it time for me to go there? Don’t wait too long to take on the stuff that hurts. Real challenges show real character. Have courage and surround yourself with people who help give you tha

"Today we're going to talk about the power of one. One individual. One action. One impact." The truth that one person can absolutely change the word is one I learned from my burn team when I was in the hospital. Today I am going to share one example of this truth. After being burned on 100% of my body, I wasn't expected to survive much less walk. But, Roy taught me to do exactly that; walk and SO much more. On today's episode, I  share the story of Nurse Roy; a story I used to share from the stage but don't often get the chance to today. It's amazing and I am certain it will help you to see even more clearly the impact you are having in the lives of others everyday. SHOW NOTES: Forget fear, let's talk about love. Love is the starting point. Realize that your life matters. "When you know your why, you can endure any how." From Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Instead of listening in fear, tune in with love. If you do your job, no matter what it is, with purpose and passion: You'll do something bigge

"There's always good that can come from the bad." Cohost of the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show and host of Love What Matters Podcast: Amy Brown is a ray of sunshine as she shares vulnerably with us about her life. From her father walking out on her family to her mother dying of cancer: Amy is a shining example of finding blessings in all of life's experiences. SHOW NOTES: Her dad leaving was a devastating experience that ultimately transformed her life in a positive way. "There's always good that can come from the bad." "My mom was an example of hard work while still making time for me and my sister. Every morning before work, she and her friends gathered at our house and prayed for us. That's a really cool memory for me." "Sometimes you have to be patient to see the blessings that will come from a bad experience." "My mom never spoke ill of my dad. That was so important." As a radio host, when Amy's mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, her audience knew and was interested in the journey. They star

"If you're patient, you'll move past obstacles." Today I am honored to share with you a man who has profoundly inspired me. Koran Bolden is a speaker, author + voice in urban education and arts. He committed to breaking the cycle of growing up in a fatherless home. He overcame the grief of losing his brother to gun violence. His smile can be felt in every word he speaks... and he is about to give you an amazing analogy so you can pivot into your most inspired life. My friends, Koran Bolden: SHOW NOTES: I lost my brother to gun violence. After, it was hard to focus because I lost my father figure and I didn't know how to grieve. "I can't change your past, but if you're open to change I can show you how to be successful in life," Koran's counselor, Martha Christmas If you're patient enough with yourself, you can move past your obstacles. Order Koran's book: Rock, Paper, Scissors Rock, Paper, Scissors: 3 step analogy to pivot in life Rock - Believe Paper - Set goals on paper Scissors - Cut away distractions i

"Busy isn't productive. Your 'to do list' isn't most important. The list of commitments you actually honor is." Today I get to introduce you to the business coach who I began working with 10 years ago when I transitioned from real estate + construction into speaking + writing. Edie Varley has an undeniable energy that will absolutely captivate you. Get ready to recalibrate what is truly important in your life, relationships and business from my business coach and friend. SHOW NOTES: Be your best; not the best, your best. Because with that mindset, you are improving. You never have to apologize at your best. It means you've prepared, planned and executed. Live up to the fullness of your promise. Busy isn't productive. It isn't the 'to do' list that is important. It's the list of commitments that you actually honor. The root of all conflict is unmet expectations. Rarely do we ask, "What do you expect in this relationship?" But we should, so we can agree to it. Whats so horrible about your mind being changed? W

"The most important thing you'll do for your relationships is what you do for yourself." Our guest today is a co-creator of eHarmony, psychologist, professor, author, husband and father, Les Parrott. When I shared a stage with Les at the Dave Ramsey SMART Conference, I was blown away by his wisdom.  He's shared his expertise with Oprah, Barbara Walters and Tom Brokaw... and today he will share it with us. My friends, are you ready to improve your relationships with these amazing insights on sustaining life-long love? Here we go! SHOW NOTES: Fight Night - the event Les and Leslie (his wife) host where couples talk about their conflict and how to leverage it to bring them closer together. Saving Your Marriage before It Starts is their most popular book. We aren't entitled and don't always get what we feel we deserve - so we must learn how to adjust to the things beyond our control. Have you faced marriage myths with honesty? Ex: This person should make me whole. We're set up for heartache; nobody can complete

You can control and resist life or you can dive in. Let's take the wise words from season 3 guest Christine Hassler and: DIVE IN together. It's our day to LIVE INSPIRED! The guests on our show are ordinary people doing extraordinary things on purpose. On this episode, we'll celebrate the best insights from each Season 3 guest AND how it will impact the inspired life you're living.  After just 3 seasons, we've got 400,000 downloads! Which means more lives are  being touched and more people are living inspired with us. Thanks for being part of this Live Inspired movement and for sharing it with your friends.   Subscribe for Season 4 wherever you get your podcasts! Also, get inspiration and updates from me via email: JohnOLearyInspires.com/mondaymotivation SHOW NOTES: Brian Vander Ark, lead singer of The Verve Pipe: When asked if he gets sick of playing his 90s hit song The Freshman, he responded: "How can you get sick of playing a song that brings SO much joy to so many people?" Chris Hogan, author, radio and

"What more can I do?" This epic question is the one I learned from the example of Hall of Fame Announcer Jack Buck. When our paths crossed, we were strangers. I had just been burned on 100% of my body and the doctors had given me less than 1% chance to survive.  On today's episode, I  share what has become my most requested story to share when I'm speaking at events. It's the story of an unlikely friendship. Hall of Fame Announcer and The "Voice of the Cardinals" Jack Buck absolutely changed my life and hearing it just might change yours. Can't wait to share the story with you again, or for some of you: For the very first time. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: Think back to a time when you were experiencing a hardship: What might have changed if your hero walked in to help you? Is there someone you know going through a hardship you could step in and be a hero for today? Crying is a sign of great strength.  When someone is truly smiling, you can see it in their eyes. Leadership is about meeting people where they are; meeti

"We found ourselves in parachutes floating down over enemy territory." Charlie Plumb spent his impoverished yet idyllic childhood in Kansas "kicking cans and playing in the light of the moon.” When it was time for college, he won a scholarship and hopped on a Greyhound bus to the military academy in Annapolis. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he immediately married his high school sweet heart and went onto flight training. In 1963 he was in Vietnam and on his 75th mission, his plane was shot down. Charlie says what got him through captivity was his "why" or his purpose -- coming home safely to his bride. Years later when he finally got off enemy soil and called her, she shared that she had filed for divorce and was engaged to another man. Charlie was never bitter. He didn't regret not knowing that his wife had moved on. "I thought, how can I be unhappy? I’ve just been released from prison. 24/7 I didn’t know if I’d be alive [and today I'm free] you can’t rain on my parade." Charlie's spirit captivated

"I grew up in New York, in a small place..." Lolly Daskal grew up in Brooklyn, NY. One of the biggest most metropolitan cities in the world, and yet to Lolly "it felt like a very small place." Her life existed within a few city blocks and her community only spoke Yiddish, German and Hungarian. Her family was very religious and she was expected to be married and begin having children by 16. Lolly grew up very inquisitive, which was not supported in an environment where you were expected to just keep things "they way they are." When she first moved out of the community, she discovered the power of books and believed for the first time: "Wow!" I can ask any question, do anything, be anyone!" For the first time - her world felt expansive. While she felt she no longer had a home, she found "sometimes you have to get lost to be found." Lolly has been an insatiable student of books, the world and human behavior since. Today, she is a highly-sought business coach and author and her mission is to teach others how to "

"We need to stop judging each other and thinking we know, because you would never know my story unless I told you." Laila Ali is a fitness & wellness guru, podcaster, author, undefeated 4-time boxing champion, has appeared on Dancing with the Stars and Chopped and is the daughter of Muhammad Ali. Today she shares vulnerably the path to all that she has accomplished in her 39 years - and WOW is it a lot! Laila is one of the most focused, driven and loyal people I've met and you are going to love her story. SHOW NOTES   What was it like to grow up the daughter of Muhammad Ali? "That's all I knew! My Dad loved a crowd. There was always a lot of excitement and people. My home was like a public place growing up." My mom taught me how to be consistent through her example. Everyday I saw her working out and eating a plant-based diet. My dad taught me through his 'champion within.' When he got Parkinson's, he was an example of how to live your life with a positive mind and do things you want to do despite illnes

"Coaching is a vocation to reach men who need to be reached." His Dad left when he was 4. His Mom's 4th husband shot at him when he was 17. Bill Courtney didn't have male role models at home, but he found them on the field and in the classroom. Today, Bill is a business owner, husband and father who believes: Giving back isn't something nice to do. It is a responsibility.  Bill chose to coach football in an impoverished North Memphis High School for a team that had won 4 games in 10 years. Through the tenants of love, consistency and self-assurance, he turned the team - and many lives - around. This story won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2011 for UNDEFEATED. I recently watched this movie with my wife and we were both so moved I knew I needed to get Bill on the show to share his story with you. Here we go! SHOW NOTES: Growing up, I tried to figure out what was wrong with me "since my father didn't want me." It manifested into me doing things to prove I was worthy. In Undefeated, you see all of these fath

"Sometimes we hold onto the life we think we're supposed to have. But in letting go, we get new possibilities." Janine Shepherd grew up an athlete in rural Australia. At 24, she was training for her first Olympics. On a 5-hour training ride, she was hit by a truck.  Janine was left with a broken neck and back, massive internal bleeding and blood pressure at 40 over nothing. Janine Shepherd was not expected to survive. Miraculously, 10 days later, the internal bleeding stopped. She was in the hospital for six months. When she came home, she was paralyzed from the waste down, wrapped in a plaster body cast and attached to a catheter. She was told she'd never be able to do any of the things she did before. Janine decided "Maybe I can't do the things I did before, but I am going to do something extraordinary!" You don't want to miss what Janine has done in the 20+ years since her accident. Join us on this amazing interview. SHOW NOTES: A one time Olympic-destined skier, Janine has found deeper purpose in "hills