How do you come back from a 1% chance of survival? How do you fight back when life gives you every reason to give up? John O’Leary didn’t simply survive a devastating childhood fire—he found a way to transform his battle into something far greater. In this episode, John shares the approach that helped him overcome incredible odds and how you can apply it to your own challenges in life. This conversation isn’t only about survival; it’s about refusing to be a victim, pushing through the hardest moments, and redefining what’s possible. If you're ready to challenge the way you view adversity, you won’t want to miss this. KEY TOPICS How a near-fatal fire taught John the ultimate lesson in resilience—and why it's relevant to your life today.Refusing to embrace victimhood: Why most people settle for excuses instead of pushing past their pain.How John’s parents preserved their marriage despite tragedy, and why to continually choose God and your spouse over everything else.Breaking free from the chains of self-doubt: What you can learn from John’s story to overcome your own limitations. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life andBusiness 00:44 The Most Meaningful Wedding Gift: Sanger’s Story 04:18 Introducing John O’Leary 08:45 John’s Life-Changing Moment: Playing with Fire 11:37 How John’s Family Survived Trauma 14:00 John’s Decision to Reject Victimhood 16:25 Stop Comparing Traumas 18:49 Overcoming Tragedy in Marriage 21:14 Putting God and Your Spouse First 26:05 John’s Mother’s Life-Altering Question 30:50 John’s Decision to Fight Against the Odds 33:17 Playing Piano Without Fingers 35:39 Working as a Farmhand 38:00 The Gift of Suffering 40:27 John’s Path to Living Vulnerably 42:51 How John Parents His Kids 45:09 Learning to Ski the Hard Way: Sanger’s Father-SonLesson 47:27 Sharing Your Personal Story 49:50 Saying Yes to Opportunities 52:13 On Fire: Feature Film of John’s Story 54:36 How Saying “Yes” Can Change Your Life 56:57 The World’s Greatest Salesman’s Advice 59:14 John’s Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners 1:01:09 Key Takeaways CONNECT WITH US www.decidedlypodcast.com Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe on YouTube Join us on Instagram: @decidedlypodcast Join us on Facebook Shawn’s Instagram: @shawn_d_smith Sanger’s Instagram: @sangersmith Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast. SANGER’S BOOK: A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact SHAWN’S BOOK: Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION? At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. LEARN MORE: www.decidedlywealth.com EXCLUSIVE STORIES IN THE NEWSLETTER: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR CONNECT WITH JOHN O’LEARY Website: https://johnolearyinspires.com/ Live Inspired Podcast: https://johnolearyinspires.com/podcast/ Blog: https://johnolearyinspires.com/blog/ John O'Leary faced unimaginable challenges as a child after a devastating fire explosion left him with severe burns and a 1% chance of survival. Today, he inspires people who feel like they’re stuck going through the motions of life to confront their struggles and find strength in their stories, overcoming the temptation to continue coming up with excuses that hold them back. John is a two-time national bestselling author and host of the top-rated Live Inspired podcast.
