LIFE BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT

Living a life that inspires others has been one of my greatest blessings. From sharing my story on stages around the world to achieving goals I once thought impossible, I’m proud of the amazing things I’ve had the opportunity to do. But if you ask my friends, they’d tell you that one of the most inspiring things about me isn’t what I’ve accomplished in the spotlight—it’s how much I enjoy leading a normal, joy-filled life, embracing the little things that make every day meaningful.

When I’m not working, I’m just Jake—a guy who loves playing guitar, grilling in the backyard, or sitting on the lanai watching my Cubs and Trojans while enjoying a good cigar and bourbon. From seasonal decorations to spontaneous beach days and exploring new restaurants, I find joy in the simple things that make life extraordinary.

Want to know more about my favorite pastimes and quirks? Click through below for some fun facts and a deeper look into my interests and the “normal life” that means so much to me.

Random Fun Facts About Me

Three Goals I’m Working Toward

1. Finishing my third book — sharing the full circle story of my football journey and the faith that carried me through it all.
2. Creating a golf youtube channel — spreading my love for the game while entertaining with humor and good, competitive fun.
3. Going back to school to get a graduate degree in divinity or theology — deepening my faith and exploring ways to inspire others spiritually.

Bourbon, Blindness, and Big Ice Cubes

I’ve developed quite the passion for cigars and bourbon, curating a small collection that brings a little extra flair to my downtime. Whether I’m on the golf course casually playing a round or kicking back on the lanai cheering for my Trojans, these moments pair perfectly with an Oliva Serie V and my go-to bourbon, Angel’s Envy. Of course, it’s best served with a big ice cube—Audrey even got me a custom mold with a giant “O” for Christmas. How cool is that?

Three Unexpected Challenges of Being Blind

1. Opening a Tesla door – Who knew modern car designs could be so tricky? Those flush handles are definitely not my best friend.
2. Reading a PDF document – You’d think technology would have this covered by now, but PDFs are like the Rubik’s cubes of accessibility.
3. Putting toothpaste on a toothbrush – It sounds simple, but trust me, nailing the toothpaste placement takes a level of precision that feels Olympic-worthy some days—especially when the tube starts running low.

A House Full of Cheer

When it comes to seasonal decorations, I don’t hold back—especially in the fall and at Christmas. No matter the time of year, you’ll find our home decked out in festive cheer. In fact, when we first moved in, the fall decor went up before the furniture did. Even though I can’t see the twinkling lights or the sparkling ornaments on the tree, I feel the warmth, the vibe, and I imagine their magical beauty. There’s something about the smell of candles, the cozy atmosphere, and the spirit of the season that makes it my absolute favorite time of year.

Three Bible Verses I’m Especially Relying On Right Now

1. Jeremiah 29:11 – I’ve always held onto this promise for my future, and now for Rowan’s and our family’s future, trusting in God’s plans to guide and provide.
2. Psalms 61:1-4 – I am crying out to God and desperately seeking His refuge and shelter in this season of life.
3. Ephesians 5:25-28 – Loving Audrey every day as Christ loved the church shapes how I approach our marriage and strive to honor her in all I do.

My Fandom Frenzy

When it comes to sports, I’m a Trojan fan through and through—USC will always have my heart. But beyond that, my loyalty branches out in some pretty funny ways. I grew up rooting for the Chicago Cubs, thanks to my family’s Chicago roots, and 2016 was nothing short of magical. Last year, I even made it to Wrigley Field for the first time with my dad—an unforgettable experience! Now, when it comes to the NFL, things get a little messy. I’d say I love football more than I love any one team. Sure, I’ll cheer for the Bears, Seahawks, Raiders (for Coach Carroll, of course), and even the Jaguars since moving to Jacksonville. But honestly, I probably hate certain teams more than I root for the ones I like! Rounding it out is the Anaheim Ducks—there’s nothing quite like cheering for your hockey team when they’re thriving. I was lucky to see them win a Stanley Cup as a kid, but now I’m eagerly waiting for their next big run. Let’s go, Ducks—hurry it up!

Joy of the Journey

Life is an adventure, and I love making the most of it. Whether it’s traveling to new cities, playing in the waves at a remote beach, or finding a great restaurant with live music for date night, I’m always up for exploring. Audrey and I aim to visit at least one or two cool cities each year, and in 2024, we both experienced Europe for the first time together. The excitement of discovering a new place is unbeatable, and I love how Audrey brings the world to life for me by describing the sights and sounds of every unique environment we visit.

Pre-Workout & Perseverance

My love for fitness began during my first year at USC, and it quickly became so much more than just a physical activity—it was therapeutic. Learning how to lift and exercise taught me life lessons that transcend the gym: discipline, hard work, delayed gratification, trust, and growth through failure. It meant so much to me that by the time I graduated in 2020, I earned my personal trainer certification (CPT) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). These days, you won’t find me happier than when I’m sipping my pre-workout and getting a solid pump in the gym.

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Music That Moves Me

Music has always been a huge part of my life, but after losing my sight, it became even more special. Teaching myself to play guitar has been one of my greatest joys—there’s nothing like strumming worship songs by Hillsong or Phil Wickham and worshipping God through music. My love for tunes doesn’t end there, though. From jamming to Rebelution on beach days, grilling ribeyes to the sounds of Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac, or winding down with Audrey to Josh Abbott and Chris Stapleton after Rowan’s asleep, music sets the mood for every aspect of my life.

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FROM FIRST TEE TO FOREVER

Blind love is a mystery that fascinates people. “How did you know she was beautiful? How did you fall in love?” they ask. For me, the answer is simple: beauty goes far beyond what the eyes can see.

It turns out, landing speaking gigs can lead to more than just inspiring audiences—it can lead to finding the love of your life. My wife, Audrey, first discovered me through my speaking engagement at the First Tee National Championship. Though she wasn’t in the audience, she had a front-row seat to my story while researching speakers for the event. The funny thing is, what really caught her attention wasn’t my story—it was the dog bowl of water I requested for my guide dog, Quebec. That small, quirky detail started a chain of events that changed both of our lives forever.

After the event, I received a new Instagram follower: Audrey Brooks. Her name caught my attention—so much so that I asked a friend to confirm what I couldn’t see for myself. Was this beach volleyball player from Jacksonville as beautiful as her name sounded? Turns out, she was. A few DMs turned into phone calls, and one sweet southern-accented voice later, I knew I had to meet her in person. As luck would have it, the Blue Angels were flying in Jacksonville, and I found the perfect excuse to visit. Our first date left me hooked—Audrey was everything I’d ever hoped for: strong, sweet, adventurous, and so full of life. Long-distance didn’t stand a chance against the connection we had.

Fast forward to 2024, and I found myself standing on the balcony of an 11th-century castle in Salzburg, Austria, the most incredible woman I’d ever met by my side. Our first trip to Europe was already a dream, but I had one more unforgettable moment planned. Ring tucked in my pocket, I waited for the perfect time to ask Audrey to be my queen. That quiet corner of the fortress, overlooking the city and river below, was the moment I’d been waiting for. I dropped to one knee and asked her to marry me. Spoiler alert: she said yes.

Just a few months later, we were back on Jax Beach, under a cross arbor, with the waves crashing behind us. Barefoot, surrounded by family and friends, I said “I do” to the most amazing woman I could have ever prayed for. Now, we’re building a beautiful life together, guided by God’s love and inspired by the future we’re creating for our little family. But what brought us to that beach? How did we overcome distance, challenges, and time to reach forever? Click below to read our full story—there’s so much more to share.

Read the Full Story A Devotional from my Pastor

Let's Connect

Interested in booking me for a speech? Want to do an interview to talk about life, faith, my latest football takes—or to hear my finest dad jokes? How about a round of golf where I promise not to gloat too much when I beat you! Whatever brings you here, I’d love the opportunity to connect!

LET’S CHAT

If you’d like to connect—whether it’s to debate the Cubs playoff chances, swap cigar suggestions, or brainstorm decoration ideas for the upcoming season—just fill out the form below. I’d love to hear from you!