About Me

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.

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.

Featured Interviews

#2- Jake Olson | Football, Inspiration, and Faith

If There's a Will, There's a Way

He's One of the MOST INSPIRING People in the WORLD!

Overcoming Adversity USC Long Snapper Jake Olson's Inspiring Journey Purple Banter in The Desert

USC Blind Long Snapper Jake Olson Lost Eyesight by Age 12 But Continued to Fight On

FROM FIRST TEE TO FOREVER

It turns out, landing speaking gigs can lead to more than inspiring audiences—it can lead to love. My wife, Audrey, found me because of my speaking engagement at the First Tee National Championship. She didn’t actually attend the event, as it was in Northern California and First Tee’s headquarters are in Jacksonville. Instead, her job was to research and vet potential speakers for the event. In other words, she pretty much got paid to stalk me online.

Audrey watched my videos, read articles about me, and decided I was worth booking. But what really sealed the deal wasn’t my story or my stage presence—it was the single request in my speaking rider: a dog bowl of water for my guide dog, Quebec. She thought that was the coolest and cutest thing ever.

Fast forward to after the event, I was scrolling through my Instagram notifications—something I rarely do because of all the bot accounts—when I heard my voiceover software announce, “Audrey Brooks followed you.” The name caught my attention. I thought, “That sounds like a cute girl’s name.” So, naturally, I clicked on her profile and discovered she was a collegiate beach volleyball player at the University of North Florida. Pretty name, beach volleyball player, southern beach city—she had to be cute, right?

As any blind guy would, I called up my buddy to verify. He gave me the green light, so I followed her back. I wasn’t expecting much, given the distance between Jacksonville and Southern California, but I replied to one of her Instagram stories. I completely misunderstood what she meant, but it didn’t matter—the ice was broken.