SPEAKING WITH PURPOSE, INSPIRING WITH PASSION.

At 12 years old, ESPN College GameDay aired their first special on my journey—how I was preparing to lose my sight while finding strength in being around the USC football team. Suddenly, my story wasn’t just mine anymore. People from all over started reaching out, asking if I would come share it. I had never formally spoken before, but next thing I knew, my mom and I were sitting in a hotel room in Thousand Oaks, scrambling to jot down something I could memorize for a group of Wells Fargo executives the next morning.
I won’t pretend my 12 year old self delivered some polished, life changing speech—but what I did have was raw authenticity. My emotions, faith, and courage shown through, and that moment launched me into a career I never planned.
Even though I never actively sought out speaking, God continues to provide opportunities. Over the years, I’ve traveled across the country, sharing my story with schools, churches, Fortune 500 companies, sports teams—you name it. My message has grown alongside my journey, evolving with new challenges, victories, and lessons. But what hasn’t changed is my passion for inspiring others and showing them what’s possible.
Want to learn more? Check out my speaking topics, see some of the organizations I’ve spoken to, and find out if I’m the right fit for your next event!

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Speaking topics

Finding The Setup In The Setback

What if your greatest setback held the key to your greatest breakthrough? Jake’s signature keynote takes audiences on an unforgettable journey through his extraordinary life: battling cancer eight times, losing his sight at age 12, making history in college football, and rising to become the world’s best blind golfer. Infused with personal stories—like heartwarming encounters with sports heroes—along with humor and powerful philosophies, Jake empowers audiences to completely transform their relationship with adversity. He reveals how what seems like a setback can actually be the setup for life’s greatest breakthroughs when approached with resilience and faith.

This transformative talk will have your audience laughing out loud, reflecting deeply, and feeling profoundly moved. They’ll walk away with actionable steps to face adversity head-on and emerge stronger, more focused, and more resilient. Whether it’s a corporate team, student group, or community gathering, this talk resonates with anyone seeking inspiration and growth. Perfect for event planners seeking a speaker to inspire grit, drive productivity, and elevate accountability.

The Power of Possibility: Unlocking Success Through Teamwork & Creativity

Blindness reshaped Jake Olson’s life at age twelve, but his determination to succeed remained unshaken. In this talk, Jake reveals how his will to achieve inspired those around him to innovate and adapt, creating extraordinary possibilities. From a math teacher devising methods to teach Jake calculus, to teammates crafting a unique system for him to play football, to his father guiding him to excel in golf, Jake’s journey highlights the transformative power of teamwork, creativity, and inclusion.

Ideal for leaders, managers, and teams seeking to foster collaboration, spark innovation, and embrace diverse perspectives, this talk delivers actionable strategies to inspire resilience and adaptability. Attendees will leave energized and equipped to recognize potential, overcome obstacles, and unlock the power of possibility within their own teams.

Your Event, My Story

Speaking is more than just words—it’s my purpose, my calling, my God-given gift. It’s a talent I was entrusted with, and through it, I’ve found meaning in sharing my story. Battling cancer and losing my sight were trials that could have broken me, moments where the weight of adversity pressed hard, tempting me to ask, “Why me?” But I’ve come to understand that my struggles were never just for me—they were meant to be shared, to inspire, to give hope. When I stand before a room, whether it’s sales teams grappling with rejection, leaders striving for unity, employees in need of a mindset shift, or donors looking to connect with a cause, I get to bring perspective. I get to show them that resilience isn’t just a word—it’s a lived experience. That even through tragedy, hope endures.

Every time I step onto a stage, I witness transformation—a spark in someone’s eyes, a shift in their posture, a newfound determination taking root. Those moments remind me that my journey, with all its challenges, is worth it. The obstacles I face navigating life without sight, the fears, the uncertainties—they don’t define me. They fuel me. Because breaking barriers isn’t just something I talk about, it’s what I live. And if my story can encourage just one person in your audience to face their own adversity with courage, then every struggle I’ve endured has found its purpose.

Every audience is different, and I want to make sure my message speaks directly to yours. Let me know how I can tailor my story to best encourage, uplift, and inspire the people at your event.

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Empowering Organizations Everywhere

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Engage: The Premier Talent Booking Platform

As President of Engage, I help bridge the gap between talent and the people who want to book them—whether for keynote speeches, exclusive events, or unforgettable experiences. The idea came from my own journey as a motivational speaker, where I quickly realized the booking process was outdated an unnecessarily complicated—endless emails, confusing contracts, and back-and-forth negotiations that slowed everything down. I knew there had to be a better way. That's why I helped create Engage—a platform that takes all that hassle and streamlines it into one seamless system. Now, organizations, teams, and individuals can connect with speakers and talent effortlessly, creating meaningful events without the usual headaches. Looking to book an impactful experience? Check out Engage and see how were changing the game.

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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 Inspire Together

Thank you for considering me for your event! Fill out the form below with your event details—I can’t wait to bring faith, courage, inspiration, and a few good laughs to your audience.