Ep.163 I Deciding to Refuse Victimhood: He Had a 1% Chance of Survival… with John O’Leary
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
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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.