A Conversation with John O’Leary: Embracing Scars and Finding Awe

John O’Leary, a man whose life story is as inspiring as it is challenging, shared his journey and insights on the InVisible InCourage SHOW. From surviving a devastating house fire to becoming a motivational speaker and author, John’s perspective on life, family, and invisible disabilities is a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s resilience.

A Story of Survival and Scars

At age nine, John O’Leary suffered burns on 100% of his body, with 87% being third-degree, after a massive explosion in his garage. The accident, which happened on a Saturday morning in 1987, was the result of him trying to pour gasoline on a piece of burning paper, mimicking older boys he had seen in his neighborhood. Doctors told his parents there was “absolutely utterly no chance of surviving”.

The fire changed his world, but what followed was a testament to love and courage. John spent five months in the hospital and endured years of surgery. His fingers were amputated as a result of the fire, leaving him with visible scars that he struggled to embrace for many years.

John credits his survival and ability to thrive to the unwavering support of his family, particularly his parents. His mother, who walked into his hospital room to find him with clothes on his body but no skin, showed incredible strength. She took his hand and told him, “You take the hand of God, you walk the journey with him, and you fight like you have never, ever fought before. John, you own this”. This bold question and challenge from his mother was a turning point in his life.

Another pivotal moment came when his father entered the emergency room. Fearing his father’s anger because he had caused the fire and the burning down of their family home, John was astonished when his dad pulled back the curtain, looked at him, and said he was proud to be his father. His father’s words of love and forgiveness were a turning point in his recovery.

The Invisible Scars

While John’s physical scars are visible, he believes the “far tougher thing to get through are the invisible scars”. He recognizes that the fire didn’t just impact him; it had a profound effect on his entire family. His siblings lost their home and went five months without their parents, who were constantly at the hospital. He realized that the fire happened to his family, not just to him.

He also acknowledges the struggles of his parents. His father, a man he looked up to, has battled Parkinson’s disease for more than three decades. His mother, the caregiver, also lives with her own invisible disabilities. John’s experiences have given him a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by those with invisible disabilities, many of whom feel isolated, alone, and even disbelieved.

From “On Fire” to “In Awe”

John’s story and life lessons are chronicled in his books, On Fire and In Awe.

In On Fire, he shares seven choices to ignite a radically inspired life, with the most important being to “own your life”. This principle, rooted in his mother’s challenge to him to fight for his life, is about taking accountability and choosing to live vibrantly despite challenges.

His second book, In Awe, was born from his observation of the difference between how adults and children approach life. He noticed that while many adults are simply “enduring” life, children approach it with curiosity, wonder, and a desire to make the world better. The book is an exploration of how adults can return to this childlike sense of awe and see problems as opportunities.

A beautiful example of this is John’s story about learning to play the piano after his accident. Even though he had no fingers, his mother insisted he continue lessons. She had a piano teacher come to their home, and with a pencil strapped to his hand, he began playing again. He plays the piano almost every day, believing that “perfection is the enemy of progress”. The music, he says, not only heals but also inspires others to see what is possible.

A Message of Hope and Connection

John believes that no one is “big enough, bold enough, tough enough to get through life all by ourselves” and that it “certainly takes others” to move through adversity. His mission is to inspire people to thrive because “God demands it, my family deserves it, and the world is starved for it”.

He encourages everyone, especially those with invisible disabilities, to remember that they are not alone and that their best days are still ahead of them. “You are worthy. You are loved. You are enough,” he affirms.

NOTE: John O’Leary‘s inspirational story is coming to the big screen! The film Soul on Fire, based on his best-selling book On Fire, is set for a nationwide theatrical release on October 10, 2025. The movie, which was filmed in O’Leary’s hometown of St. Louis, is directed by Sean McNamara, known for his work on films such as Soul Surfer and The Miracle Season. The film stars William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, and Stephanie Szostak.