What John O'Leary - Live Inspired. does

John O'Leary - Live Inspired is a founder-owned personal brand and content business built around motivational speaker, author, and podcaster John O'Leary, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company sells keynote speaking engagements, books, podcast content, branded merchandise, and a feature film, all anchored by O'Leary's personal story of surviving burns over 100% of his body at age nine. Core products include in-person keynotes at $20,000–$50,000+ (with a $10,000 virtual tier), three books (ON FIRE and IN AWE as #1 national bestsellers, plus Overwhelming Odds), the weekly Live Inspired Podcast (900+ episodes, 4.8-star Apple Podcasts rating), the SOUL ON FIRE film (released October 2025), the free Live Inspired Together community (100,000+ members across 49 states and 13 countries), the Monday Motivation newsletter (100,000+ subscribers), and a branded merchandise shop. The customer base includes enterprise clients such as Microsoft, Southwest, PepsiCo, MetLife, Verizon, AstraZeneca, Cigna, Bayer, LEGO, Genentech, and SHRM, alongside associations, schools, healthcare systems, faith-based organizations, and individual consumers.

The business operates on a multi-channel go-to-market model: direct enterprise sales via a speaker request form, DTC e-commerce for books and merchandise, free podcast and newsletter distribution on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, and Pandora, and community engagement through monthly Zoom sessions. Revenue mechanics are primarily professional services (speaking fees as the core) supplemented by one-time book sales, licensing/royalties (film), and a freemium community model that serves as a top-of-funnel acquisition layer. Marketing channels include content marketing, organic social media, PR/earned media (25M+ media impressions), and speaking engagements themselves as a customer acquisition channel. The team is intentionally lean at 7 employees, working flexibly from a Kirkwood (St. Louis area) office, and the business is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

John O'Leary - Live Inspired.

Legal name

John O'Leary

Website

https://johnolearyinspires.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

John O'Leary - Live Inspired is a founder-owned personal brand selling motivational keynote speaking ($10K–$50K+), bestselling books, a weekly podcast, branded merchandise, and a 2025 feature film, serving enterprise clients including Microsoft, Southwest, PepsiCo, and Verizon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motivational Speaking Services

NAICS

Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirituality & Personal Growth Publishing (Mindfulness, Contemplative, New Age) (MPAJAHAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Apps, Digital Courses & Online Communities (HSADAJAH), Spiritual, Metaphysical & Inspirational Gifts Retail (CRALAJAJ)

Keywords

• Motivational keynote speaking
• Inspirational speaking services
• Personal development books
• Leadership development events
• Burn survivor inspirational content

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Speaking Fees: Primary revenue driver through keynote presentations at corporate events, conferences, schools, and religious institutions. Pricing tiers based on event duration, organization type, and location with international events commanding premium rates.
2. Book Sales: Sale of published books including ON FIRE, IN AWE, and Overwhelming Odds. Books priced $18-25 for paperbacks, with bundle options available.
3. Virtual Experiences: Virtual keynote presentations, workshops, and coaching delivered remotely, offered as a lower-cost alternative to in-person events.
4. Community Membership: Free membership community offering monthly Zoom meetings with John, exclusive content, and connection opportunities. Free tier serves as customer acquisition and engagement channel.
5. Merchandise: Apparel (t-shirts, hoodies), accessories (wristbands, mugs, journals), and branded merchandise sold through the online shop.
6. Film Revenue: SOUL ON FIRE feature film released October 2025, with DVD sales and associated licensing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

John O'Leary - Live Inspired delivers paid in-person and virtual motivational keynote speaking engagements to corporate, association, education, healthcare, faith, and sales organizations, priced from $10,000 to $50,000+ per engagement. The business complements its speaking services with three published books, a weekly podcast, a free members-only community, branded merchandise, and a feature film based on the founder's life story.

Product overview

John O'Leary - Live Inspired is a personal brand and content platform offering inspirational speaking services, published books, and podcast content. The core offerings include keynote speaking (both in-person and virtual) with themes centered on living an inspired life, three bestselling books (ON FIRE, IN AWE, and Overwhelming Odds), the Live Inspired Podcast featuring weekly conversations with guests, and the SOUL ON FIRE feature film. Additional offerings include the Live Inspired Together community (free members-only virtual space with monthly Zoom sessions), the On Fire For Good monthly recognition campaign, and Monday Motivation weekly newsletter. The business also offers branded merchandise including apparel, mugs, journals, and intention cards. All offerings are centered on John O'Leary's personal story of survival after a childhood fire accident and his message of inspiration, resilience, and living with purpose.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• On Fire For Good: A monthly campaign celebrating individuals who demonstrate gratitude, joy, and positive impact in their communities.
• Live Inspired Together
• The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE

Products and services

• Keynote Speaking Engagements In-person keynote presentations delivered by John O'Leary to corporate groups, associations, schools, healthcare organizations, and faith-based institutions. Keynotes include IN AWE, ON FIRE, Power of One, and Be the Light themes, tailored to industries including Sales & Marketing, Insurance & Finance, Safety, Executive Leadership, Healthcare, Education, Faith, and Associations.
• Virtual Speaking Experiences
• Live Inspired Podcast Weekly podcast featuring conversations with special guests to help listeners do more, be more, and achieve more. Includes Monday Moments (short inspirational segments) and full-length Thursday episodes with guests. Distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. Rated 4.8 stars with 648 ratings and 900+ episodes produced.
• ON FIRE Book Instant #1 National Bestselling book presenting 7 choices to transform lives from dull to extraordinary. Available in hardcover ($20-$25), ebook ($13.99), and audiobook formats, with options for personalized message and autograph.
• IN AWE Book #1 bestselling book showing readers how to rediscover childlike wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning, and joy. Published by Penguin Random House on May 5, 2020. Available with the 21-Day IN AWE Challenge and as a bundle with the Playbook.
• Overwhelming Odds Book Book by John O'Leary's parents telling the family's story of the fire incident and recovery. Paperback priced at $18. Nearly 100,000 copies sold.
• SOUL ON FIRE DVD DVD release of the feature film SOUL ON FIRE, which tells John O'Leary's life story. The film opened in theaters nationwide in October 2025, directed by Sean McNamara and starring William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, and Masey McLain. DVD priced at $24.99.
• Live Inspired Together Community
• Monday Motivation Newsletter
• Apparel and Merchandise
• The Voices of SOUL ON FIRE Podcast Series Companion podcast series featuring behind-the-scenes conversations with the actors, director, composer, and creative team behind the SOUL ON FIRE film, including Sean McNamara, Mac Powell, James McCracken, Masey McLain, DeVon Franklin, Stephanie Szostak, Joel Courtney, William H. Macy, John Corbett, and Mark Isham.

Quantifiable outcome

• Two #1 National Bestselling books (ON FIRE and IN AWE)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mel Robbins: Mel Robbins is a motivational speaker, #1 bestselling author (The 5 Second Rule), and podcast host. Direct peer in the personal development/motivational speaking space with a similar multi-channel content platform (books, podcast, courses, speaking) targeting corporate and individual consumers.
• Rachel Hollis: Rachel Hollis is a motivational speaker, podcast host (Rise), and bestselling author (Girl, Wash Your Face) targeting personal development audiences. Direct peer in the inspirational speaking and personal growth content category.
• Marie Forleo: Marie Forleo hosts the MarieTV podcast, runs Marie Forleo International, and is a bestselling author (Everything Is Figureoutable). Direct peer combining motivational content, online programs, and live speaking targeting personal growth audiences.
• Jay Shetty: Jay Shetty is a motivational speaker, bestselling author (Think Like a Monk), and host of the On Purpose podcast. Direct peer operating a similar content-plus-speaking-plus-book platform targeting personal growth and corporate audiences with a digitally native distribution strategy.
• Les Brown: Les Brown is a veteran motivational speaker and bestselling author with decades of corporate and association engagements. Direct peer in the motivational keynote space, particularly for sales and leadership audiences.
• Andy Andrews: Andy Andrews is a bestselling author (The Traveler's Gift, The Noticer) and motivational speaker targeting corporate audiences with personal growth and leadership messaging. Direct peer in the inspirational keynote and personal growth publishing category.
• Brendon Burchard: Brendon Burchard is a #1 New York Times bestselling author (High Performance Habits) and motivational speaker with a premium speaking and online education business. Direct peer in the high-performance motivational speaking category serving both corporate and individual consumers.
• Lewis Howes: Lewis Howes hosts the School of Greatness podcast and is a bestselling author and motivational speaker. Direct peer in the personal development speaking space with a comparable integrated platform spanning podcast, books, courses, and live events.

Broad incumbents

• Brené Brown: Brené Brown is a research-backed motivational speaker and bestselling author (Dare to Lead, Atlas of the Heart) with a broader portfolio of keynote programs, Netflix specials, and corporate leadership content. Comparable as a higher-tier incumbent in the same inspirational speaking category.
• Dave Ramsey: Dave Ramsey is a bestselling author and motivational speaker focused on financial literacy, with a radio show, podcast, and live events. Broader incumbent in motivational speaking who has appeared alongside John O'Leary, demonstrating category overlap in financial and inspirational keynote segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/jolearyinspires
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRXJIPZAni0_zakjCFh5VTQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/JohnOLearyRisingAbove
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-o-leary-live-inspired
• Instagraminstagram.com/johnoleary.inspires

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about John O'Leary - Live Inspired.