Celebrating John O'Leary: A Gold Star Speaker & an Inspiring Journey
Gail Davis, 17 March 2025
When John O’Leary was just nine years old, a devastating fire left him with burns covering 100% of his body. Doctors gave him only a 1% chance of survival—yet he defied the odds. After months in a hospital bed and years of grueling physical therapy, John emerged not only as a survivor but as a beacon of hope, resilience, and purpose.
At GDA Speakers, our Gold Star Speaker program honors the incredible speaker partners who have reached 40 or more bookings with us. Those who consistently embody excellence, both on and off the stage. John O’Leary is a shining example of this standard, and we are thrilled to celebrate his remarkable milestone in joining our Gold Star Speaker family.
2025 is also particularly exciting for John, as his powerful story is set to reach even more people—a major motion picture, featuring an all-star cast, will soon bring his journey to the big screen.
Our Gold Star Speakers are the foundation of GDA Speakers, and we are honored to welcome John into this distinguished group. Congratulations, John!
Meet the rest of our Gold Star Speakers.
-Gail Davis
Founder & President, GDA Speakers