Red Light Revolution: John Graham Harper on Innovation and Entrepreneurial Wellness

The Power of Natural Light: "They say that now we're living in an age where 95% of our day is spent indoors under artificial light." - John Graham Harper, CEO of Lumaflex

Why Listen?

If you’re an entrepreneur feeling the grind, looking for ways to improve your performance—or simply craving an uplifting story about overcoming adversity—this episode is for you. John’s passion is contagious, and his commitment to making a global impact is something every listener can draw inspiration from.

Meet John Graham Harper

John’s journey is anything but ordinary. Born in India, carrying an Australian passport, and now a global citizen, John has built an impressive resume: founder of a cutting-edge wellness tech brand (Lumaflex), official member of the Forbes Business Council, president of White Collar Fight Night in China, and collaborator with fitness organizations around the world. His true passion? Empowering people to recover, rebuild, and—as he puts it—“exceed the prior limits they have placed on themselves.”

Highlights from the Episode

From Rugby to Red Light:

John’s own journey from competitive sports to recovery after a life-threatening brain tumor sparked his obsession with wellness innovation. After an injury ended his rugby and boxing days, John discovered the power of red light therapy—thanks to a nudge from his wife. The result? A passion that led to the creation of Lumaflex, making red light therapy portable, accessible, and life-changing for millions.

The Entrepreneur’s Edge:

John shares how red light therapy isn’t just about healing sports injuries. It’s about fighting daily inflammation, improving sleep, boosting mental clarity, and energizing your “internal battery”—perfect for busy entrepreneurs tackling stress and long hours.

Lessons on Relationships & Resilience:

From building a business while living out of a suitcase to networking his way across continents, John reveals that his superpower isn’t just positivity, but his knack for connecting people and building strong relationships. It’s a reminder for all of us: Lean into your network and stay resilient. The entrepreneurial journey is a team sport!

No End Game—Just Growth:

When asked about his endgame, John admits he’s always looking for the next challenge. His mission? Making red light therapy a standard of care in wellness—and never settling for “good enough.”

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Moments

00:00 Entrepreneur's Secret to Success

03:55 "Parental Influence: Guru Worship & Travel"

09:35 Rugby Injuries and Boxing Transition

10:32 Boxing-Related Brain Tumor Discovery

15:05 "Light Therapy: Emerging Medical Breakthrough"

17:32 "Embracing Change and Exploration"

21:08 Golf Fitness in Vegas

25:32 Challenges of Starting a Gym

28:55 Red Light Therapy Mogul

30:24 "Alan Derkasher: Innovating Consistent Light Therapy"

33:40 Portable Back Pain Relief Device

37:34 "Trust in Business: A Lost Art?"

41:48 Island Sunlight: A Natural Wonder

43:05 "Light Therapy Powers Cellular Function"

45:48 Optimize Focus and Energy Daily

51:48 Photobiomodulation Advocacy Goals

55:21 "Free Access to Fitness Academy"

Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.

Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.

Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success

Our clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.

Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.

Glenn Harper, CPA, is the Owner and Managing Partner of Harper & Company CPAs Plus, a top 10 Managing Partner in the country (Accounting Today's 2022 MP Elite). His firm won the 2021 Luca Award for Firm of the Year. 

An entrepreneur and speaker, Glenn transformed his firm into an advisory-focused practice, doubling revenue and profit in two years. He teaches entrepreneurs to build financial and operational excellence, speaks nationwide to CPA firm owners about running their businesses like entrepreneurs, and consults with firms across the country. Glenn enjoys golfing, fishing, hiking, cooking, and spending time with his family.

Julie Smith, MBA, is a serial entrepreneur in the public accounting space. She is the Founder of EmpowerCPA™, Founder of PureTax, LLC, COO for Harper & Company CPAs Plus, and Co-host of the Empowering Entrepreneurs podcast. 

Named CPA.com's 2021 Innovative Practitioner of Year, Julie led Harper & Company's transition to an advisory-focused firm, doubling revenue and profit in two years. She now empowers other CPA firm owners nationwide through consulting and speaking, teaching them how to run their businesses like entrepreneurs. Julie lives in Columbus, OH with her family and enjoys travel, coaching basketball, sporting events, and the occasional shopping spree.

Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

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