“One thing that will make you better suited towards being able to deal with that is if you have a resilient mindset to know that whatever you’re going through, what is the lesson I’m going to get out of it and how is it going to make me better? Where is the positive growth going to come from here?”

Tiran Jackson’s story is a masterclass in turning heartbreak into hope and challenge into fuel. If you think a speaking career is about big breaks or spotlight moments, Tiran is living proof that the real work happens in the trenches of adversity. What began as a thriving engineering career was turned upside down by a tragic accident that took his wife’s life and left Tiran fighting for his own. In the aftermath, he didn’t set out to be a speaker, but the realization that his journey through loss, resilience, and rebuilding could help others, sparked something new.

For months, Tiran focused on tiny, consistent steps: showing up for grueling physical therapy, supporting his son through grief, and speaking at small gatherings, but each moment, and every bit of hard-won progress, mattered. His breakthrough wasn’t about having the “best” story, but about building the discipline to show up, refine his message, and deeply serve his audience.

Today, Tiran speaks to leadership teams, NFL athletes, and faith communities on resilience and using adversity for growth. His business didn’t happen overnight—it grew as he learned to share his story with intention, listen to the needs of his audience, and put in the work of outreach and relationship-building. The lesson? Success as a speaker isn’t about being the loudest or most dramatic voice—it’s about being willing to show up, be real, adapt, and encourage others no matter how tough it gets.

You’ll learn:

Using adversity for growth
Resilience in challenging situations
The role of a strong support system
Growing confidence and recognition of potential
The importance of process, audience outreach, and message refinement
Customizing talks for various audiences
The value of building long-term relationships
Knowing one’s value
The realities of building a business
And much, much more!

“If you’re not good at something, the best thing you can do is have a process for improvement.”

Episode Resources

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Dark: AI in Immersive, Art, and the LA Art Show