

Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary
John O'Leary
Expected to die, today he’s inspiring others to truly live.
World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O’Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
World-renowned inspirational speaker + national bestselling author John O’Leary wants to help you wake up from accidental living so you can do, be, achieve and impact more through your life. Every Monday, John shares a quick burst of inspiration to help start your week on fire. Every Thursday, John interviews an amazing guest on their story, successes, failures, lessons, and life to help you uncover tips to apply in yours.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 22, 2020 • 11min
The Creativity Leap with Natalie Nixon (Monday Moment ep. 265)
Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our Live Inspired Podcast Monday Moments segment. As we are facing uncertainty and adversity, I wanted to welcome back creativity strategist, speaker + author Natalie Nixon. Natalie shares her latest book The Creativity Leap and how the lessons outlined apply to today's chapter of life. This timely conversation will inspire you to start your week in awe and on fire! Buoyancy: To cope with current events, Natalie reminds herself + encourages others how important it is to keep showing up. "Creativity is the engine for innovation." Natalie reminds us that during turbulent times is when embracing creativity is most important. "After we're able to zoom out of this conundrum, we will be aligned with the way of being and working that we've alienated from." To stay buoyant, Natalie finds forest bathing regenerative + restorative. Get Natalie Nixon's new book The Creativity Leap here. Natalie joined me for a full interview on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 118. She shared how curiosity can improve your results in business + in life. Listen here. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Jun 18, 2020 • 57min
Kurt Warner: MVP in Football + Life (ep. 264)
The career of Kurt Warner, Super Bowl and 2-time NFL MVPs, reads like a rags-to-riches fairytale. Yet his story off the field I've admired even more. Kurt's dignity and class are undeniable and his example of living faith boldly has changed my own faith walk. Today, Kurt shares a behind-the-scenes look on the unlikely path to his countless accolades. His heartfelt words about his family and faith will absolutely take center stage. If you could use a dose of character, hope and humility, this episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: Practice shapes us. In the NFL, you get 16 opportunities to be under the lights. So that means that 99% if your life is practice. 99% of the impression you leave on people comes from practice... to show people what they are going to get if they show up, you have to show them in practice. Apply this in parenting, work, life - it's all about practice. It's what shapes you and allows you to lead when you need to get on a soapbox or under the lights as a parent of an athlete. Sometimes you have to go through a preparation period to get you ready for what God is calling you to do. Keep yourself open: Although Kurt never expected to fall in love with Brenda, her faith, substance + character intrigued him. Kurt shares the most impactful moment between him + Brenda's son Zack, breaking barriers in their relationship. We're never going to let our circumstances define us. As Kurt was dealing with being cut from the NFL for the first time, Brenda was reeling from the unexpected death of her parents. It was Brenda's faith + how she handled her disappointments that shifted his perspective on life. Seeing Brenda go through her life struggles + reading the stories of overcoming in the Bible helped give him hope that current circumstances don't define future potential. "As I was sitting on the bench for four years in college I asked God, 'Why me?'. Now, I ask God, 'Why me? Why do I get to be the one that has a story like nobody else?'" "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do while you're waiting to do what you were born to do." Kurt's bio-pic American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story will be released in December 2021. KURT WARNER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Bible and I Am Second by Gale Sayers. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? The idea of innocence. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? If I have my wife + children, I have everything I need. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Jesus or one of his disciples. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Never let your circumstances define you. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? This moment is not the end game. Try to become better in it and know there is something on the other side. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? My greatest legacy is the way I loved my wife, kids, teammates and those around me. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Jun 15, 2020 • 8min
Can One Person Create Change? (Monday Moments ep. 263)
Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments. Today I share a story of one of my heroes, Amy Crawford. Amy is a 5th-grade teacher who has a profound way of elevating the kids in her classroom and inspiring others to recognize the meaning and power within their work. Cleaning her classroom before leaving for the weekend, Amy found a remarkable poem that would soon change her life. This poem was written by one of her troublesome students. I Am The Piece That Never Fits I am the piece that never fits. I wonder why people hate me for who I am I hear the cry of loneliness that comes from me I see my sad, strange, different self in the mirror I want someone on my side I am the piece that never fits. I pretend that words can never hurt me I feel the urge to run away from myself I touch the wet tear from my eye-rolling down my face I worry my future will be me, myself, and I I cry because I am the cheese; everyone is the mouse I am the piece that never fits. I understand that no one likes me I say that there is no place for people like me in the world I dream of a place where I actually fit in I try to make new friends, And I hope to, but still I am the piece that never fit. In time, with love, with grace, with intentional focus, by surrounding him with supportive friends and introducing him to new mentors, the little author of the poem began to fit in. And it all began with one person. One person. Today, he’s a college graduate, gainfully employed, happily married, and passionate about life. Without a doubt, he most certainly fits. If you're looking to start making a difference, certainly start at home. I also encourage you to become involved with an organization that changed my family's lives: Big Brothers Big Sisters. I recently interviewed my Little Brother Travion House on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 260. Listen to how a 10-year-old boy taught me resiliency, courage + love. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

Jun 10, 2020 • 48min
Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor Rebekah Gregory (ep. 262)
"You can't always choose the path that you walk in life but you can always choose the manner in which you walk it." - John O'Leary Rebekah Gregory is a shining example of not letting circumstances define our lives. Just feet away from 2013's Boston Marathon explosion, Rebekah was severely injured and spent the next 56 days in the hospital. Yet, she and her son Noah choose not to be left shattered and instead choose to live vibrantly. Refusing to be labeled a victim, Rebekah shares the challenges she's overcome since that life-changing moment and how in the midst of overwhelming pain, there is still hope to be found on the other side of tragedy. Her resilience, faith and courage will remind you that our best days remain in front of us. SHOW NOTES: As a child, Rebekah's biological father was an Evangelic preacher yet abusive to her + her mom, teaching her to rise above trauma for a better purpose. "Obedient preacher's daughter" mask: Rebekah learned the importance of making herself happy before she could make others happy. April 15, 2013: Just three feet away from the explosion, Rebekah never lost consciousness + remembers scanning the crowd for her 5-year-old amidst detached body parts and shrapnel from the pressure cooker bombs. "I didn't want it to be it. I knew I had not lived my life in the way that I wanted to die in." For the next 56 days after the explosion, Rebekah endured surgeries every other day to help her recover. Rebekah relied on faith and her phenomenal medical team throughout her recovery believing she is here for a bigger purpose and her support system, including the medical staff. Eighteen months later, Rebekah made the courageous decision to amputate her leg - a pivotal decision that helped her move forward. "We can spend all day talking about problems but my blessings outweigh that, and so do everyone's." Although difficult, testifying against the bomber amazingly closed a chapter + birthed a whole new perspective on the tragedy. Rebekah chose to use being an amputee as a mark of survival + began doing things she never thought possible including passing the Boston Marathon finish line with her prosthetic leg "Felicia". I want to give people hope because everyone's life blows up in their face. Rebekah's Angels provides mental health treatment to children + families that have experienced trauma. Learn more here. "There is still so much more good in the world. It is our responsibility, now more than ever, to be a part of that good." REBEKAH GREGORY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. [Hear Shawn Achor shares that what we focus on grows and it’s in the darkest times that we need optimism, gratitude and social connection the most on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 236.] 2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? I was shy + timid as a child. I wish I could go back to my treehouse, write my stories and cherish those moments alone. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My waterproof prosthetic leg Ariel because nothing sets my soul more on fire than being at the beach. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? My granddaddy David. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Ride in someone else's wake and never be the smartest person in the room. 6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Don't get caught up in the trivial stuff and really live it up. 7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Life is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Sometimes you have to go through some really horrific things but I'm always going to be waiting at the finish line and I can't wait to meet you there. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Jun 8, 2020 • 6min
There is Room on My Side for YOU. (Monday Moments ep. 261)
My friends, as tension builds, as lines get drawn, as rhetoric intensifies – I beg you to no longer view it as someone else’s problem or buy into the tired “you’re either with us or you are against us” dialogue spewed for far too long by political leaders, media pundits and social influencers. There is a more nuanced perspective required to make the change so desperately needed. Several centuries after its inception, our nation continues to wrestle with its original sin: slavery. If we are going to eradicate inequality and end the racial divide, we must first confront the system and the bigoted history that fostered it. While it’s common to see signs in yards or posts on social media, the real work entails learning about the inequalities that grew out of the old system that still directly impacts our current one. It requires improving our education system that is failing many in our urban communities; transforming our penal system that delivers harsher punishments to people of color; elevating the education and training for our police departments; and providing far greater economic opportunities for communities that for far too long have been left behind, beat down and oppressed. This is a broad stroke and just a few of the expansive systematic remedies required. This season of great unrest was not created overnight and will not be fixed overnight. It will take a collaborative approach requiring profound wisdom, resolve and grace. These systematic reforms necessary are impossible unless we determine collectively to see the dignity, worth and value of our neighbors, regardless of the color of their skin, political affiliation, gender, or life experiences. We must accept the impact of biases and renew an emphasis to wholeheartedly listen, seek to understand pains, empathize with underlying frustrations of oppressed communities and treat those from different backgrounds as absolute equals.[Click to tweet.] This important work doesn’t begin at a federal or state level, but with the reflection staring back at us in the mirror. So, which side am I on? I’m on the side that is tired of the polarization of thinking and refuses anymore to pit race against race, religion against religion, party against party, prejudice against prejudice. The side that understands we must stop sowing the seeds of hateful divisiveness. I’m on the side that is angry with the way a significant part of our population, our family, has been treated. The side that desires fundamental improvements now. I am on the side that believes respecting the dignity and value of every human life is foundationally essential for any society to truly thrive. The side that holds us accountable to supporting this truth through our actions and the side that expects others to be held accountable for their actions. I’m on the side that is profoundly grateful for the vast majority of our police officers who selflessly protect and serve those they’ve never met, who strive to keep communities safe, and who risk their lives daily for strangers. The side that believes unwaveringly that they should be respected and have the same right as anyone else to return home safely at the end of the day. I’m on the side of supporting protests demanding equality, endeavoring to both open our eyes to our privilege and our minds to recognize our implicit bias. The side that believes, even still, in the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people. This is my side. And there is room for everyone on it.

Jun 4, 2020 • 40min
Take Action Today. Be the Change. (ep. 260)
Seventeen years ago, my wife Beth + I were seeking to make a difference in the community and could think of no better organization to serve with than Big Brothers Big Sisters. Soon after, we were connected with a little boy that would change our lives. In walked a 10-year-old boy, with a huge, goofy + joyful grin named Travion House. By serving with BBBS, we thought we'd be making a difference in someone else's life. Instead, it was our lives that were profoundly changed for the better as we were taught about resiliency, courage, love + life really looked like. Today, as our communities across the United States are fighting for equality, Travion will shine a light on where we're broken, where we've been redeemed... and how we as individuals can choose to make a difference today. This is an urgent + important conversation that will inspire you to take action + be a change agent in our world. SHOW NOTES: I found someone like me. I found people that were different. Travion grew up the youngest of six with a single mom that'd work multiple jobs just to provide. Feeling alone, he struggled in school. "I did not know how to handle my hurt. I did not know how to channel the hurt. What my actions did were say what my heart could muster up to say." Any change that happens must begin with you. Gradually, Travion improved his grades and graduated high school early. He credits his success in knowing he was loved + it gave him something to live for. "I had to break the foundation in order to lay the foundation in my own life." "Though racism is here, we don't need to respond to it in the same way we did back then." You must respond well because your response will bring forth fruit. Choose wisely. In bad soil we must sow good seeds. To somebody I wanted to hate, I showed love. There are two things you can control. The uncontrollable + the controllable. If you can control it, change it. If you can't control it, find a way to get around it. Hurt people hurt people. Healed people heal people. After watching the murder of George Floyd, Travion prayed for the police officer. Start understanding. If we understand each other's hurt, we can move forward in a better direction. Great change happens one to one. Get involved with your local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter. TRAVION HOUSE'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? The Bible + Overwhelming Odds by Susan and Denny O'Leary. [If you're financially unable to afford a copy of Overwhelming Odds, send an email to Podcast@JohnOLearyInspires.com] 2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Looking past things. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? Sometimes in saving one you can save all. I'd grab her by the hand and tell everyone to grab each other's hand. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? The First Lady in the church I grew up in. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Release it and let go. 6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Pace yourself. 7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? A process worth going through. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

Jun 1, 2020 • 5min
I Won't Be Silent Anymore (Monday Moments ep. 259)
Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments. “A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true.” - Martin Luther King, Jr My friends, our very lives begin to end the moment we stay silent about things that matter. The only way we begin to achieve true inclusion, diversity and justice is by taking a stand against what remains an utterly broken system for so many; to see with new eyes what we’ve far too long chosen to ignore; and to raise our voice boldly, courageously, loudly against hatred - ALL hatred - spewed from both sides of disagreements. Yes, even when it means losing advantages we’ve enjoyed or status we’ve been given because of it. We do this important, life-giving work one person, one conversation, and one action at a time. We do it when we seek to understand and not simply judge. We do it when we step in with love rather than slump indifferently away in fear. This isn’t just the job of protesters, politicians, or police departments. It’s our job. And it’s time to go to work. Because a man can live when we begin to stand up for that which is right. A man can live when we choose to stand up for justice. And a man can live when we choose to take a stand for that which is true. I was silent years ago. I won’t be anymore. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

May 28, 2020 • 59min
Katherine + Jay Wolf: Finding Joy While Suffering (ep. 258)
Does your life look different than you imagined it would? In 2008, Katherine + Jay Wolf were newlyweds and parents to their six-month-old son when the unimaginable happened. Just 26 years old, Katherine suffered a massive brainstem stroke. After a rare, life-saving surgery, Katherine spent nearly two months in a coma-like state. With her faithful husband Jay by her side, Katherine had to relearn how to breathe, talk, eat... and eventually thrive. While no one wants terrible pain or unbearable tragedy, this couple is a tremendous example of finding hope in the midst of the storm. Today, Katherine + Jay Wolf remind us that suffering isn’t the end of our story, but the beginning of a new story. SHOW NOTES: At 22, Katherine + Jay tied the knot in an unusually perfect November day in Georgia before seeking adventure together in California. April 21, 2008: When their first child was just 6 months old, Katherine suffers massive brain stem stroke without any warning and does not wake up from a coma-like state for almost 2.5 months. As a stroke survivor, it was the brave surgeon who performed a meticulous 16-hour surgery that gave Katherine the ability to sustain life, in spite of some disabilities. Every year, they celebrate April 22 as Katherine's second birthday. "I can't eat. I can't walk. I can't take care of my son. I can't do anything. I'm a mistake and I should not even be here." - Katherine Wolf after failing her ninth swallow test. Our lives are all stories that have many chapters and much complexity. Fully live into the story we have, not the one we wish we had. Jay credits faith + community to lift them up in healing + beyond to flourishment. "It was a surreal vision, a waking dream, a stark reminder that perhaps in the breaking of precious things, something even more precious than we can imagine might be unleashed. Perhaps in the breaking, we can find the healing we long for." Live Inspired community member Therese asked: how do you cope with the uncertainty/fear of the future and what your health holds? Live Inspired community member Robbie asked: What advice would you give healthcare professionals - specifically those who work in the rehabilitation field? Since they credit neurosurgeon, Dr. Nestor Gonzalez, in saving Katherine's life three times, they named their second son after him. Get a copy of Katherine + Jay's latest book Suffer Strong. Learn more about Katherine + Jay's story here. KATHERINE + JAY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? Katherine: Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. 2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Jay: Music + childhood rhythms. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? A phone or iPad that has our photos... Google Cloud! 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? Jay: Mother Teresa. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Katherine: When I was relearning how to walk, my father-in-law would say, "You just have to win. Do whatever is necessary." 6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Jay: Enjoy that flexibility while it lasts. 7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Katherine: Joyfully rebelling against how our world, our culture, views health and success; Jay: He gave his life and unstoppable goodwill towards people in need and people he loved. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.

May 25, 2020 • 5min
A Veteran Asks "What More Can I Do?" (Monday Moments ep. 257)
Join me every Monday for a quick burst of inspiration on our “Monday Moment” segments. Have you noticed it is frequently the people who say the least about themselves who have the most incredible stories to share? On this Memorial Day holiday I wanted to share one such example of a heroic, humble servant who never needed to tell you how great he was. In a world where we too frequently celebrate people based on their physical beauty, social following or professional successes, Bill Skinner reminds us what a true hero looks and acts like. [Click to tweet.] Today, make sure that the humility, sacrifice, life and death of these heroes continue to shine brightly through the lives of those of us lucky enough to live on. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy this episode? Subscribe, rate & review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram+ get his Monday Motivation email.

May 21, 2020 • 50min
Shannon Miller: One of America's Most Decorated Gymnasts (ep. 256)
Shannon Miller is widely recognized as one of the iconic gymnasts of USA's Magnificent Seven 1996 Olympic team. Two decades later, she remains as one of the most decorated American gymnast in history. Yet, even the greatest of champions face uncontrollable factors -- like a rare cancer diagnosis. Today, this mother of two, author, sought-after speaker + survivor shares some of her contagious focus + determination. You'll learn her perspective on some of the most memorable moments of her gymnastics career, her devotion to advocating for women's health + how she empowers others to breakthrough personal challenges. SHOW NOTES: "I didn't realize training 6-7 hours a day wasn't normal." - Shannon on growing up in Oklahoma. Shannon credits her parents in keeping her balanced + humbled while training. At 9-years-old, Shannon idolized the older gymnasts she trained alongside before learning about Mary Lou Retton and Nadia Comăneci. "I was never one of those kids that thought 'I want to be an Olympic gold medalist.' It was always about making it to the next step. I had an important focus on what do I do today to get there." As long as you're willing to work hard, anything is possible. Just weeks away from the 1992 Olympic Trials, Shannon broke + dislocated her left elbow after a potential career-ending mistake. Instead of giving up, she focused forward + became a more well-rounded + driven athlete than before. Instead of allowing the pressure to overwhelm 15-year-old Shannon at the 1992 Olympics, she changed the narrative in her mind to use the crowd + circumstances at supportive motivation. Shannon earned two silver and three bronze medals at the 1992 Summer Olympics, securing the record for most medals won at a single Olympic Games without winning gold. Although Shannon missed out on an all-around gold medal by the closest margin in Olympic history, finishing 0.012 points shy, she only sees the positive in the accomplishment. "It's not about the medals. You give 100% + do your best." "There is no Olympic medalist that stands up on that podium alone. You don't get there by yourself." Shannon credits her not only her fellow gymnasts but the broader team of parents, coaches, physicians, teachers and community in her success. During the 1996 Olympics, Shannon was part of Magnificent Seven, recognized for their camaraderie, enthusiasm, spark + unlikely triumph in winning the first team Olympic gold medal for USA gymnastics. At 19-years-old, Shannon retired from competitive gymnastics to focus on her education. In February 2011, Shannon was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer motivating her focus on the importance of health. Live Inspired community member Jody F. asked Shannon: When was your darkest time + what would you tell someone listening trying to come back to the light? SHANNON MILLER'S LIVE INSPIRED 7 1. What is the best book you’ve ever read? I'm an avid reader so I can't commit to just one. 2. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today? Focus. As a child, I was able to focus on two things: school + gymnastics. As an adult, we're pulled in a million directions, every minute, every day. 3. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be? My computer for my photos, but that's backed up. There is nothing worth going back into a burning house to get. 4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be? My husband. 5. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Focus your energy. Today my goal is to help one woman focus on her health. 6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Ride the wave. Life will give you ups and downs. Hold on tight and keep going. 7. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read? Shannon Miller is someone who focused on faith, family and doing her very best each day. *** My new book IN AWE is now available... and became an instant bestseller! Learn how to rediscover your childlike sense of wonder to unleash inspiration, meaning and joy. Visit ReadInAwe.com today! *** Did you enjoy today's episode? Share it with your friends! Then subscribe, rate + review on Apple Podcasts. Live Inspired with John daily on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram + get his Monday Motivation email.