Presence During Hardship Defines Your Legacy featuring John O'Leary

In this deeply moving and perspective-shifting episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with John O'Leary, a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and burn survivor whose life is a testament to the power of resilience, hope, and radical love. At age nine, John suffered severe burns across 100% of his body. He wasn't supposed to live. But not only did he survive—he became one of the most impactful voices inspiring people to live fully, love deeply, and lead fearlessly.

 

John and I talk about what truly matters in life, the legacy we leave through small, consistent acts of presence, and how pain—when faced with faith and courage—can become the very tool that transforms us into the fathers and husbands we were meant to be. This isn't just an episode about overcoming—it's about becoming.

 

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:45] – The moment that changed John's life forever

[4:18] – How his parents showed up during trauma and why it shaped him

[7:32] – The role of forgiveness in healing deep wounds

[10:06] – Why pain isn't the enemy—but a bridge to deeper purpose

[13:14] – John's perspective on legacy and the value of being there

[17:05] – The power of small, consistent actions over grand gestures

[21:38] – Loving your spouse through service and sacrifice

[25:12] – Raising kids who are resilient, grateful, and grounded

[28:59] – The single most powerful lesson John learned from his father

[32:30] – A challenge for every dad listening: What are you really living for?

 

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5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

 

1. Pain Can Be a Catalyst, Not a Curse: John's story proves that life's most devastating moments can forge our deepest character and call us to higher purpose if we choose to face them with courage.
2. Legacy Is Built in Presence, Not Perfection: His parents' unwavering presence—especially during trauma—taught him that how we show up in the hardest times says everything about who we are.
3. Love Is Action, Not Just Intention: Whether it's in marriage or parenting, love must be expressed through service, sacrifice, and consistency—not just feelings or words.
4. Our Kids Learn More from Observation Than Instruction: John learned resilience, discipline, and deep love not by being told what to do, but by watching how his parents lived during the toughest seasons.
5. You Were Meant to Live Fully, Not Just Survive: Every dad has the opportunity—and responsibility—to stop sleepwalking through life and start leading intentionally with love, clarity, and vision.

 

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LINKS & RESOURCES

 

• Learn more about John O'Leary – https://johnolearyinspires.com
• 25 Questions to Spark Connection – https://thedadedge.com/25questions
• More Podcast Episodes – https://thedadedge.com/podcast
• The Dad Edge Boardroom Mastermind - thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Shownotes for this episode: thedadedge.com/1397

 

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Live legendary.