He Shouldn’t Have Lived — Here’s Why He Did, John O’Leary, Soul On Fire
Wed Feb 04 2026
In this episode, I sit down with John O’Leary, bestselling author, speaker, and living proof that hope can survive even the most unimaginable circumstances.
At nine years old, John was burned over 100% of his body in a tragic accident. Doctors didn’t expect him to live — and if he did, they believed his life would be deeply limited. What changed everything wasn’t just medicine or time. It was people.
One of those people was Jack Buck — a Hall of Fame broadcaster who took a moment to believe in a little boy when it mattered most. That belief didn’t just comfort John. It reshaped the trajectory of his life.
In this conversation, we talk about:
• The power of borrowed belief
• Why one person seeing you can change everything
• The quiet mentors who save us without knowing it
• What it means to live “on fire,” even after unimaginable pain
John’s story is a reminder that none of us get through life alone — and that chances are, you’ve had a Jack Buck too. Someone who spoke life into you before you knew how to speak it into yourself.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever survived something hard, felt unseen, or needed hope to hold onto — even when it felt impossible.
🎧 New episode out tomorrow.
📺 Be sure to watch Soul on Fire on Netflix for more of John’s incredible story.
For More Of Ry-
@rylinrosee for personal updates, life, outfits, and words.@takecarebyry which is associated with her wellness brand.Podcast: She hosts the global wellness podcast Take Care of Your Body by Ry, which is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Books: Her published books, Once Upon a Time, I Survived Myself and Everything Was Here But You february 9, are available for purchase online: On Amazon, barnes and noble.com, and walmart.
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In this episode, I sit down with John O’Leary, bestselling author, speaker, and living proof that hope can survive even the most unimaginable circumstances. At nine years old, John was burned over 100% of his body in a tragic accident. Doctors didn’t expect him to live — and if he did, they believed his life would be deeply limited. What changed everything wasn’t just medicine or time. It was people. One of those people was Jack Buck — a Hall of Fame broadcaster who took a moment to believe in a little boy when it mattered most. That belief didn’t just comfort John. It reshaped the trajectory of his life. In this conversation, we talk about: • The power of borrowed belief • Why one person seeing you can change everything • The quiet mentors who save us without knowing it • What it means to live “on fire,” even after unimaginable pain John’s story is a reminder that none of us get through life alone — and that chances are, you’ve had a Jack Buck too. Someone who spoke life into you before you knew how to speak it into yourself. This episode is for anyone who’s ever survived something hard, felt unseen, or needed hope to hold onto — even when it felt impossible. 🎧 New episode out tomorrow. 📺 Be sure to watch Soul on Fire on Netflix for more of John’s incredible story. For More Of Ry- @rylinrosee for personal updates, life, outfits, and words.@takecarebyry which is associated with her wellness brand.Podcast: She hosts the global wellness podcast Take Care of Your Body by Ry, which is available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Books: Her published books, Once Upon a Time, I Survived Myself and Everything Was Here But You february 9, are available for purchase online: On Amazon, barnes and noble.com, and walmart.