Motivational speakers have the power to change people and even entire communities. They push us, set us on fire, and propel us to achieve actual, lasting change. In an age of instant global connection and cyber age expectation, the words of motivational speakers have never reverberated so loudly. He’s a motivational speaker, resilience and empowerment coach, published author, pro magician, and he brings it all together in one powerful mission: to inspire people to find their strength and the power of being Unique.
From Darkness to Determination
Twenty years ago, John experienced the unthinkable. When surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma, a benign brain tumor, left him with facial paralysis and single-sided deafness – each alteration deeply upending – he experienced it as devastating. Now, an extrovert who was once lively, he says he suddenly shrunk into a shell of himself. For more than 12 years, he shunned mirrors, photographs and big social events, believing that his appearance obscured the real him. It wasn’t just that he was hiding – it was that he was disappearing to not be seen in a shape he didn’t recognize.
While he survived physically, the emotional toll was overwhelming. He buried himself in his ITsupport business, distracting himself with tasks and technology. When he finally ventured out, it was only around trusted friends who could process – but even they had to turn away, as John refused to be photographed. He was a ghost in his life, unseen and unloved.
But in that darkness, one bright spark still lit – a childhood love for magic.
Rediscovering Magic And the Magic Within
John’s return to magic was quiet but seismic. He began to practice sleight of hand once more, tentatively. And then, one night, he played in a semiprofessional poker room in the area, where no one cared what his face looked like. There, in that room, there were strangers who were interested in cards and chips, not him. They focused on his skills, not his look, inspired something deep inside of him. Then he realized he had hidden his talent as well as his face.
Increasingly, John delighted as his magic tricks brought joy to spectators. Audiences erupted in applause, grinned from ear to ear, and even released gasps of surprise – sending thrills up his spine. The more performances he gave, the more onlookers admired his skills, glimpsing past limitations to see his passion and skill with storytelling flourish.
Before long, pitying looks transformed into looks of pure respect. Females left episodes clutching his arm in thanks; youths were moved to tears and wide-eyed wonder. He started to feel he was characterized not by impediments but by his heart and talents. His personal mantra emerged naturally: “Being Different is Your Superpower.”
Building a Resonant Message
Magic was only John’s first challenge with speaking. He’d learned a lesson in narrative from it too: vulnerability and honesty woven into powerful presentations. That same enlightenment laid the groundwork for his public message since then.
Now John combines storytelling, magic, and coaching into a cohesive package as a public speaker. For him, the stage – whether it be at TEDx events, your high school gym, or a company conference – is one long message that is immersive: resilience means not just living through tough times but emerging stronger each time around. His stories show us how challenge and creativity meet, how the fears we avoid become the forces that open us up to change our lives for the better.
John’s TED Talk, which has now been seen over a million times, speaks across both cultures and languages, letting people the world over know that they are not alone and that their scars can be a symbol of their strength. His words to an 800-person audience turned the energy of the room – audience members rose up and tens of hundreds came to him afterwards with their own tales of hidden pain, sparked hope and determined action. Plain was the power of his words: when one man stopped hiding it, he gave us all permission to step into light and possibility.
Playing the Hand That You Are Dealt
For many, magic and motivational speaking are two separate pursuits. For John, though, they converge in his recently released and now best selling memoir, Playing the Hand That You Are Dealt. This motivational memoir is part personal history, part practical guide, all infused with humor and heartfelt lessons.
Jamie Lee Curtis, a dear friend and absolute cheerleader, has written the foreword to the book. That alone signifies the depth of connection he builds with people. Through a tapestry of entertaining stories – ranging from poker-room triumphs to moments of stark vulnerability – John offers readers one guiding principle: your life might deal you a tough hand, but how you choose to play it is everything.
His intentions are plain with this book: to uplift the lonely in their pain, to prod readers to pursue authenticity over facade, and to reinforce that bravery doesn’t demand a larger-than-life scenario; it merely requires regular choices of transparency, empathy, and openness.
Coaching From the Heart
The life behind-the-scenes with resilience and empowerment coaching is just as foundational as his public life as a stage star. From the one-on-one work side, he tries to follow a core philosophy: people do not need to get answers from him-they already lie inside the people themselves. His job is to facilitate discovery through purposeful listening, provocative questions and unwavering belief in every person’s capacity.
The life behind-the-scenes with life and success coaching is just as foundational as his public life as a stage star. From the one-on-one work side, he tries to follow a core philosophy: people do not need to get answers from him-they already lie inside the people themselves. His job is to facilitate discovery through purposeful listening, provocative questions and unwavering belief in every person’s capacity.
It is a framework refined not inside textbooks but in hospital rooms and company offices. John had supported individuals through health crises, career pivots, and emotional breakdowns. One remarkable moment found him performing for Alex Trebek on the occasion of the famous host’s 75th birthday-a heartfelt celebration where artistry, meaning, and mutual respect intertwined. These coaching and performance highlights mark an ongoing footprint of impact.
Connecting With Teens and Educators
John himself brings a potent level of resonance for his teens as he has been bullied, nearly socially withdrawn into oblivion, and has undergone brain surgery. He recalls all too well what it felt like to sit on the sidelines. Now he works to bring teens to the center of their own stories. John’s school shows are scenario-driven, fast-paced, magical, heartfelt performances that challenge students to think unconventionally, take giant leaps of bravery, and celebrate themselves.
His message hits deep with the insecurities that plague young people every single day: What does it mean to fit in? Where do I belong? How can I be strong when I feel broken? His answers come from his life: his broken face did not make him less; if anything, it made him more.
Teachers benefit from John also. He reminds teachers of their quiet power: A teacher simply saying “You can do it” changed his life path. John equips educators with tools and stories to rekindle their sense of purpose, motivate their creativity, and foster reconnection on an emotional level. This cocktail of motivational narrative and classroom methodology leaves educators rejuvenated and eager to approach their students in fresh, more courageous ways.
Defining True Success
Success is never seen in awards or followers; real success is the impact upon changed lives. For John, it is a hug after a performance, an email from a desperate client saying “you changed my life,” or the shedding of a release tear that will always mean so much more than any trophy and paychecks.
He often thinks of his performance for Alex Trebek: “I was able to bring magic to someone I deeply admired,” he recalls. “It wasn’t for fame – it was about human connection. “That night, of course, the meaningful moments weren’t the applause-they were the quiet ones that signaled acknowledgment, recognition, and renewed hope.”
He summarizes this principle simply: Happiness is a choice. Not because every day is easy but because we can choose how to view it. Choosing hope is not ignoring pain-it’s seeing the pain and saying, ‘You’re not going to determine my future.’ Our response to adversity is who we are; not the adversity itself.
On the Global Stage
Looking toward the future, John wishes to extent his reach. Book and video programs will travel worldwide. Live workshops will transcend local settings and enter into wider circuits-universities, conferences, corporate retreats, and international events. His stage time is already far-reaching, with his coaching practice aiming to touch many more lives in many more parts of the world.
Basically, John believes that he is called, not anointed. He goes beyond what he does for a living with why he does it: giving power to others to be in their own light, to claim their worth, and to live courageously.
One message is stuck there, no matter if he is coaching a CEO, bringing entertainment to an event, or speaking to a bunch of teenagers in high school: “If John can, so can you.”
To know more about John, visit the website https://johnkippen.com
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