A few weeks ago Dennis and I had the honor to preview the movie, “Soul On Fire,” which comes out in theaters across the nation on October 10, 2025.
In past blogs, I have told you about my friend and inspirational speaker, John O’Leary. When John was 9 years old, he burned 100% of his body playing with matches and gasoline. He also caused his family’s home to catch on fire. John had less than a 1% chance of surviving the night of the accident.
Obviously, since I said he was a friend of mine, he survived. However, he is scarred and had to have his fingers amputated. Thanks to his amazing parents and Jack Buck, the then announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, John was motivated to do all he could to to recover. Not only did he recover, he thrived.
He never intended to have his story told. He was not happy when his parents wrote a book about his “accident.” He just wanted to be “normal” like everyone else. I suppose he didn’t realize back then that none of us are truly normal—we all have something special about ourselves.
He was asked to speak to a small group of girl scouts, and he was totally panicked about this meeting—so panicked that he threw up before he went in to speak. Such a difference in the man who now speaks in front of thousands of people inspiring them to do good, and that the best is yet to come.
When I met John, he was speaking to small audiences. I don’t think there was even 30 people in attendance the day I heard him. His message touched my heart. After the meeting, he and I had a brief chat when he asked me what I would do to be like Jack, referring to Jack Buck. Jack Buck didn’t think he did anything very big for John, but what he did made a huge impact in John’s life.
After that meeting, I signed up for coaching through John’s website. The focus of his business has changed since then. Although John was not my coach, he stayed on top of what was happening with his clients. Several months later, I was asked if I wanted to help out in a business leadership meeting John was conducting in St. Louis. In that meeting he walked us through writing our own vision statement and personal ignition (mission) statement. He told us to find a personal board of directors, a group of friends or colleagues who we would be accountable to while we worked to fulfill our personal mission, whatever that may be. He told us not to be afraid to ask someone. Don’t assume they are too busy. If they are, they will say so. My board of directors consisted of some friends, some business colleagues, and John O’Leary! For one year he and the others received a weekly report on how I was working to live my purpose knowing the best was yet to come.
At that time, I was on the board for the St. Louis Affiliate of the National Human Resources Association, of which I was later president. Because of my affiliation with John, in 2011 he was willing to come to our small meeting of about 100 HR professionals to share his story. A couple years later I wanted my granddaughter to hear him (she was a teenager at the time)., and her cousin who was going through some challenges. John was going to speak at this children’s school, and he got permission for my husband, granddaughter, her cousin and aunt, and me to come to the school and hear him speak.
A few years later, Dennis and I attended his book release party for his first book “On Fire.” He played the piano for the audience. What an event that was, and who knew how this book would inspire someone to ask his permission to write a screenplay.
Now 15 years since I met John, Sony Pictures is distributing a movie about John’s life. John has always said that there is not just one hero in his story. Yes, he survived and thrived, but so many people were instrumental in his recovery, from his doctors and nurses, his brother and sisters, his mom and dad, and of course, Jack Buck.
Let me tell you a bit about this movie. It is directed by Shawn McNamara, who directed movies like “Soul Surfer” and “Reagan.” The movie was filmed entirely in St. Louis, Missouri, where all of this story happened. Not only that, the family home, that had burned and rebuilt, is the house they use in the movie. Who does that? There are so many little touches in the movie like that. As John said, this movie is also a love story to St. Louis, Missouri.
Joel Courtney plays the older John O’Leary. In the movie, it was fun to see the “Screen John O’Leary” receiving his diploma from St. Louis University from the professor, cameo of the “Real John O’Leary.”
Actually for me, watching this movie was like “Where’s Waldo?” After the graduation ceremony the camera goes to the “Screen John” who walks up to his proud family, and “Screen Mom” played by Stephanie Szostak, and standing next her is “Real Mom.” How sweet is that for those who know this family. I loved how well Stephanie Szostak played John’s mom. Her mother’s heart shown throughout this movie. So loving and convincing. These are just a couple things among many others made a delightful view for me.
John’s dad is played by John Corbett. He played the boyfriend/groom in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” among many other movies and television shows. He plays this kind man (Denny O’Leary) who loves his son unconditionally and to see the “Screen Denny O’Leary” play this kind man was heartwarming. John’s dad recently died from Parkinson’s disease which he had for 30+ years. Shortly before Denny O’Leary passed away, John and his family were able to watch a prerelease screening of the movie.
“Soul On Fire” is full of so many heroes. It’s a story of a young boy who faced unthinkable odds, and not only survived but thrived. It shows his college years where he just wanted to be “normal” and became the party animal that he really wasn’t. Thank goodness “Real John” met and married “Real Beth.” He didn’t need to be anyone but himself with her. Although I have never met the “Real Beth,” the “Screen Beth” came across to me as exactly how John describes his wife.
There are so many heart warming themes within this movie and outside of the movie, such as the cameos that John’s family is in or actually using his parents real home (the one that burned) in the movie. What an adventure for them. All the actors got to meet the family members they portrayed. How special that must have been for all of them.
I don’t want to forget to mention the musical theme to this movie. I was surprised and the end of the movie to hear the group, Third Day, sing the song “Soul On Fire.” I’ve known this group for a long time. My favorite song they recorded is “Cry Out to Jesus.” Every time I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes because I know these heartbreaks the lyrics talk about. Unfortunately, I cannot embed this YouTube video of the song, so the best I can do is share some of the lyrics.
This movie is rated PG. It can be seen by grade school children as well as teens, and adults of all ages as well. There is something for everyone in this story.
I have learned that when tragedy hits a family, it can either make them or break them. In the O’Leary family, it made them stronger in their faith and in their love for one another and for those they meet on a daily basis.
I highly recommend you get your tickets. After watching this movie, please come back to this post and comment on what you thought of the movie.
Click here to find the movie in your area and purchase your tickets. Invite your friends, family, church group, and anyone who you think to join you in viewing this incredible story.
Andrea Unsinkable 