APRIL
JAKE
Motivational Speaker.
Disability Advocate.
Truth Teller.
Hi, I’m Jake!
I’m a TEDx speaker, writer, master’s graduate, and an award-winning professional with experience across multiple industries—including my time commentating for the New York Islanders.
I’ve contributed poetry to several best-selling books, and I’m passionate about sports, skiing, and the power of perseverance. Oh, and I also have cerebral palsy! It’s a part of my story that has shaped my resilience, independence, and drive.
I’m on a mission to chronicle the moments that define us—not just through sports, but through life. We all face challenges, triumphs, and turning points, and I’m committed to living my truth as a way of inspiring you to live yours. By sharing my own journey toward independence with Cerebral Palsy, I hope to encourage people of all walks of life to push past their perceived limits and achieve greatness.
Watch Jake’s TEDx talk (video coming soon!)
The Stories
Overcoming First Impressions
In my TEDx talk, I explore the universal truth that first impressions aren’t always accurate—and rarely tell the whole story. Drawing from my experience growing up with cerebral palsy, I share how people’s assumptions shaped my early years, and how I learned to define myself beyond what others see. With honesty, empathy, and humor, I invite the audience to consider that in every challenge lies an opportunity.
Finding Your Path
One of the audiences I feel most passionate about speaking to is students of all ages. From motivating high school students to inspiring college students, I encourage today’s youth to follow their interests, trust their instincts, and create the path that feels right for them. Together, we explore why we shouldn’t let our challenges hold us back. Real growth begins when we stop defining ourselves by what we can’t do and start seeing our passions as possibilities.
My Playbook for Possibility
My Playbook for Possibility breaks down the habits that helped me beat the odds. From managing your time and owning your needs to taking feedback and getting real with yourself, this talk centers self-awareness, truth-telling, and personal accountability. It’s a simple, powerful guide to becoming your own coach and building a life you believe in.
The Power of Letting Go
Through stories from my childhood with cerebral palsy, and what I’ve accomplished independently as an adult living on my own despite the barriers I’ve faced, I show parents what can happen when we stop letting fear determine what our kids can do. From navigating transition programs and getting into college to learning how to live on my own, I walk you through how the freedom to fall was what helped me fly. You’ll walk away with a renewed belief that your kids are stronger, braver, and more capable than you may realize.
If any of these themes inspire you,
I’d love to share them with your community.
“Take the first step, even if it’s a wobbly one.”
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