My name is Andrew O'Brien. I was born into a hard life, my mother was a prostitute and stripper who told me I ruined her life on a daily basis. She was recently convicted of murder and is serving 60 years in prison, and I had to testify against her in court. I also served in the military and experience hard times in Iraq as a lead gunner. I speak about my past and how I had to overcome it, while almost losing my battle to suicide. I speak about not surviving in life, but thriving in it. How I am now successful and it's thanks to the hardships I faced in my life. At 26 years old I'm very financially stable, own a home on 5 acres of land and have a great little family of my own.
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Languages: English
Gig length: 45 - 90 minutes
You will leave my speech effected in some way. I have been doing this for years, and have not had any negative responses. You will leave motivated and ready to face the obstacles in front of you with a whole new perspective. If you have demons that need to be faced, you will be ready to face them after hearing me. I am also not just the person who speaks and walks away. I hang around afterwards to do a meet and greet with who ever wants to meet me. That's my favorite part of my job!
My name is Andrew O'Brien, I am 26 years old and was born into war. My life was always a struggle to survive. Being born to a prostitute mother who used and chewed up men yearly, having multiple "fathers" a year. A woman who constantly told me I would not succeed in life, and her life was miserable because she had me. I then joined the US Military in 2007 and served 12 months in Iraq during my 4 year term in the Army. During my deployment I was a lead gunner, my job was to get everyone home safe. I faced many struggles during my deployment as well.
After returning home from my deployment I was forced to face all of my demons. The ones from my childhood and my military service. I tried many ways to succeed but constantly failed. It was in November of 2010 that I attempted to take my own life, after feeling as though there was no more hope for me in this life. I woke up in the ICU 2 days later, and that's when my life changed.
After almost losing my life, I realized how precious it was. I then moved on to just learning how to survive in life, but that wasn't enough for me. I figured there had to be more than just surviving. That is when I took control of my life, and learned how to turn every negative aspect in my life into a positive. I am now 26 years old and am very financially stable, own a home on 5 acres of land with a wife and 2 beautiful children. I have also authored 2 books, one is "Welcoming Your Soldier Home" and the second is "Surviving Suicide: A Veterans Memoir".
Recently I was forced to testify against my mother for murder in court. She is known as the "Black Widow" in the media, and was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison. This was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but I use this story to explain to my audience that life will constantly throw things your way, but it's up to you if you let it win. Life will fight you at times, all you have to do is fight back. You are strong enough to win!
I use my story to motivate all types of people. Speaking to colleges, military bases, businesses and business owners. Teaching people to stop "surviving" and start "thriving"! Life is too short to be safe and hate what you do. I do multiple types of speeches specializing in Suicide Prevention and Motivational speaking. If at my age I can do it, after all that I've faced in my life... I know that the people in my audience can do it as well.
I have been featured on over 50 media channels, to include 48 hours, Al Jazeera America, Huffington Post, 20/20 and many more!
I like to have a microphone and projector with screen. I do not do power points, but do like to have pictures up in the background.
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Hearing about suicides in our nation is what motivated me to be a speaker. They are increasing annually. Knowing that I can change someone's life in a positive way is what influenced me. Also, my children being able to be proud of what their father does. When you die, the numbers in your bank account mean nothing... but the footprints you leave in this world and in your children means everything!
Microphone
Motivational Speaker
