**Stay Grizzly Motivation** delivers authentic, inspiring virtual talks about overcoming adversity, resilience, and turning setbacks into comebacks. James "Grizzly" Jones shares real experiences of battling serious health challenges, mental struggles, and life's unexpected obstacles with honesty, humor, and hope. Audiences connect with his genuine approach because he doesn't just talk about perseverance, he has lived it. Whether speaking to schools, churches, businesses, or community groups, James leaves people encouraged, motivated, and ready to keep moving forward no matter what life throws their way.
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Write a reviewPrice range: $75 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 45 - 120 minutes
## What to Expect
If you invite me to speak, you're not just getting a story about weight loss—you're getting a story about resilience, faith, overcoming addiction, and rebuilding a life when giving up would have been easier.
At this time, I am exclusively available for virtual speaking engagements as I continue my rehabilitation journey. While I'm still rebuilding my health, I believe some of the most powerful stories are told from the middle of the battle, not after it's over.
Audiences can expect an honest, authentic, and relatable experience. I openly share my struggles with food addiction, the constant battle with "food noise," reaching 911 pounds, and how severe obesity and lymphedema nearly took away my future. More importantly, I share how hope, faith, and perseverance helped me begin taking my life back.
Having lost over 250 pounds and continuing to rebuild my body and strength, I speak from experience—not perfection. My message is motivational, heartfelt, and often sprinkled with humor because I believe healing doesn't mean losing your ability to smile.
Whether speaking to churches, schools, healthcare organizations, support groups, businesses, or podcasts, my goal is simple: to help people understand that no matter how impossible life may seem, change is possible.
Audiences can expect:
• An authentic and uplifting message of hope.
• Real conversations about food addiction, obesity, and overcoming shame.
• Lessons on perseverance, accountability, and rebuilding your life.
• Encouragement for anyone facing setbacks, depression, addiction, or self-doubt.
• A reminder that it's never too late to start over.
Most importantly, people will see someone who isn't speaking from the finish line, but from the middle of the journey. I'm still fighting. I'm still healing. And I'm still writing my story.
If my story helps just one person believe in themselves again, then every challenge I've faced has been worth it.
**Currently accepting virtual speaking engagements only.**
My name is James Jones, and I'm living proof that no matter how dark life gets, your story isn't over.
For years, I fought a battle that many people couldn't see. Food became more than something I enjoyed—it became my comfort, my escape, and my crutch. The food noise was loud, and I leaned on food to deal with pain, disappointment, stress, and the doubts I had about myself. There were times when I honestly didn't believe I could change, and I wondered if I had gone too far to ever get my life back.
As my health declined, lymphedema, limited mobility, and severe obesity began taking over my life. Eventually, I reached 911 pounds. Looking back, I know I was hurting physically, mentally, and emotionally. There were moments when I felt defeated and ashamed. I questioned my worth, and I questioned whether I would ever be able to live the life I dreamed of.
But God wasn't finished with me.
During one of the most difficult seasons of my life, I found myself in a hospital bed. What could have been the end of my story became the beginning of a new one. Slowly, with faith, determination, and the support of those who loved me, I began rebuilding—not just my body, but my mind and my spirit.
Today, I'm still on that journey. I'm not writing this from the finish line. I'm writing this while I'm still running the race. I've gone from 911 pounds to 654 pounds, and I'm still dropping. My body is rebuilding. My strength is returning. And every pound I've lost represents hope, discipline, healing, and another chance at life.
I've learned that progress isn't about perfection. It's about refusing to quit.
I want to share my journey because I know there are people out there who feel stuck, ashamed, or hopeless. If that's you, I want you to know something: your worst chapter doesn't have to be your last chapter. You are not disqualified by your mistakes, your addiction, or your circumstances.
I'm still writing my story.
And if my journey can inspire just one person to believe in themselves again, then every battle I've fought has been worth it.
Stay Grizzly.
Keep fighting.
And never stop believing that your comeback is possible.
## Notes and Technical Information
**Current Availability**
I am currently available for **virtual speaking engagements only** as I continue my rehabilitation journey. I am happy to participate in keynote presentations, interviews, podcasts, webinars, panel discussions, church events, healthcare conferences, support groups, and corporate wellness programs.
### Presentation Format
* Virtual presentations via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or similar platforms.
* Speaking sessions typically range from 30–60 minutes, with optional Q&A sessions.
* Available for live or prerecorded appearances.
* Flexible scheduling with advance notice.
### Topics I Speak About
* Overcoming adversity and rebuilding your life.
* Food addiction and managing the "food noise."
* Living with obesity and lymphedema.
* Faith, perseverance, and hope during difficult seasons.
* Mental and emotional resilience.
* Personal accountability and lasting change.
* Reinventing yourself and pursuing dreams regardless of age or circumstances.
* Finding purpose in pain and learning to believe in yourself again.
### Technical Requirements
**Internet**
* Stable internet connection for uninterrupted audio and video.
**Platform**
* Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Riverside, StreamYard, or similar platforms.
**Audio**
* Clear microphone and speaker setup preferred.
* Host should provide instructions and access information prior to the event.
**Video**
* HD webcam preferred.
* Well-lit environment for virtual presentations.
**Presentation Materials**
* Slide presentations available upon request.
* Open to interviews and conversational formats.
* Audience Q&A encouraged.
### Audience Types
* Churches and faith-based organizations.
* Healthcare and wellness organizations.
* Schools and universities.
* Support groups and recovery communities.
* Corporate teams and leadership events.
* Podcasts and media appearances.
* Community organizations and nonprofits.
### Speaker Style
My speaking style is authentic, motivational, and conversational. I share real experiences with honesty, humility, humor, and hope. I believe people connect with stories, not perfection, and my goal is for audiences to leave encouraged, inspired, and reminded that no matter where they are today, their story isn't over.
**Virtual engagements only at this time. In-person appearances may become available as my rehabilitation journey progresses.**
## Influences
My journey has been inspired by people who refused to let addiction, obesity, or life's hardships define them. Their stories remind me that change is possible and that no one is too far gone to reclaim their life.
Some of the people who have influenced me include:
• David Goggins – Overcame obesity, self-doubt, and a difficult childhood to become one of the world's most respected endurance athletes and motivational speakers.
• Drew Carey – Lost over 100 pounds and transformed his life through discipline and healthier habits.
• Ethan Suplee – Lost hundreds of pounds after years of struggling with weight and has openly shared his journey to help others.
• Richard Simmons – Dedicated his life to encouraging people battling obesity to believe in themselves and pursue healthier lives.
• Chris Pratt – Reinvented his health and career through commitment and consistency.
• Robert Downey Jr. – Overcame addiction and rebuilt both his life and career, becoming an example that recovery and redemption are possible.
• Demi Lovato – Has openly discussed battles with addiction, mental health, and recovery while using her platform to help others.
• Elton John – Overcame substance addiction and used his second chance to create a life dedicated to music and philanthropy.
• Russell Brand – Transformed his life after addiction and now speaks openly about recovery and personal growth.
• Dwayne Johnson – Though not battling addiction, his message of discipline, faith, and perseverance has inspired millions.
• St. Augustine – His story of transformation after years of struggle and excess reminds me that redemption has always been possible.
• Most importantly, I draw inspiration from everyday people—the men and women who quietly fight addiction, obesity, depression, and life's setbacks every day and refuse to give up.
These individuals have taught me that our struggles don't have to become our identity. They remind me that healing is possible, redemption is real, and that it's never too late to rewrite your story.
## Equipment ### Provided by Speaker * HD webcam * High-quality microphone * Stable high-speed internet connection * Professional lighting setup * Laptop/computer for presentations * Presentation slides (upon request) * Inspirational and educational con
Motivational Speaker
