Jon Dorenbos – Life is Magic

Jon Dorenbos is a motivational speaker who mesmerizes audiences with magic and  inspires them by sharing his personal story of overcoming tragedy. Dorenbos spent 14 years in the National Football League as a long snapper, playing for Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles as a two-time Pro Bowl-er. He is also a professional magician, performed his magic act on multiple seasons of the America’s Got Talent show. His journey from tragedy to self-discovery is truly incredible.

Born in Humble, TX, Dorenbos grew up in Woodinville, WA. When he was 12 years old, he went through an unimaginable tragedy: his father murdered his mother. With his father convicted and sentenced to prison, Dorenbos was sent to a foster home. A year later, it was discovering magic and studying magic tricks that brought him out of his shell. It gave him purpose, focus and connection with other people.

In high school, Dorenbos was a letterman in four different sports: football, basketball, hockey, and baseball. He also made the dean’s list and was an honor roll student. During his freshman year at Golden West College, he sent video of his football playing to the coaches at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) at the recommendation of his best friend who was studying there. He went on to earn a degree in at the UTEP in business and played for the UTEP Miners football team as a long snapper.

After college, Dorenbos was signed as a long snapper by the Buffalo Bills following  the 2003 NFL Draft. At 38 years old, at the height of his career, he was traded to the New Orleans Saints. But instead of heading onto the field to play for his new team, he was forced to head into emergency surgery. A routine physical exam revealed that he had a heart murmur. Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, which required immediate heart surgery. The road to recovery was a long and painful one.

But Jon did not allow the career-ending diagnosis to defeat him.

         “When, one day, you are a professional athlete heading into your 15^th season in the NFL and the next you’re told that you need emergency open-heart surgery… well, you can look skyward and scream, ‘Why me?’

Or you can be thankful that your undiagnosed heart condition was discovered in time. You can feel thankful and grateful and pledge to live each moment fully aware of how precious it is. I think my life story summarizes it all: Find motivation in defeat and tell yourself a narrative that inspires yourself to keep on,” said Jon. 🏈