An internationally acclaimed educator on resilience and the youngest #1 bestselling author in New Zealand history, Jake Bailey is a powerful voice on overcoming adversity and unlocking human potential.
Jake first captured the world’s attention at just 18 years old, when his prize-giving speech as Head Boy of Christchurch Boys’ High School went viral. Delivered from a wheelchair just one week after being diagnosed with one of the most aggressive forms of cancer known to medicine—and given two weeks to live without treatment—his speech touched tens of millions globally and drew praise from world leaders and everyday people alike.
Following his recovery, Jake embarked on a mission to understand what enables people to not only survive adversity but to grow from it. He studied positive psychology, ran ultra-marathons, travelled to Antarctica, and interviewed world champions and prime ministers in his pursuit of answers. His insights have since reached over 85,000 people through thousands of presentations across dozens of cities.
Jake’s first book, What Cancer Taught Me, made him the youngest author to top New Zealand’s bestseller list. His second book, The Comeback Code, soared to number two on the bestseller charts, cementing his place as a leading voice in personal development and resilience.
In 2019, Jake was invited to speak to grantees of the Inspire Foundation, a charity that identifies and invests in extraordinarily talented young people. Deeply moved by its mission—and as a former grantee himself—Jake joined the organisation as Director of Grantee and Community Support in 2023. In August 2025, he was appointed General Manager of the Inspire Foundation, a role that brings his journey full circle and allows him to empower the next generation of changemakers.
A Commonwealth Study Conference alumnus, Jake has been recognised as one of the most promising emerging leaders across the Commonwealth. His work continues to inspire audiences from Fortune 500 CEOs to schoolchildren, elite athletes to prison inmates, and government leaders to grassroots communities.
Talking Points
Discovering Resilience, and other side-effects of chemotherapy
In 2015, sitting in a hospital room facing stage 4 cancer, Jake became fixated on the intangible concepts of mental fortitude and resilience — how do we, as humans, get through tough times? Discovering Resilience, and other side-effects of chemotherapy
Once in remission, he set off in pursuit of more knowledge and understanding of our ability to overcome tremendous adversity: why some people naturally have it, how we can teach it & learn it, & what it takes to create people able to not only recover, but to grow, from immense setbacks.
As a presenter, Jake shares with others all which he has since learnt from a range of sources: his study in positive psychology and learnings from experts, his interviews with those who have overcome great adversity, & of course his lived experience. He shares this journey, what it has taught him, evidence and research based tools and strategies, & how others can integrate these lessons into their own lives.
Who this is for: Although Jake draws on his experience with cancer to demonstrate the lessons he has learnt, these messages are about so much more than cancer — rather, they’re about how we navigate the unifying human experience of adversity, and as such, they're applicable to all people of all backgrounds & ages, who have faced and are facing all variety of challenges. Jake’s presentations are positively uplifting & inspiring, helping audiences to both reconcile their own challenges and to prepare for the future.
3 Key Takeaways:
1. ME — The Learnable Skills of Resilience: Practical and evidence based tools and strategies for overcoming the inevitable adversity we all face in life (the 4S Model of Resilience).
2. YOU — How we can prepare and support not only ourselves, but others around us and in our circles to navigate life’s setbacks.
3. US — What it takes to create an environment which allows individual and collective resilience to flourish and grow.
Video
Jake Baileys Famous Speech the 2015 Christchurch Boys' High School Prize Giving
Jake Bailey caused a global sensation when he delivered a very moving speech from his wheelchair as Head Boy at Christchurch Boys High School's prize giving ceremony in November 2015. "Here's the thing, none of us get out of life alive, so be gallant, be great, be gracious and be grateful for the opportunities you have."Jake Bailey Speaking at Tour de Cure Snow Ball 2016
Jake Bailey caused a global sensation when he delivered a very moving speech from his wheelchair as Head Boy at Christchurch Boys High School's prize giving ceremony in November 2015.Jake was down to earth and very accommodating prior and after the speaking engagement. Jake is a very likable guy, went out of his way for us as an organization but also on the night with th ... keep reading Nelson Cancer Society
Jake is just awe-inspiring extremely powerful, unforgettable and a wake-up call.
He spoke to the students about successfully developing resilience by striving to overcome the challenges all will inevitably face in life and to be brave in the face of adversity. We each need to fight that inner voice that says to give up and instead display resilience and determination, always striving to do our best, and bounce back again and again, if success does not first appear. Going on the number of questions asked of Jake by the students, they were entertained and informed by Jake's heart-warming and inspiring words.
The rangatahi of our Kura enjoyed the messages Jake had to share. Through struggle and challenge we can often come to appreciate the blessings we have. Jake's message was uplifting.
Our students and staff found Jakes presentation inspirational. His story is one that really resonates with our students, and he has a lovely and authentic approach to telling it. Jake has become a fixture in my speaking calendar.
Jake has a real and impactful story to share with teenagers from all walks of life. He delivers this with drama, excitement and humour but most of all with a key message of hope when going through tough times. You need to hear his story!
Jake was easy to work with and flexible in his approach in terms of organising the day. Feedback from staff, students and whanau were excellent. His story connected with our community and the workshop he did with our student leaders was outstanding. I would highly recommend Jake to other schools and would look to use him again in the future.
Jake has had a long-lasting impact on our community following his live online presentation during lockdown 2020 and his visit to the college in person earlier this year. His extraordinary and inspiring story, centred on the theme of resilience, delivered in an honest, no-nonsense manner has captured the attention of our students who continue to explore these themes in our wellbeing lessons and tutorials. We look forward to welcoming Jake back to the college in the future.
Your story was relatable and inspiring, and that you were a very engaging presenter.
Jake was a breath of fresh air in our last week of school with year 9 and 10. He held the attention of over 500 girls at a time for over an hour. Jake’s message is powerful but simple, and he left the girls with strategies to enhance their resilience moving forward. Jake also spoke to a group of parents in the evening. They were all really grateful for the opportunity to learn about how to support their young people. We will definitely be getting Jake back to speak to our Seniors next year. I highly recommend Jake and his presentation and message.
The staff, students, and local community of Kaiapoi High School were privileged to listen to the moving presentations on wellbeing and resilience delivered by Jake. He adeptly tailored each session to target the unique requirements, experiences and attention spans of each group. His personal journey, along with research into positive psychology, has allowed him to craft a set of readily usable tools that everyone can apply to stand tall during the inevitable tough times and when facing adversity.
Honest, vulnerable, practical, and a powerful message of hope. Our students are pretty vocal on their opinions - and it was hugely positive.
Jake is a skilled presenter who is passionate about teaching young people to be resilient. Through a seamless blend of personal storytelling, infectious humour, and solid research, Jake fully captured his audiences and made a significant impact on our young people. Even in my own classes this week, students have continued to reflect on and empathise with different facets of Jake’s journey.
Jake Bailey delivered workshops and a keynote to our very excited students last week. He was authentic, engaging, and relatable. The way he integrated lived experience and positive psychology strategies was amazing. In the workshops, our young people were able to identify their own core values and are still connecting them to a range of learning contexts. Memorable is the word that keeps coming up when reflecting on Jake’s visit to our kura.
Jake’s story connected with all in our community, often in different ways but fundamental to his message is that resilience often comes during the most challenging of situations. Our students in particular, loved his open style of delivery and his willingness to share his story full of hope. Our parent community were hooked on his story and found the opportunity to work through successful strategies for supporting their own children highly valuable.
Jake was very warmly received as his authenticity and easy manner resonated with people. He very skilfully tailored his presentations to each differing audience. We have had some wonderful feedback and he has inspired many people in quite different but also quite specific ways. He was great to have around, having a warmth and keen sense of humour and also “mucking in” when he saw an opportunity.
Jake Bailey quickly developed rapport with our senior students, staff and wider community. He is a wonderful advocate for young people and was the embodiment of resilience and what that actually looks like. He presented in a convivial and engaging manner and everyone was in awe of how much this young man had experienced in such a short space of time. I recommend him unreservedly and would encourage anyone who has not had the opportunity to hear what he has to say to make sure they make it happen. I will be incorporating some of his gold nuggets into the work I do with young people and am very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet such an inspiring young man.
