John O’Leary’s childhood was filled with resilience and hope, and since then, it’s only escalated.

After surviving a near-fatal fire as a young boy, O’Leary chose to live his life with purpose and spread positive messages to all who would listen. The bestselling author and inspirational speaker is about to share his incredible story on the big screen.

“Soul on Fire” hits the big screen nationwide on October 10, 2025. Ahead of the film’s release, O’Leary sat down with The Blast to talk about his story, the film, and to share more insight into his journey. 

Featuring a standout cast – Joel Courtney, William H. Macy, John Corbett, Stephanie Szostak, Massey McLain, DeVon Franklin, and others – “Soul on Fire” tells the extraordinary true story of John O’Leary. 

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At 9 years old, a devastating accident happened that changed not only O’Leary’s life forever, but also those around him. Left with little hope to recover, O’Leary fought through many days, weeks, and months with the help of his family, his faith, support of the community, and encouragement from his childhood hero, legendary broadcaster Jack Buck. 

His journey from survival to thriving through purpose has inspired millions, and now his story will reach even more people through the feature film that proves even the darkest moments in life can ignite a life of hope and impact. 

O’Leary isn’t new to sharing his story or lifting others up. Through his bestselling books, podcast, and live events, O’Leary has not only shared his story, but also inspired others to live life with purpose and choose hope even throughout the darkest of times.

O’Leary exclusively told The Blast that his life changed forever that fateful day when he was just 9.

“When I was 9 years old, I saw kids in my neighborhood playing with fire and gasoline. They would sprinkle gasoline on the sidewalk, strike a match, stand back a couple of feet, throw the match on top and the liquid would just dance to life. I was observing these kids, they were older that I was. I figured if they could do it, so could I,” he shared with The Blast.

“The following weekend, my mom leaves with two of my sisters, my dad goes off to work, the house is all mine. I walked into the garage, came over to a can of gasoline, five gallons, 42 pounds, big red metal container like the old days, tried to pick it up.”

Before he could even pick up the container, the fumes from the container grab the flame that was in his left hand and pull it back into the container, creating a massive explosion. O’Leary was launched 20 feet against the far side of the garage.

“That’s the starting point of this explosion and setting my world on fire,” he said.

When this happened, O’Leary wasn’t quite sure what to do. He went into the house and stood on a rug screaming because he knew he couldn’t do this by himself.

“I remember seeing my brother Jim, he was 17, and I’m praying God send someone and I see him and I’m like, anybody else. I need someone who can actually fix this,” O’Leary said. “But that was the day my brother changed. He picked up a rug, beat down the flames, carried me outside, threw me on the ground, runs back into the house, brings my two sisters out through the smoke, brings the dog out, calls 911. So the lifesaver of the year in 1987 for the state of Missouri was not a first responder, or police officer, or veteran, but a 17-year-old kid who changed.”

After being taken to the hospital, O’Leary hears his father’s voice. His first thought was that he’s going to be in so much trouble.

“He goes, ‘I have never been so proud of anyone in my entire life. And my little buddy today, I’m just glad to be your dad. I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it,'” he explained. “Right behind my dad came my mom. My mom took my right hand, she pats my bald head, and she says I love you. That’s when it turned for me, realizing, I must be really in trouble physically if everybody’s loving on me like this.”

He further explained that when he asked his mom if he’s going to die, she responded, “Do you want to? It’s your choice, not mine.” He told her he didn’t want to, so she said, “Good, then look at me. You take the hand of God. You walk the journey with him and you fight like you never fought.”

O’Leary shared the story about how the St. Louis Cardinals radio announcer, Jack Buck, came into the picture during his recovery.

“I’m laying in the hospital bed by myself. My eyes were swollen shut, so at that point I was unable to see, unable to communicate because of the trach, my lungs were too badly burned, and I’m wrapped from head to toe with bandages, so I can’t move,” O’Leary told The Blast. “But I could pray, and I could dream, and I could hear. That night, I heard the door open up, footsteps walk in. A chair came across the floor, and then I heard the voice of a guy named Jack Buck, who was the radio announcer for the St. Louis Cardinals.”

O’Leary said he was a big sports fan, specifically a Cardinals fan, and “Jack Buck was my guy” and “my hero.”

Buck heard about O’Leary’s accident, so he decided to pay him a visit to share some kind words.

“He leaves a charity party, goes to the burn center that night, visits a stranger, and begins the conversation with the words, ‘Kid, wake up,'” O’Leary shared. He said he continued, “You are going to live. Keep fighting. John O’Leary Day at the Ballpark. Make it all worthwhile. Keep fighting.” And despite being told that evening that O’Leary would die, Buck went back to the hospital the following day to visit with him again. He continued visiting him throughout his entire five-month hospital stay.

So of course, when it came time to cast the role of Buck in the film, the choice would have to be just right. William H. Macy is playing Buck and O’Leary couldn’t be more thrilled.

O’Leary shared some awe-inspiring information about the film. The entire movie was filmed where it all actually happened – St. Louis University, Mercy Hospital, O’Leary’s parents’ house, the church he was married at, and Bush Stadium.

In the wedding scene, behind the actors playing his parents were his real parents. The people who attended O’Leary’s wedding in real life are also in the scene. The actress playing O’Leary’s wife is wearing the same dress that his wife did when they got married. And then there was this incredible moment that brough O’Leary to tears while discussing.

“My favorite part of the whole movie is you see my dad stand up. My dad’s got Parkinson’s disease and had it for 32 years. He can no longer stand. He can’t ambulate, he can’t move, and yet on that day, on that one take, you see this heroic warrior of a man rise,” O’Leary said. “The final thing about my father is since shooting that scene, on May 30 this year, he passed away. But we have this moment where you see this guy who just shined light his whole life rise for really the final time.”

“Soul on Fire” will be released in theaters nationwide on October 10, 2025.