Read Stories

#101735 Josh

##88552 Freddy

I was sitting in his class and was inspired, by how he lives in the moment. I believe too many times we watch our moments pass us by. Knowing that everyone at any given moment can be amazing and change the life of those we meet. Having the opportunity to say hi and shake Jon’s hand and say thank you, made my day, to where I shared his story to friends and family. I look forward to living in the moment more often. My wife and I do foster care and to bring this amazing gift to all the kids that come through our home, will be exciting. The kids that come through our home already have had a bad taste of life, and to give them a chance to be amazing and to be amazing in their life is something we want to continue to do.

#77302 Dakota

I met Jon at an expo for turf maintenance, not where I thought two people with a passion for seeing other people smile would meet. I’ve never believed in myself, or frankly loved myself, all my life I’ve been put down and looked past. I know people have tough lives and some people have it way harder than me but I am allowed to hate my life. Even though I hated life so much and attempted suicide several times, I still wanted to have a happy life. When I move to Colorado it was scary one of the scariest things I’ve done. Finding a new job, a new life and most importantly a new hobby. This hobby is not your traditional hobby, it’s one that stems from anger and aggression, the goal is pain and suffering, but through it you heal, you grow you use all that pent up aggression towards a goal, or even a person. Kickboxing has changed my life in more ways than I can count, it’s allowed me to heal past trauma and move one to helping others grow. When I see a kid, or an adult or even a teen starting out at my kickboxing gym I shed a tear because I know they are here for something. That they are fighting things inside that we can’t see, when I step up to introduce myself and help get them starting by teaching them basics, I alway here I can’t do what you do, I can’t hit as hard as you or I can’t get my leg up that high like you. I tell them it’s not weather or not you can do what I do it weather or not you can do all that YOU can do. Teaching kickboxing drives me everyday to show the world what these kids can do and show them what they can do to fight back and not have to be afraid of the anger inside. At the end of every session we always bow out with two words that has driven me forward for years. We shout celebrate life, because that’s all you can really do sometimes we life is hard and it’s pinching you in the face, all you can do is keep your hands up, take that hit or that kick, and CELEBRATE LIFE.

##58085 Kendyl

I bought the book at a sales meeting with a wonderful home Warranty company that I was employed by for 18 years, I can’t remember where or what year. I read the book & the story touched me. I’ve just recently reread it & my word for 2024 is Significance. My Family is very close & we have lost many. We gather every Sunday at my home with Family, Neighbors & Friends. We need to be reminded that these Sundays are simple moments with a significant impact on all of us. Thank you Jon for the reminder.

#107493 Liza

It was to be my first time on-stage addressing my peers and senior leaders at a National Leadership Conference and, I don’t think it will be my last! I had my moment on stage where my unique passion, energy and delivery of material was so impactful, my peers were stopping me in hallways to share how I “woke them up” and how my energy just lit up the room. I’m a relatively new leader and hearing this from my very tenured colleagues has been inspiring because I know that it’s not “just me”, this is who I am. Thank you John Petz for inspiring me to be in the moment cause it’s “showtime”.

#43782 Beth

Attended a travel symposium and Jon was the guest speaker. His "It's Showtime" story had such a deep impact on me. I have learned to realize that it is the simple moments & things in life that truly add up to make a difference. I lead with kindness and try to emit that to all around me. Thank you, Jon, for changing my life.

#103276 Jen

I got this from Jon who told us the story at a staff event for my school district

#105921 Jackie

As a kid,I had an diagnosed ruptured appendix. The poision affected my eyes so badly that I ended up running into a glass in a basement door, cutting my wrists and arms severely. By grace of God, I did not bleed out, but I needed over 100 stitches to repair the damage. But that was the start of years of kids making fun of me, teasing me for not committing suicide properly, and other nasty comments, to a point where I wore long sleeves even during the hottest days of summer. Thankfully years later I met the man I would later marry. He is kind and loving, and we have been married for over 50 years! He also reminded me of my self worth, and makes me see the joy in each day

#11445 Tara

Me and my family received this from a friend and her family that we've had the pleasure of getting to know this year. We loved reading this book and being reminded of our importance and significance in this world.

#63416 Joy

“You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.”