We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeff Marconette Jr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeff, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At the age of 17, I was in high school and heading to get lunch. I stopped at a green light waiting to turn when a truck ran a red light and hit my car. That day almost ended my life, leading me toward the eternal stoplight, but stopping me just short. That accident put me in a place where people were saying phrases that started with “Jeff will never…” Because I do not like being told that I am unable to do something I have taken those “Jeff will never…” statements and turned them into my “Make Every Second Count” moments. I have made it through relearning how to do all the basic things that the accident took away from me like: walking, talking, feeding myself and used my physical therapy to become an example of what a person can be if they are motivated. I have made it to the point where I am through determination, perseverance and motivation. Through the trials that I encountered I have started my “Make Every Second Count” movement to inspire others, educate and push others to take their “Never” statements and make them “Possible” statements. The “Make Every Second Count” movement started after I realized how valuable seconds are in my life. Take for example the seconds that I can never get back when my heart stopped after the accident or the seconds that the other driver had to stop before he hit me. Think about how those seconds changed both lives. For me that accident was my wake up call. My “Make Every Second Count” mission is to motivate others and help them to realize they need to make the most of the time that they have. Unfortunately, no one knows when their life will come to an end and no one should wait for their near-death experience to understand how valuable life is and that they should live their life to the fullest and “Make Every Second Count.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an International Motivational Speaker who travels the world showing others how to transform their lives, to live their best life. I want to help those that hear me speak understand that it should not take a significant, life-altering event to find their way to a second chance to live the life that they have always wanted. Through my “Make Every Second Count” platform, I encourage others to start living now, stop complaining and take nothing for granted. I created a journal to help you on your path to transforming your life “The Make Every Second Count Journal” which can be purchased on my website jeffmarconettejr.com. If you want to hear me speak, I will be speaking in St. Louis, MO at the Becoming the Best You Conference, February 17 – 19, 2023. Find out more at comechangeyourlife.com

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

After my accident I had to take the time to relearn everything. Hearing from specialists that I would never be able to walk, talk or take care of myself again. In the last 20 years through hard work and lots of physical therapy I have gone from sitting on the edge of my bed in the hospital to walking again. My determination doesn’t end there though my goal for myself is still to be able to run. My resilience comes from within and my desire to “Make Every Second Count.”

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I had to unlearn was that things in life are guaranteed. I was young and had my whole life in front of me. My life had so much purpose and possibility. That day sitting at the green light I had what I thought was a guarantee to continue to be able to walk, run, speak, drive and be a normal teenager. When I got hit the things I thought were guaranteed were stripped from me and I had to start over again and be determined enough to defy the odds that were now stacked against me.

Contact Info:

• Website: jeffmarconettejr.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jeffmarconettejr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffmarconettejr
• Linkedin: LinkedIn.com/in/jeffmarconettejr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/JeffMarconetteJr