Jacob is a former NFL athlete turned entrepreneur, transformational keynote speaker, best-selling author, and business coach. He is also the co-founder of Varlo, a leading brand in cycling, triathlon, and athleisure fitness apparel. Jacob has faced plenty of challenges – academic setbacks, business hurdles, personal losses, and even homelessness. But with each stumble, he found strength. He learned that failure isn’t the end; it's a stepping stone. As a three-time TEDx speaker, Jacob was also named one of the '40 Under 40' in 2015.

His insights have been featured in Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Top brands and institutions like Intel, Meta, LinkedIn, Dallas Cowboys, UPS, Stellantis, University of Notre Dame, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, and Central Michigan University have been captivated by his talks. Jacob's mission goes beyond motivation.

He promotes a transformative approach to life, advocating for a mental reset and a shift in perspective to discover one’s true calling. His #FailForward philosophy, shared on LinkedIn, through motivational posts, and in powerful videos, has inspired countless individuals worldwide to turn setbacks into strength.

Ready to connect? Text or call me @ 248-805-6093 or email me at jacob@failforwardbrown.com

For speaking inquiries: www.failforwardbrown.com

Jacob Brown

This should ring true both professionally and personally.

Jacob Brown 🎤

When I was 27, I applied for a position I knew I wasn’t qualified for – and I landed it.

It was my "dream job."

This position was a lead role for a very large digital agency and one that I had always wanted to work for.

I had a phone interview on a Wednesday, a face-to-face that Friday, and was made an offer that Sunday.

Yep, Sunday.

I even received my benefits package the same day.

They offered me $30k more than what I was currently making at the time, 4 weeks of PTO, and every other Friday off during summer.

Jackpot, right?

Nope!

That Monday, I received a call that the position was going to be eliminated due to lack of budget.

Thank God I hadn't already put in my 2 weeks.

I was crushed.

But I was not defeated.

Shortly after, I was offered an even better position and life went on.

Moral of the story - fail forward.

Hey, new followers and connections! 🖐

If you’re new to my page - welcome! I’m so glad you’re here, and I want to take a moment to introduce myself.

My name is Jacob Brown 🎤, but you can call me Jake! 

I’m a former NFL athlete turned keynote speaker, leadership coach, and bestselling author who is obsessed with one thing: helping humans lead from within.

Before I ever stepped on a stage, I spent 15+ years as a Creative Director, leading teams, managing pressure, coaching talent, and building culture in fast-moving environments.

Today, I work with:
 ⚡ HR leaders and people teams
 ⚡ Associations and conferences
 ⚡ Organizations in tech, healthcare, finance, auto, manufacturing, education, and many more
 ⚡ Executives and mid-level leaders navigating change, burnout, or culture drift

And I speak about:
 🗣️ Leadership alignment
 🗣️Culture transformation
 🗣️Navigating burnout and disengagement
 🗣️Turning failure into fuel
 🗣️Building teams that actually trust each other
 🗣️Leading with purpose instead of pressure

I’ve been fortunate to share this work with companies like Intel, Meta, GM, UPS, LinkedIn, and the Dallas Cowboys - along with universities, associations, and SHRM chapters across the country.

But more than any credential, here’s what matters most: I care deeply about helping people grow. Not just as professionals, but as humans.

I’m glad we connected.

I’m here to serve.

- Jake

I put together 5 leadership lessons that I wish I knew sooner as a leader.

5 Leadership Lessons I wish I knew sooner

Before you'll ever enter rooms you wish to be in, you must first enter them in your mind.

2026…we're coming for you. Here’s to building powerful rooms together next year.

Sunday evening reminder that you still have PTO left this year - so take it.

Public confidence is found in private discipline.

Bring The Best

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 is a coaching company that combines personal growth and development with transformational change and leadership for individuals and organisations.

Trust, commitment and willingness to be challenged are the principles of our coaching sessions. 𝗜𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲:

1️⃣ They do not have the right level of leadership training or even education
2️⃣ They need to improve their confidence to speak and present in public
3️⃣ They need to improve their interpersonal (communication, leading or influencing others)
4️⃣ They need to improve intrapersonal skills (self-awareness and self-management)
5️⃣ They want to create a thriving environment for their team is important
6️⃣ They wish to prioritise time to reflect on where they are and where they need to be
7️⃣ They realise that they need an accountability partner to boost their performance
8️⃣ Belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community holds back their leadership 
9️⃣ They want to avoid procrastination

🔥 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨?
If you are feeling you do not know where to start, then let us work and begin your transformation for a better you. Contact me at cas@bringthebest.pt

Founder | Business Coach | Executive Coach | Team Coaching

Double Loop GmbH

Double-Loop Dude

ActionCOACH Portugal

Firm Owner | Certified Business Coach

Valuebizbooster

Value Trainer & Coach

We Mean Business Coalition

Direct and manage the Coalition’s overall approach to the Industry and Building Environment Systems, facilitating and engaging coalition partners and clients to the journey to the deployment of the solutions that put us on a 1.5-degree C trajectory and net-zero emissions. Partners of the coalition include BSR, CDP, Ceres, CLG Europe, The B Team, Climate Group and WBCSD.

Industry Manager, Systems Transformation

Kemira

Board Member of Kemira South Africa, Pty, Ltd.

Operational sales responsibilities for South Europe (Portugal, Spain, France and Italy), Middles East and Africa for industry & water division, including mining. Responsible for managing a €112 million P&L, developing sales business plans and sales forecasts. Reports directly to the Senior Vice-President EMEA & APAC

Commercial Director, Industry & Water, South

Buckman

Operational sales responsibilities for West Europe (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, UK, Benelux and Morocco) for the pulp and paper industry. Responsible for managing P&L, developing sales business plans and sales forecasts. Reports directly to the EMENA Division Manager.

Regional Sales Manager Paper Technologies

Nalco Africa (Pty) Ltd, An Ecolab company

Promoted to Sales Manager of the Water & Process Services division encompassing previous marketing responsabilties with the operational sales responsabilities for the heavy and light industries in West, Central, East and Sub-Saharan Africa including Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion Islands. Responsible for managing P&L and  110 employees with 5 direct reports, developing business plans and sales forecasts.

Regional Sales Manager Africa, Water Treatment

Relocated to Johannesburg in South Africa, to start-up Nalco Africa, a joint venture company of Nalco, an Ecolab company, and Protea Chemicals, a division of the Omnia group. Responsible for managing product lines and developing markets, introduction of new technology, and managing communications, pricing, and marketing operations for the heavy and light industry segments in Southern Africa.

Marketing Manager

Promoted to Marketing Manager Water & Wastewater Treament within Energy Services Downstream Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME).

Responsible for defining and implementing the RDF & Functionals technology offering to the paper industry globally, which represent €220 million of the Paper Services Division turnover, by performing strategic technology assessments, by leading technology projects thru Stage & Gate process and by driving the identification, development and communication of industry specific best practices. Manages globally a cross functional and cross regional group of 8 business support professionals

Global Programme Manager

Responsible for defining and implementing the business strategy for P&W grades in the European paper industry. Managed the European P&W Team encompassing the leadership of 4 business support professionals. Reported directly on progress to the General Marketing Manager

Industry Development Manager Printing & Writing Grades

Responsible for  setting and controlling product gross margins, portfolio analysis and product life cycle management; develop marketing campaigns, advertising programmes and technical literature; part global group of experts that developed application best practices with global market perspectives.

Product  Manager

Responsible for new technology deployment, training and on-site technical support for the European market encompassing Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Benelux, UK, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Austria

Marketing Specialist

Nalco Company

Appointed to assist with sales growth and profitability. Responsible for all aspects of sales for Nalco Portuguesa, SA in the south of Portugal

Sales Representative

🔥 I help you to unlock your potential changing your life in 90 days.

At Bring The Best, our team leverages over two years of specialized experience in personal growth and leadership transformation to guide individuals and organizations toward their full potential. Having previously directed systems transformation at We Mean Business Coalition, the competencies in facilitating industry-wide change are now channeled into coaching, with a focus on enhancing leadership and interpersonal skills.

The essence of our work lies in fostering trust and commitment, challenging clients to transcend their current capabilities. Our methodology equips clients with strategies for public speaking, self-awareness, and effective communication, contributing to their personal and professional ascendancy. As a certified business coach, I am dedicated to orchestrating impactful journeys that kindle confidence and catalyze sustainable transformations.

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Jacob Brown

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The Battle

Jacob Brown

Casimiro (Cas) da Silva Santos (he/him)

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Jacob Brown's LinkedIn Performance

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