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.

Community outreach is my jam and what I absolutely love to do! In my 23 year career at USAA, I have interwoven my love for community and sustainability into many initiatives in my career and my life. 

For the past 15 years, I have served in several leadership roles at USAA ranging from program management to call center manager. My subject matter expertise is rooted in compliance and risk management, identifying trends, pinpointing themes, and delivering insights for action. 

As a result, I am able to help organizations streamline their operations and reduce their costs. One of my key strategies I employ to do this is by building strong relationships and modeling cross-team collaboration and partnerships. I consistently bring teams together and find common ground to help us all achieve the business goals.

I first noticed my passion for community involvement when I saw my Grandma Grace in action as she was her neighborhood “Good Deeds Catalyst” aka community outreach queen. She lived in a developing country and consistently found ways to rally for resources and people to genuinely come together and help where there was a need/cause without a hidden agenda. People often joked that she was the “unofficial mayor.” This inspired me.

I love community outreach and want economically challenged & low-income minority youth to know that he/she is not their zip code! I want them to be able to have encouraging mentors, exposure to STEM careers and enriching experiences that may not typically be available to them. 
 
Some of my community involvement I am most proud of is:

✨Participant in the inaugural PEAK African American diversity group as a mentor and my mentee was highlighted and promoted in the 1st year

✨Served as the key event planner for a 3-day technology entrepreneurship boot camp for veterans and military spouses.

✨Led a team of 6 volunteers for the inaugural USAA Pro Bono Impact Day with Taproot Foundation and created a one year marketing plan for a nonprofit providing education programs to low income and minority students.
 
My goal is to serve more in community engagement and I am interested in roles around corporate social responsibility, DEI, sustainability, and community impact. I would love to bring my leadership and program management skills in these roles.

I love connecting with people that are mission focused, community minded and passionate about making a difference in the world we live in. Please connect with me if you are also driven in that way.


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The Battle

Jacob Brown

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The Battle

Jacob Brown

Summer McAfee, NDCCDP

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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