Jeffo Motivation FAQ

Q: How did you lose your sight?
J: Well, one day I was on the bus, and had my eye on a seat and someone sat on it. But it was okay; because even though I was blinded in one eye I had double vision in the other eye to make up for it.

Do people ask you a lot about how you went blind?
J: Oh yeah, all the time. They ask me so often I answer their question before they barely get the first word out, "how.?" In case you’re wondering how, Rheumatoid arthritis. That type of Arthritis can affect the tissues of the body and not just around the joints.

Q: How many shows did you perform a year?
J: About 150.

Q. What is the style of your performance?
J. I have fun using self-effacing irreverent humor about my situation to let people know that not only is my situation not a tragedy but can be a source of humor. I find this makes people a lot more comfortable with someone like my self who may have never crossed their path before.

Q: What kind of things have you had to overcome?
J: Well, magic is a visual medium so I’ve had to adapt tricks so that I could perform them. For example, I need to use special tactile markings to identify things such as playing cards and colors of scarves. Transportation is always challenging, though I’ve never missed a show because I couldn’t get a ride.

I have systemic rheumatoid arthritis which makes performing some tricks uncomfortable since magic requires slight of hand. I used to have a severe stuttering problem. Since magic requires public speaking this also has been an obstacle I’ve had to overcome in order to get my message across.

I really have a strong sense that I’m suppose to be doing what I’m doing because in spite of all this, it’s working successfully.

Q: How does your faith affect your magic and your career?
J. Trying to seek God’s will in my life and trying to be open to what might be next for me. I really didn’t think a lot about this until more recently. God, knowing my sensitive disposition, has been so gentle with me over the years. He has placed me in a position that really uses a lot of His spiritual gifts. I have the gifts of teaching and evangelism. Also, even humor has helped me in teaching because it disarms my audiences and makes them feel more comfortable around people with differences. I think my having a sense of humor about myself shows them that having a disability is not a tragedy. Also faith affects my magic because it allows me a great platform to think of different ways to relate biblical truths to those that might not ever pick up the Bible. I want them to be receptive to the truth. It may just mean planting a seed or perhaps taking off an edge of hostility toward their image of God. People often have a passive hostility toward God so when they see me show a lot of joy and fun with my biblical illustrations it helps explode their stereo type image, the erroneous idea that God hates sinners rather than hates sin.

Q. Anything else you would like to share?
J. I’d like to close with a piece of advice. Never close with a piece of advice.

Seriously, I have been so blessed most recently because of my wife, Devon, coming into my life as a beautiful helpmate. She’s reminded me, as I have heard often from others, I have been blessed with an amazing amount of good friends.

You know what they say, if you can count your good friends on your three fingers you are really blessed. Of course, if you only have three fingers, it’s good that you have a lot of friends to begin with.

Q: What’s the quickest way to contact you?
J. The most efficient method of contacting me is by telephone at (651) 457-7300. If you prefer contact me at jeffomotivation@gmail.com.

Q: What is the cost for your Motivational Speaking?
J. Since the length of presentation and size of audience can vary considerably the cost varies as well. Additional factors that determine the fee of a program include:

  • Travel time and distance
  • Type of venue
  • Date of event: (holidays)
  • Multiple shows in one day and referral or booking at nearby location on the same day

Call me at (651) 457-7300 and we can discuss your motivational speaking needs for your event. Only then can I give you the most accurate price quote for your particular needs.