Life’s Defining Moments
Life can be unpredictable. One moment, everything is going according to plan, and the next moment, everything changes. Jesse Bradley knows this all too well. His parents’ divorce was a defining moment in his life, and it tested him to the core. “It is healthy and normal to grieve,” he says, “but I had to reject despair, a false guilt, and the desire to quit.”
Jesse didn’t let the pain of his parents’ divorce define him. Instead, he channeled his energy into academics and athletics during his teenage years. After graduating from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology, he was living out his childhood dream as a soccer goalkeeper. But his career ended tragically in Africa with an illness as he was fighting for his life for a year. It took ten years for him to fully recover. “Fruit grows in the valley, not the mountaintops,” Jesse says. “Now it has become my passion to spread hope around the world. Every day is a gift from God.”
Choosing Your Attitude
Jesse knows that you can always choose your attitude and your response to life’s challenges. “You can become bitter or better,” he says. “It’s empowering to know you have choices.” Love is the most important part of life, according to Jesse. “The more someone knows they are loved by family, friends, and God, there is an increased likelihood they will grow and persevere.”
Jesse’s experience with illness and recovery has transformed his life on many levels. “There was a deep transformation in my life,” he says. “The pain in my journey has fueled a purpose in my heart to see more people experience an abundant life.”
Adoption and Leadership
Jesse and his wife have also experienced the joy of adopting a son. “Every child needs a forever family,” he says. “If you have the ability, it’s good to be part of the solution. Not everyone can adopt, but we can all care for kids as a mentor or friend.”
Jesse has served under some outstanding leaders in his life, including his coach Bobby Clark. “He knew how to build a remarkable culture and create a family on our team,” Jesse says. “Real leaders develop leaders.”
Jesse believes that the best leaders serve the people they lead. “Their picture of victory is that everyone makes it to the top of the mountain together,” he says. “Leaders need to have wisdom, courage, and sacrifice. Leaders are most effective when they set the example.”
Finding Purpose and Hope
Jesse’s journey has taught him that the greatest blessings and growth in life can emerge from the worst situations. “This is the grace of God, and the hope I want to spread,” he says. “After denying God’s existence throughout my childhood, I never anticipated deciding to follow Jesus.”
Jesse’s family is diverse spiritually, and it was during an Introduction to World Religion class at an Ivy League school that he started to consider the historical evidence that led to his new beliefs. “There’s an authentic daily joy in my life that is far greater than anything I imagined,” he says. “And I am energized by connecting with people from all cultures and nations.”
Jesse’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite facing significant challenges, he never gave up on himself or his dreams. Instead, he used his pain and struggles as fuel to push himself further and help others along the way.
Growing up in a broken home could have easily led Jesse down a dark path. But instead, he chose to reject despair and bitterness, and instead sought out joy and meaning in the classroom and on the field. His teachers and coaches provided him with the support and guidance he needed to excel, and he eventually found deep healing in his faith and relationships.
Jesse’s experience as a professional soccer goalkeeper is a testament to his resilience and determination. His career was tragically cut short by illness, and it took him ten years to fully recover. But through this difficult time, Jesse experienced a deep transformation that led him to his passion for spreading hope and positivity around the world.
One of the highlights of Jesse’s life was the adoption of his son. He believes that every child deserves a forever family, and that we all have a role to play in caring for vulnerable children in our communities. Jesse’s own experience of being cared for and supported by his community has inspired him to give back and help others in need.
Jesse has also been fortunate enough to work with outstanding leaders throughout his life, including his coach Bobby Clark. Clark’s leadership style was characterized by building a remarkable culture that fostered teamwork, gratitude, and a sense of family. Jesse has taken these lessons to heart, and now believes that the best leaders are those who serve their people, set a clear and compelling vision, and develop other leaders.
In all aspects of his life, Jesse Bradley embodies the principles of resilience, perseverance, and service. His story is a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to overcome adversity and make a positive impact on the world around us.