Jon Carmichael

Thank you @goodmorningamerica for sharing my story and dreams! Life doesn’t even feel real right now. David @copperfield is all about living the impossible and never giving up on your dreams... Collaborating with him has been the greatest honor and incredibly humbling and inspiring. Thank you for believing in me David - it means the world 🙏🏼 By the way, WE GOT THE SHOT, and cannot wait to share it with the world! And a huge thank you to @giobenitez for sharing the same vision we have and bringing such a beautiful message to the world yesterday.

6 years ago today, my life changed in ways I never could’ve imagined.. When I was 12 years old, I learned what a total solar eclipse was in my Geography class. I was so amazed by it, and asked my teacher when the next eclipse will be in the US - she said “in 20 years”. That felt like eternity but ever since that day I kept dreaming of when that day would come. As I got older, I became a photographer, and got my pilots license, and because of those passions, one day I got the idea of experiencing the eclipse from an airplane... I couldn’t stop imagining how incredible it would be to be up in the sky and see the Moon’s shadow sweep across our planet at nearly 2,000 mph... It’s quite a crazy story how it happened- but too long to write in a post. (link in my bio for more 😋) But I just want to say, to whoever needs to hear this, that if you ever have a dream - GO AFTER IT - no matter how long you’ve had the dream for, no matter how ridiculous, crazy, or silly it may seem to other people, and no matter how unlikely it may seem to come true - it’s WORTH PURSUING. Against all odds, my vision as a 12 year old boy came to life 20 years later. And what I *never* would’ve expected, were the amazing blessings and opportunities that came after - all as a result of beautiful humans that the universe put in my path. These are some of the moments that I hold most near and dear to my heart - and gave me new friendships which I will always cherish. 🙏🏼 Thank you to all of you who have been involved in this 💙

Well the news is out! I’m thrilled to finally share what I’ve been planning for the eclipse! I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I’m collaborating with David Copperfield who has invited me to fly with him in his private jet to help me achieve an impossible photograph together - at 55,000 feet! David and I originally met to discuss his life’s greatest illusion - making the Moon disappear (which will be happening later this year!) That dinner lasted til 2am and led to David becoming inspired to see the very first total eclipse in his life. After all, it’s nature’s greatest illusion - making the sun disappear! There is a documentary film being made about the journey and I am beyond excited, but also INCREDIBLY nervous - I mean talk about pressure!! 😅 HUGE thank you to my friend @matthew.p.greene If it wasn’t for you, I never would’ve met David and none of this would be happening! You’ve changed my life and I’ll never know how to ever thank you. I am just so grateful 🙏🏼 This has been the most complex and challenging project I’ve ever taken on. I am feeling so much pressure and anxiety, but also so much gratitude and excitement. Please cross your fingers for me! Thank you @copperfield ! This means the world to me!! 🤞🏼💙 🛩️🌎🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓

WOW… just… wow. I am dying with the release of these photographs today. Since I was a kid I always wondered if we’d make it back to the Moon, and I always wished I was alive during the Apollo era… I just can’t believe what we are witnessing right now. I hope everyone can take a moment from their busy days, and just pause to look up, and take this in... That’s our home; it’s all we have. We don’t yet know if we are even alone in the universe, but even if life does exist somewhere out there, we are still the only humans. It’s such a miracle that we even exist at all. Thank you to everyone at @nasa and the @nasaartemis crew for dedicating your entire lives to achieve this! #artemis #artemisii #nasa #moon #earth

I never post videos of my speeches but this moment was so special to me when my mom saw me speak for the very first time a few weeks back. I’ll never forget this moment. Thank you @logandrakeyoung & @spkrstudio for capturing this so beautifully for us and for making this video! I am just completely overwhelmed by this, and will cherish it forever 😭 And thank you again to Patrick Quinn @chicago_sep for booking me for this, @brandygibson7 for flying out, and the @crown_council team for having me. You were such gracious hosts to my mom, and had the most incredible audience! 🙏🏼💙

Today marks 13 years since we lost our Dad… So hard to believe. He was the most kind, creative, hilarious and compassionate person I’ll ever know. We were so lucky to have him. We miss you every single day Dad! 💙

HUGE Thank you to everyone who purchased prints at the @crown_council Annual Event! Together we raised $12,200 for the Smiles For Life Foundation! We are just completely overwhelmed with gratitude by your support💙🙏🏼 @smilesforlifefoundation helps provide oral healthcare around the world for children and people with disabilities. Access to oral healthcare is the #1 healthcare problem people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face in the U.S. and globally. If you’d like to support or donate to their cause, check out the site SmilesForLife.org Thank you to @sportsagentcsep @chicago_sep @brandygibson7 for making this happen and the entire Crown Council team for all your help and for such fun ideas. I’ve never seen an event as creative and beautiful as this - the theme for the event was “look up”, so the last night’s reception was designed after the Pixar film “Up” 🥹 Everything about it was just amazing and it was such an honor to be a part of this. 🎈🏠 ✨ Photos by @brittanynielsenphoto

My mom saw me speak for the first time ever this weekend, and I ugly-cried in front of a thousand people. My mom has been battling stage 4 cancer for a long time - back in 2016 we were told she won’t be with us much longer, yet here she is 10 years later looking more bright and beautiful than ever. I didn’t quite realize how much this moment was going to mean to me until I walked up on stage and saw her sitting right there in the front row - I could hardly get through my speech. I love you so much, mom. And I admire your strength - you have taught me that you should never let anyone tell you what your “limits” are. I’ll always remember this moment, and thank you to @crown_council for being such gracious hosts for my mom, and to all of you that were there, and the love you showed us. 🥹💕🙏🏼

Kicked off my first speech in 2026 this weekend in Salt Lake City for @crown_council ! It was truly unforgettable - There are certain events that you know will always stay with you, and this was one of them. The theme for the event this year was “Look Up”, and we talked about the power of perspective and how looking at things differently can make a huge impact on your life. I’ve never had an audience that was so welcoming, energetic, and fun to be with - and that’s testament to the Crown Council team. And the best part is they hosted my mom to see me speak for the first time 😭 It was so special… I’ll share more of that soon, but a huge thank you to the team for inviting me to be a part of this and to @brittanynielsenphoto for these photos! I rarely get photos of my talks, so these mean so much to me. (If anyone is looking for an event photographer btw, she the best I’ve ever worked with 🙏🏼) Huge thank you to @chicago_sep & Patrick Quinn for recommending me, and thank you to my manager @brandygibson7 & @noahgprice for flying out for this! Having you there meant the world, and thank you for all your help. @clintpulver awesome meeting you man - thanks so much for coming and then taking me flying. And SO fun to hang with @kylescheele & meet you @ryancampbellspeaking - you guys are awesome and it’s honor to share a stage with you 🙏🏼🙏🏼

Checked off a bucket list item and FLEW my first helicopter yesterday! 🚁 It was absolutely incredible. I cannot thank you @clintpulver enough! Thanks for the best flight ever and for trusting me to take the controls! Next time I’ll get better at hovering 😂🥴

This past week I had the chance to spend time with some of my greatest friends in the speaking industry—both new and old. @benkjar @kylescheele @jon_carmichael & @ryancampbellspeaking We come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and life experiences, but we’re united by one powerful thing: a shared commitment to making the world better through the work we do. Life on the road can be lonely. As speakers, we often feel like ships passing in the night—briefly crossing paths in ballrooms, airports, and hotel lobbies before heading to the next city. But this week was different. The stars aligned, and we all had the chance to slow down, be present, and watch each other do what we were truly meant to do on this earth. Seeing them speak with purpose, lead with heart, and move audiences reminded me why this work matters. I’m a better human because these individuals are in my life—and I’m deeply grateful for the moments we get to share along the journey. Thank you Ben, Jon, Ryan, and Kyle for your examples, support and friendship. You always have a home here in Utah and I’m looking forward to our many more adventures ahead.

I’m so exhausted, but in the best way. After 2 all-nighters I was treated with this insane sunrise 💙