Written by Jay Heilman (1/11/2026)

When my wife Shannon and I arrived for check-in at LifeSurge Orlando at 7:30 AM, we knew we were in for a full day, but we didn’t realize just how impactful it would be. We were graciously provided with Ultimate level tickets, which put us in the best seats in the house. Being that close to the action set the tone for an incredible experience that blended faith, business, and personal growth seamlessly.

A Phenomenal Lineup

The roster of speakers was nothing short of world-class, featuring experts in ministry, the stock market, real estate, and leadership. We heard from John C. Maxwell, Ed Mylett, Tim Tebow, Craig Groeschel, Sage Steele, Michael Jr., Anne Beiler, Steve Champa, James Smith, and the Benham Brothers. The atmosphere was lifted even higher by the musical talents of Donnie Bolden Jr. and Noah Harrison & Bethany Wohrle of Bethel Worship.

What stood out most was how personal the speakers were. They didn’t just lecture; they shared stories that hit close to home.

Personal Highlights & Inspiration

For me, Ed Mylett was arguably the favorite of the day. His testimony of growing up with a father struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, to finding immense success and wealth, was powerful. But what resonated most was how he gave Jesus all the credit for his life, including the restoration of his relationship with his father.

Craig Groeschel was another standout. I’ve attended classes and workshops at my home church based on his books Chazown and Winning the War in Your Mind, so seeing him live was a tremendous inspiration.

We also loved the humor and heart brought by the Benham Brothers, sharing their journey from the Red Sox and Orioles organizations to entrepreneurship.

Sage Steele was fantastic as well. She spoke about the incredible influence of her father, as well as her former colleague and friend, the late great Stuart Scott. She shared how Scott was one of her biggest inspirations and how she is now paving the way for women and standing up for yourself.

Then there was Anne Beiler, the founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. Her story is heartbreaking yet triumphant—a young Amish girl with an 8th-grade education becoming one of the most successful restaurateurs of all time.

The Surprise of the Day

The biggest surprise for me was James Smith. By all appearances, he didn’t seem to “fit” the mold of the other speakers, but he delivered an incredible, non-apologetic, and often hilarious look at the financial world. He spoke on how banks and institutions take advantage of people and offered simple solutions to secure a financial future. Most importantly, he reminded us to put the Master (Jesus) first and not get wrapped up in mundane obsessions—specifically calling out our obsession with sports!

Leadership and Legends

I was really looking forward to hearing John C. Maxwell. His book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, has been vital for me as a leader in our ministry at TCE and in my recent ventures into PR and marketing. He was surprisingly funny and gave us a preview of his new book coming in March, focusing on the importance of keeping success and failure side-by-side.

Tim Tebow closed out the set with an encouraging message about his competitive roots in college football and baseball. Shannon was especially excited for this, as she has read all his books, including his latest release, Look Again.

The Ultimate Experience: Meeting the Speakers

Because of our Ultimate tickets, we had the privilege of meeting Tim Tebow and Dr. Maxwell after the event. While I had met Tebow back at the 2011 Dove Awards, this was a huge moment for Shannon. As a massive Gators and Tebow fan, meeting him was at the top of her bucket list. Seeing the huge smile on her face as she got her picture taken was a highlight of the day.

We also met Anne Beiler, who was lovely. She gave us some of her signature cinnamon sugar pretzels and shared her excitement about an upcoming film regarding her journey.

The Most Important Moment

While the business advice was excellent, the heartbeat of LifeSurge was clearly the Gospel. LifeSurge President Shawn Marcell led a moving segment presenting the need for salvation. He made it clear that knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior is the most important decision anyone can make. Watching hundreds of hands go up around the room to accept Christ solidified for me what this organization truly stands for.

Addressing the Rumors

Before attending, I had read some comments on social media claiming LifeSurge is a “scam” or just a high-pressure sales pitch for classes. I want to address this directly: While they do offer classes on the stock market and real estate, it was a minimal part of the day. At no point did we feel pressured. The value we received from the speakers far outweighed the brief mentions of their educational programs.

Final Thoughts

If LifeSurge comes to your town, I highly encourage you to go. Whether you get Ultimate tickets or general admission, the experience is worth it. For Shannon and me, it was exactly what we needed to be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to approach our marriage, parenting, and future differently.

A big thank you to LifeSurge for having us out. It is an event we won’t soon forget!