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Jim Harshaw Jr

Success Through Failure

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Call Jim: (434) 409-0257

Failure, struggle and setbacks are not only an inevitable part of life but a necessary step on the path to success. Jim Harshaw has learned many life lessons on the wrestling mat. Having been a Division I All American and won three ACC Championships for the University of Virginia, trained at the Olympic Training Center and competed overseas for Team USA he has experienced significant triumph and devastating defeat. He relates those powerful lessons of failure, struggle and setback to empower his audiences to overcome their own challenges and achieve success despite their inevitable failures.
Jim is a speaker, executive coach and host of the Wrestling with Success podcast.

Keynote: Failure and the Blueprint for Success

TEDx main2.edit.MiniPartial list of Speaking Events

  • Albemarle High School Leadership Academy
  • American Camping Association
  • Business of Food Conference
  • Cliff Keen Coaching Clinic
  • National Wrestling Coaches Association
  • Rotary Club of Charlottsville
  • Rotary Club of the Blue Ridge Mountains
  • Special Olympics Virginia
  • Quest Diagnostics
  • University of Virginia Engineering School
  • University of Virginia Human Resources
  • University of Virginia Student Athlete Excellence Awards

Testimonials

Failure is the scariest, hairiest topic you can unleash in a room full of big dreamers, but Jim’s confidence, empathy, and intelligent ideas helped us flip the beast on its head. By sharing on his own experiences with struggle and success and providing easy-to-use tools to inspire, define, and move us toward our goals, he made it safe (and easy!) for us to step into the ring, defeat our internal saboteurs, and let go of our fears of failure so we can finally succeed.
Elizabeth Derby
Brand consultant, elizabethhopederby.com

Jim hit a homerun when he spoke to my engineering class at the University of Virginia.  In his professional, athletic, and family lives Jim has exemplified the attributes needed for success.  I encourage everyone with the opportunity to consider him for a speaker on the topics of leadership, communication, and the value of failure.
Ross Thomas, PhD.
Adjunct professor, University of Virginia School of Engineering

We were looking for someone who could not only lead a goal-oriented workshop for the inaugural Business of Food Conference, but who was also engaging and knowledgeable enough to serve as the day’s MC, weaving together the agenda throughout the day for all the attendees by motivating and inspiring them to maximize their experience and take-aways.  We were very pleased – Jim was all that and so much more!  
Betty Hoge
Director, Central Virginia Small Business Development Center

Your presentation spoke volumes to me. While the idea is simple, we learn from our mistakes, life, work and experiences do not always lend itself to this philosophy. The idea of failure is an important component of education and while we place such significance on test scores, graduation rates, and having the highest GPA; I was reminded failures are the most important part of the equation. Furthermore, we must allow them to become socially acceptable in education.  Until we do so, we will continue to see today’s youth struggle to reach a level of perfection that is not sustainable. Thank you for your inspiring words!
Jill Dahl
Principal, Charlottesville High School

I can’t give you enough praise for today.  My students were inspired. I was inspired.  I don’t know if you realize the power of your presentation but it is real.  I love the way you get your message across through your stories; my students were hanging on every word.
Steve Foutz
Founder, Albemarle Leadership Academy

Latest Posts

TEDx speaker, Jim Harshaw, Jr. (left), Endurance athlete, Travis Macy (right) (Success Through Failure episode 353: A Masterclass on Risk-Reward with Certified Badass, Father, Husband, and Champion Endurance Athlete Travis Macy)

#353 A Masterclass on Risk-Reward with Certified Badass, Father, Husband, and Champion Endurance Athlete Travis Macy

The path to success is riddled with risk. I invited the one and only Travis Macy to share with you true stories of success and failure and how to leverage risk for greater success. Travis Macy is a speaker, coach, professional endurance athlete, and author of “The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion’s 8 Core Principles […]

A pavement with a swerving tire marks (Success Through Failure episode 352: 3 Essential Tips for Staying on Track (Even When the Track is Always Changing))

#352 3 Essential Tips for Staying on Track (Even When the Track is Always Changing)

How do you manage to stay on track, maintain consistency, and keep things in balance when the winds of change are always blowing. Listen in as I reveal 3 ways to manage change and stay on track in your ever-evolving world. Do you have moments in life where you feel out of rhythm? Like change […]

"The Leader's Mind" authors Jim Afremow and Phil White (Success Through Failure episode 351: Jim Afremow and Phil White: Inside the Minds of Great Leaders and How to Become One)

#351 Jim Afremow and Phil White: Inside the Minds of Great Leaders and How to Become One

What does it take to be a great leader? Dr. Jim Afremow and Phil White take you inside the minds of some of the greatest leaders in history and discover how they prepare, perform, and prevail There are already hundreds of leadership experts (preaching almost the same ideas) out there, but Dr. Jim Afremow and […]

A runway with the word "success" written on the concrete (Success Through Failure episode 350: The Secret to Success That Nobody is Talking About and How to Leverage it for Outsized Results)

#350 The Secret to Success That Nobody is Talking About and How to Leverage it for Outsized Results

The secret to success that world-class performers swear by is basic and simple yet overlooked.  Ever since I was wrestling in college, I’ve been looking for the secret to success. I traveled to attend summer camps, trained at the Olympic training center, worked with amazing coaches. Eventually I went into coaching, then to major gift […]

"Bluefishing" author and coach Steve Sims (Success Through Failure episode 349: Outlandish Relationship Building Ideas That Land Billionaire Clients For Steve Sims)

#349 Outlandish Relationship Building Ideas That Land Billionaire Clients For Steve Sims

One episode with Steve Sims is simply not enough! This time, Steve is back on the show to explain how something “stupid” may actually be brilliant! Ever heard of someone who’s worked with Sir Elton John or Elon Musk, sent people down to see the wreck of the Titanic on the sea bed or closed […]

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About me

Jim Harshaw Jr is a personal performance coach and executive life coach who helps people create the systems, habits, and routines of elite performers through his exclusive program called Reveal Your Path.
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