Recent Achievements 

Jason has been working with KN Group over the past 3 years and has become a very poignant figure in our Business. Through real life experiences from childhood through to the present-day Jason shares the challenges he has faced and how he has overcome difficult situations. He articulates the tools and techniques that he has adopted to help him face the most arduous tasks known to man and how to succeed. Inspirational would be too mild a word to describe Jason’s contribution to our Staff. The Feedback from our sessions is enthusiastic and energetic and without doubt a worthwhile investment. I could not recommend anyone more than Jason to unlock and encourage the potential within all of us and how to be Brave in taking that first step in conquering our own Everest.

National Apprenticeship in Sales 2019 - In creating the curriculum for the exciting and new National Apprenticeship in Sales, I included the inspiration and thoughts of Jason Black in the module for ‘Leadership’. The Apprenticeship is designed to develop the person not just the salesperson and therefore the programme and in particular this module on leadership includes integrity, honesty, resilience, empathy, vulnerability and other areas which Jason epitomizes. Jason was very supportive in the design of the National Apprenticeship in Sales and his experiences with climbing Everest and K2 together with so many other contributions, supported us to develop a first ever and World Class Apprenticeship in Sales which was approved and highly commended by the Quality Qualifications of Ireland in September of 2019. I am extremely grateful to Jason for his support of this educational option for our youth and his continued passion for alternatives to traditional routes of learning.

"It is quite impressive to see a man like Jason coming to Laos and talk to us about his life. We would have never experienced such a motivated speech like his rather than on TV. Jason is a very humble person, who took his very valuable time to share with us, unknown to him, his experience, his achievements. After such a speech, your mindset, your anxiety or feelings toward a challenge are fully charged back. As an expatriate in Laos, my view is different than the one from the locals but to them, hearing the story of Jason Black with video to help the understanding of that situation, climbing K2, was just fabulous. They will remember it for long long time."

I first came across Jason Black on a Newstalk interview following his successful ascent of K2 in the Himalayas. As an armchair mountaineer myself, his description and photographs of his exploits on the world’s most dangerous mountain blew me away, his story describing how he overcame a wretched schoolhood at the hands of a bully left me and my colleagues struggling to understand. In my capacity as Chairman of the Irish Society of Insolvency Practitioners I invited Jason to tell his story to our members at our annual summer social event. There were gasps, tears and plenty of questions as Jason’s story struck a chord with many present. His presentation delivered using slides illustrating his exploits was accompanied by a powerful narrative. Though not obliged to Jason stayed with us that evening and did not leave until he had spoken to every member of our group about 70 in total something no previous presenter had done. Our members were truly blown away. There is an amazing human side to Jason’s story and his achievements and an afternoon or evening in his company is not to be missed.

Jason Black presented to our business customers, management and staff, it was inspiring and an eye opener. Jason carries a passion with him that I have not seen in many people, a determined and a down to earth person who came from nothing to become an inspiration to others to move forward even in tragic and sad events, and yes in life you must go on as they say and you showed this to us all, a man with a heart of Gold. Wish there were more like yourself Jason – some people can only dream of what you have achieved and created this is your time and I would be happy to listen again and again on your great adventure. This gives people an opportunity to say "let me try and see what I can achieve in Life"

We had Jason talk to our scout group in Ratoath and to say he had everyone enthralled and on the edge of their seats is an understatement. His courage, honesty and openness are a joy in our current climate. His engagement with our youth members was fantastic and they honestly cant stop talking about him. It is an honest no holds barred talk from an ordinary guy who has reached for the stars starting from the depths of despair. I highly recommend to everyone to listen to this remarkable man.

Jason came to Deele College during last year’s Wellness Week, which places an emphasis on well-being within the school community. Jason’s inspirational presentation focused on the theme of building resilience, encouraging positive mental health and promoting motivation. Highlighting the challenges that he faced both as a student and as an athlete, Jason clearly illustrated the positive effect that sport and exercise have on mental health. The students found Jason to be engaging, entertaining and most importantly, relatable. Jason’s talk is perfect for our new well-being curriculum, which is being rolled out nationally and we feel that all students in the school should hear his story. The idea of overcoming life’s challenges, whatever they may be, is an important message for our young people to hear and Jason delivers this message in a unique fashion, which is ideal for secondary school students.

Rotary Ireland District Conference 2018 – Kilkenny. The final speaker of the conference Jason Black not long returned from conquering K2 took to the stage. No one knew what was to come but what we heard about were the tremendous challenges of his childhood and beyond. Challenges that were overcome with courage and willpower. An inspiring speaker that left everyone in awe of what can be accomplished with a positive mindset and self-determination.

There are very few times in your life where you happen to meet and listen to people that are able to touch your soul and bones with words and inspire you to become a better human being. This was one of these times for me. A truly superb inspirational human being.