Jesse Billauer
Former Pro Surfer, Founder of Life Rolls On, Spinal Cord Injury Survivor
As a youth, Jesse Billauer was blessed with the desire and coordination to excel at a wide range of sports in his hometown of Pacific Palisades. He developed a reputation as a star athlete in sports like baseball, soccer, and floor hockey. In baseball and soccer, he played up to the high school level until surfing became his true life passion. In floor hockey, he had a season where he dominated the league's titles. In his spare time, he spent some time snowboarding, water/snow skiing, and playing ice hockey.
Jesse Billauer started surfing around the age of nine. It was his brother Josh and friend John Hearne who first exposed him to the ocean. It was love at first sight. Before long, surfing became his passion, often surfing at spots like Point Mugu Military Base, Zuma, and Supertubes. By the mid-90s, Surfer magazine named him one of the Top 100 up-and-coming surfers in the world. His competitive surfing career included international competitions in locations like Hawaii, Tahiti, Indonesia, Mexico, and Costa Rica. At age 16, he became one of the youngest members of the California State Lifeguard team, competing against much older peers in various contests.
The trajectory of his life shifted dramatically following a spinal cord injury while surfing in 1996, which left him quadriplegic. Despite this, Jesse Billauer founded the non-profit Life Rolls On Foundation, which later merged with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation in 2009. His entry into public speaking was motivated by a desire to share his life experiences, particularly his journey of overcoming adversity and embracing life fully. He covers diverse topics such as motivation, empowerment, and team building during his talks, which have included prestigious events like TEDx.
Today, Jesse Billauer is recognized not only for his past achievements in surfing but also for his impactful contributions as a public speaker. He extensively shares his experiences to teach the importance of resilience, appreciation for life, and the value of a positive attitude. Looking ahead, he remains committed to engaging with as many individuals as possible, spreading his message of hope and empowerment.
Related Speakers View all
![]() |
Peter Shukoff
YouTube Sensation
|
![]() |
Kelly Slater
Professional Surfer Crowned ASP World Champion a Rec...
|
|
Taj Burrow
Australian Retired Pro Surfer Known for His Aerial T...
|
![]() |
Rob Machado
One of the most stylish and successful American goof...
|
![]() |
Lei Wang
Record-setting Mountaineer; First Asian Woman to Com...
|
![]() |
Mark Pattison
Former NFL Player, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur & Cl...
|
![]() |
Matt Bromley
Professional Big Wave Surfer & Motivational Speaker
|
![]() |
Fahad Badar
Qatari Mountaineer and Outdoor Enthusiast
|
![]() |
Lijana Wallenda
Acrobat, Aerialist, Daredevil & High Wire Artist
|
![]() |
Chris Sharma
Professional Rock Climber, Ambassador & Entrepreneur...
|
![]() |
Jeff Johnson
Adventurer, Director & Photographer
|
![]() |
Emily Harrington
Professional Rock Climber & Adventurer; Five-Time US...
|
![]() |
Lexi duPont
Professional Skier, Adventurer & Outdoor Enthusiast
|
![]() |
Bonita Norris
Adventurer & Author of "The Girl Who Climbed Everest...
|
![]() |
Tim Hague
Parkinson's Patient & Advocate; Inspirational Speake...
|
![]() |
Webb Simpson
Professional Golfer; PGA Tour
|
![]() |
Xander Schauffele
Professional Golfer, Winner of 2024 PGA Championship...
|
![]() |
Doc Redman
Amateur Golfer
|
![]() |
Pat Perez
Professional Golfer
|
![]() |
Matt Parziale
Amateur Golfer on the PGA Tour, Firefighter
|