An Unconventional Journey
Jesse Itzler is a serial entrepreneur, globally recognized public speaker, and #1 NYT best-selling author. His unique, unconventional, and sometimes unrealistic approach has driven unreal results. Beyond pioneering startups acquired by Coca-Cola and Berkshire Hathaway — he's also cultivated a lifestyle brand with well over 1M folloers on Instagram and 150,000 reading his 'Free Swim" newsletter every Friday. His ethos and energy are contagious, and wherever he's driving the bus — you want to be on it.

1991
Signed His First Record Deal
After 4 years of open mics throughout college, making demos, and hearing "No" from 15 production companies... Delicious Vinyl offered Jesse a record deal. Jesse credits this as the most important moment in his life because it taught him he could do anything on his own. "If I can be a rap artist, from Long Island, with no connections... what else can I do?"
1992
Wrote "Go NY GO" For the New York Knicks
While every musician was trying to get on MTV... Jesse saw an opportunity to write jingles for sports teams. A New Yorker at the time, he got a chance to put a demo in front of the Knicks and they loved it. The song "Go New York Go" became the hype anthem for the New York Knicks 1994 run in the playoffs. Jesse went on to write songs and make themed albums for 50 other teams as well as "I Love This Game" under his company, Alphabet City Sports Records. The sale of this company to SFX in 1998 made Jesse a millionaire.
1997
Managed Run DMC
Who can say they've won a Grammy Award and got to manage their favorite rap group? Run DMC was Jesse's Beatles. In the early 90s Jesse had a booth at a trade show for his company, Alphabet City Sports Records. Jam Master Jay was there and Jesse stood in line for an hour to meet him. When he got to the front of the line, Jesse introduced himself and told Jay it would be a dream to collaborate with him. Serendipitously Jay was looking for a new office space... and Jesse had an open seat at his desk. One week later they were working in an 8'x10' office together. And as fate would hav it, Run DMC needed a manager and Jesse said "I can do that!"
2001
Co-Founded Marquis Jet
Flying private for the first time at 27 years old gave Jesse a HUGE motivation to figure out how he could make this lifestyle accessible to him and his friends. He and his partner created a jet card company where clients could have all the benefits of a private jet without the hassle of actually owning one. Customers could purchase 25 hours of flight time on NetJets planes for a set price. Within a few years Marquis Jet was doing more sales than NetJets. By 2010, they had reached $5B in sales and were acquired by Warren Buffet's NetJets.
2008
Married Sara Blakely
Jesse met Sara, the founder of women's shapeware empire Spanx, at a poker tournament put on by Marquis Jet. For their first "date" Jesse took Sara to an illegally hot Russian bath house where you sit in a 200+ degree sauna then pour a bucket of glacier cold water on your head. They went straight to sushi after... and the chaos has continued every since. One year later, they were married and currently live together in Atlanta, Georgia with four beautiful children!
2009
Co-Owner of ZICO Coconut Water
While training for his first 100 mile race in 2006, Jesse was trying every food and beverage on the market to give him an edge. He tried coconut water and it checked every box for him. At the time there was no coconut water on the shelves at any grocery store. He saw a huge opportunity for this natural hydration product and he left Marquis Jet to start on this new venture. After trying to start a brand from scratch called Coco+ he ended up partnering with Mark Rampolla at Zico Coconut Water. Together, they built the brand featuring stars like Matt Damon and sold to The Coca-Cola Company in 2012.
2015
Became a Part Owner of the Atlanta Hawks
Jesse and Sara cemented their roots in the city of Atlanta when they became part owners of the NBA team, the Atlanta Hawks. From sports team jingle writer... to sports team owner... you can't script it any better. You can find them and their 4 kids sitting court side at many games throughout the season.
2015
Published "Living With a SEAL"
Before he was a known public figure, Jesse met Navy SEAL David Goggins at a 100 mile relay race in California. Jesse was part of a team with a support crew, but David came alone... completing the entire relay race solo. Jesse wanted the secret to whatever "mindset" and "edge" this man possessed, so he cold called him. Shortly after they got together for a quick meeting which led to Goggins moving in with Jesse, Sara, and their new baby for a month. David said, "If you're crazy enough to ask a guy like me to come live with you... motherf***** I'm crazy enough to come." What ensued turned into the New York Times Bestseller: Living With A Seal
2017
Co-Founded 29029 Everesting
Looking to create a weekend event that pushed people further than they thought they could ever go, Jesse and his partners came up with 29029 Everesting, a 36 hour endurance event where you hike up and gondola down a ski mountain until you've climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest—or 29,029 feet. Fitness giant iFit acquired the company in 2021, and 2 years later Jesse and his partners bought it back (every entrepreneur's dream). This all-inclusive event quickly grew from 1 to 7 annual events across the US and Canada, selling out only 6 minutes after they went on sale this year.
2019
Published "Living With the Monks"
In a world with so many inputs and a "go go go" mindset, Jesse was feeling disconnected to his spiritual side. He decided to live on a monastery for two weeks to learn from the masters of spirituality. Upon arriving... Jesse was given the task to sit in silence. After 2 minutes that felt like 2 hours... he knew he was in for a rude awakening.
2019
Completed the Hennepin 100
Jesse learned the most powerful mindset hack he has learned in the past decade during this race. On mile 75 after battling early onset hypothermia, Jesse's friend and former Navy SEAL, Chadd Wright, taught him the power of the spoken word. By "never giving pain a voice" and speaking only positive mantras for the rest of the race like "I feel OUTSTANDING" and "We don't get tired!" Jesse crossed the finish line in 24 hours.
2021
Founded All Day Running Co.
Believing the running community was getting too serious, Jesse started All Day Running Co. to inject it with fun! Combining experiential races featuring saunas and cold plunges with bright and groovy gear you can spot from a mile away... participants can't deny there's no running on the planet quite like this one. Join one of their upcoming events which include Runningman, Hell on the Hill, and Ice Camp.running for fun.
2022
Completed Ultraman
Some would argue being an under-trained 52-year-old busy with work and family would not be the right time to take on the hardest triathlon in the world. Jesse begged to differ claiming "it's never the right time!" and went and did it anyway. This 3 day event included a 6.2 mile open water swim, 261.4 mile bike, and 52.4 mile run in the desert heat. Jesse credits this to be the hardest mental exercise he's ever endured.
2023
Rode His Bike Across America
When he was 25 years old, Jesse wrote a "F*uck it list" of all the things he wanted to do before he died... his version of a Bucket List. "Ride my bike across America" was on the list for 30 years until he called his best friends and made it happen. 10 guys, 2 RVs, 1 sauna and a private chef made for an unforgettable adventure!
2024
Completed R2R2R
If not now, when? was the conversation between Jesse and his friend, Coach Chris. Realizing you never hear of 70 year olds running 43 miles back and forth across the Grand Canyon, they booked the trip that day.
The Highlights
Jesse has built and exited 5 companies, including sales to Warren Buffett, Coca-Cola, SFX, and iFit.
Jesse is the bestselling author of two books—the outcome of training with a Navy SEAL and living on a monastery with monks. He also managed RUN-DMC and won a Grammy as a rapper in the 1990s... 50 Cent was his intern! Jesse's experience runs deep and he connects with audiences of all ages and demographics.
He's pushing boundaries nonstop. Completing Ultraman (6.4 mile swim, 261 mile bike, 52.4 mile run), running over 50 marathons, finishing several 100 mile running races, riding his bike across America, and recently doing Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim at the Grand Canyon!
Raising 4 amazing kids and married to SPANX founder, Sara Blakely, he's a proud father, friend, son, and husband. In fact, he's built entire businesses off of strong relationships and has powerful stories for any audience and any background.