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Bolaji Yoloye seated, hands clasped, looking directly at the camera

Survival. Purpose. Impact.

Life can changewithout warning.

What you do with that truth can change everything.

I survived a sudden cardiac arrest, and that second chance changed the way I see life, responsibility and purpose.

Today, I use my story to help people and communities confront the unexpected, live more intentionally and turn adversity into meaningful action.

Discover My StoryBook Me to Speak
  • Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor
  • Speaker
  • Cardiac Awareness Advocate
  • Community Leader

My Story

From Crisis to Calling

Fit. Healthy. Going to the gym. Then everything went black.

In 2021, I felt strong, active and healthy. There had been no obvious indication that my life was about to change.

Then my heart
stopped.

I suffered a sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

I survived, but the experience forced me to confront questions most of us would rather avoid:

  • What truly matters when everything changes in an instant?
  • Who are you responsible for?
  • And what will you do with the time you have been given?

I had already experienced the loss of my father at a young age. I saw how the loss of one person could affect an entire family and change its way of life almost overnight.

When my own system dropped to zero, those memories returned with new meaning.

I thought about my children, my family and the life I had been building. I realised that surviving could not simply mean returning to the way things had been before.

My second chance had to become a calling.

Bolaji Yoloye at home, hand resting against his chin, mid-thought

When I lost my dad early, I watched our family's lifestyle change almost overnight. When my own system dropped to zero, I made a promise that my children would not be left facing the same uncertainty. I survived for a reason, to turn a personal crisis into a lasting calling.

Bolaji Yoloye, The Black Lazarus
The Black Lazarus: my story
Watch My Story

Why The Black Lazarus?

A name born from a second chance

  • The name The Black Lazarus represents more than survival.
  • It represents restoration.
  • It represents the moment adversity becomes purpose.
  • It represents the responsibility to use a second chance in service of something greater than yourself.

My story began with a personal crisis, but the mission now extends far beyond me.

Through speaking, media, cardiac awareness and community initiatives, I encourage people to have the conversations we often postpone, and to take meaningful action while they still can.

My Mission

A second chance with a clear purpose

Helping people live more aware, prepared and intentional lives

The Black Lazarus exists to turn lived experience into practical impact.

Bolaji Yoloye in conversation, listening
  1. 01

    Raise Awareness

    I use my experience of sudden cardiac arrest to encourage greater awareness of heart health, emergency preparedness and the importance of recognising that serious events can happen without warning.

  2. 02

    Build Resilience

    I speak honestly about recovery, uncertainty and the emotional journey of rebuilding life after a major crisis.

  3. 03

    Encourage Responsibility

    I challenge people to think carefully about their families, health, responsibilities, choices and the legacy they are creating.

  4. 04

    Turn Adversity into Purpose

    I help individuals and communities see that difficult experiences do not have to be the end of the story. They can become the beginning of meaningful service and impact.

Bolaji Yoloye on the steps outside a glass-fronted building, fingers to his temple

Speaking and Media

A story people remember

Bring a powerful conversation about survival, responsibility and purpose to your audience.

My story is not simply about surviving cardiac arrest.

It is about what survival asks of us afterwards.

It is about confronting the realities we avoid, recognising the people who depend on us and deciding that adversity will not have the final word.

Through keynote talks, interviews and live conversations, I invite audiences to examine how they are living, what they are building and what they might need to change before life forces the conversation.

  • 01

    Keynote Speaking

    Honest and compelling talks exploring survival, resilience, responsibility, legacy and the decision to turn adversity into meaningful action.

  • 02

    Corporate and Organisational Events

    Powerful sessions for teams and leaders exploring personal responsibility, resilience, wellbeing, purpose and the importance of preparing for disruption.

  • 03

    Media and Podcast Appearances

    Thought-provoking conversations about sudden cardiac arrest, recovery, faith, fatherhood, identity, responsibility and finding purpose after crisis.

  • 04

    Churches and Faith Communities

    Faith-centred talks about stewardship, second chances, men's ministry, family responsibility, testimony and transforming personal experience into service.

  • 05

    Schools and Young People

    Age-appropriate talks and workshops designed to encourage resilience, health awareness, personal responsibility and purposeful decision-making.

Book Me to SpeakInvite Me onto Your Podcast

Cardiac Awareness

Awareness can change how a community responds

Helping people take sudden cardiac arrest seriously

Before my cardiac arrest, I felt healthy. I was active. I was going to the gym.

I did not expect my heart to stop.

That experience now drives me to help others understand that sudden cardiac arrest can happen without the warning people expect.

My awareness sessions use lived experience, honest storytelling and practical conversation to help audiences think differently about heart health, emergency response and community preparedness.

Bolaji Yoloye speaking on stage with a microphone, a presentation slide behind him

Sessions can be adapted for:

  • Churches and faith organisations
  • Schools and youth groups
  • Workplaces and professional networks
  • Men's groups
  • Charities and community organisations
  • Conferences and public events
Enquire About an Awareness Session

Cardiac awareness sessions are educational and do not replace medical advice, diagnosis or professional emergency-response training.

Kingdom and Community Impact

Faith in action

A second chance should be used in service of others.

My mission extends beyond the stage.

I work with churches, schools, charities, community organisations and purpose-led partners to support initiatives that create practical and lasting impact.

Bolaji Yoloye speaking with a small group

Churches

Supporting faith communities as they become more aware, present and prepared to serve their members and surrounding communities.

Young People

Helping young people think about resilience, health, identity, purpose and the importance of responsible choices.

Men and Families

Creating space for honest conversations about fatherhood, emotional resilience, responsibility, family and legacy.

Community Projects

Collaborating with organisations on outreach programmes, awareness campaigns, charitable initiatives and practical support for communities experiencing difficult circumstances.

Discuss a Community Partnership

The Impact Hub

One story. One mission. Multiple ways to create impact.

Survived and Restored

I share the realities of sudden cardiac arrest and the continuing journey of physical, emotional and spiritual restoration.

A Voice for Awareness

I use my experience to encourage conversations about health, preparedness, responsibility and the unpredictable nature of life.

A Platform for Purpose

The Black Lazarus brings together testimony, faith, speaking and community action to help people live with greater intention.

A Growing Community

Join the conversation through videos, interviews, events and digital content.

Professional Services

A separate, approved service

Looking for financial resilience planning?

Beyond public speaking and health advocacy, I help families, business owners, and individuals put long-term financial safety nets in place.

Whether you need to protect your family's future, secure your business continuity, or review your personal safety net, regulated advisory services are provided separately through Tavistock Protect.

How I Can Help

What brings you here today?

There are several ways to engage with The Black Lazarus.

Inspire Your Audience

Invite me to speak at your conference, workplace, church, school, organisation, podcast or media platform.

Submit a Speaking Enquiry

Create Community Impact

Explore a youth initiative, men's ministry event, outreach programme or purpose-led partnership.

Explore a Partnership

Let's start a meaningful conversation

Life can change in a moment.

Purpose begins with what you choose to do next.

Whether you want to inspire your audience, raise cardiac awareness or collaborate on a community initiative, I would be glad to hear from you.

Tell me what you are planning and how you would like me to be involved.

Connect with Bolaji Yoloye

Also known as The Black Lazarus

This contact form is for speaking, media, awareness and community enquiries only. Requests for regulated insurance advice should be sent to the Tavistock Protect email address above.