Jon Vroman

Jon Vroman (born June 14, 1975) is an American motivational speaker, author, philanthropist, personal coach, ultra-marathon runner, and founder of Front Row Foundation.

On June 14, 1975, Jon Vroman was born to an American military family stationed in the city of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. Vroman's family moved frequently throughout much of his early life, residing in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia before settling once again in Camp Hill, where Vroman graduated from high school in 1993. Vroman attended eight different schools over the course of these moves; he has stated that he often had difficulty becoming involved with his peers due to the regularity of his being introduced to new communities. This experience later inspired his philosophy to "live life in the 'front row'" by actively taking charge of one’s own life, after Vroman witnessed a group of ecstatic college students at the front row of a concert, and made the observation that their enjoyment of the show differed from the disinterest of attendees sitting further back. Vroman’s motivational speaking continues to emphasize the importance of cultivating strong interpersonal relationships and building a sense of community with the various people in one’s life.

Vroman married his wife, Russian native Tatyana, in 2008 at a ceremony in Siberia. They reside in the town of Austin Texas, with their two sons, Tiger and Ocean.

In 2005, Jon co-founded The Front Row Foundation. The initial funds for the Foundation were raised after a 53-mile, double marathon in 2005. This non-profit organization works to help people with critical health challenges take part in an experience that they have always dreamed of. The foundation helps these people live their lives to the fullest by providing front row seats to any live event of their choice so that they can “experience life in the front row.” The goal of the Foundation is to provide a Front Row experience that will allow individuals to set aside any physical or emotional challenges while they celebrate the beauty and emotional energy of life. Because great experiences in one's life are remembered forever, The Front Row Foundation focuses on providing individuals with a life-changing memory, one experience at a time.

Volunteers of the Front Row Foundation do what they do because of their deep belief in the healing powers of the mind and its immeasurable ability to nourish the human spirit. To date, the charity has raised over $1,000,000 and has been instrumental in over 60 life-changing experiences.

Jon and the Front Row Foundation were featured on the Today Show in 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD_MJvwD-3E

On May 14, 2018, Vroman gave a TEDx Traverse City talk about Front Row.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DqMeYwJFMo

As the author of “Living College Life in the Front Row”, Jon was able to draw on his past experiences and help motivate individuals to live up to their fullest potential. In 2005, Jon started Front Row Global, where he travels across the country to speak with college students and corporate team members about how they can move from the back row of life to the front row. Vroman facilitates his hour long keynote message at numerous locations throughout America. The message Jon delivers as a speaker of Front Row Global is to capture the key ideas individuals need for their personal growth and change. This is captured through the idea of being a participant, not a spectator. This encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zone and live life to the fullest.

Vroman was voted "Campus Speaker of the Year" two years in a row by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities.

Vroman founded an organization, Front Row Dads, for fathers looking to be more present and engaged with their children.

In 2017, Vroman published The Front Row Factor: Everything You Can Learn About Life From Those Fighting For It. Since its release, Vroman has built on his successful career as a university keynote speaker and has become a renowned corporate speaker.

Jon Vroman once said in his book Living College Life in the Front Row "There are no failures in life, just moments of discovery." Throughout his life he has had many achievements, Some of his achievement are:

• Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities: Campus Speaker of the Year Award for 2012 and 2013.
• Best-selling author of the book Living College Life in the Front Row.
• Running a charity for severely ill individuals for over a decade: The Front Row Foundation.
• Completed a 53-mile double marathon that helped him fund and start the Front Row Foundation.
• Through Front Row College, a subsidiary of the Front Row Foundation, Vroman speaks at colleges to inspire students by relating his own experiences and pushing them to success. He has given his Front Row Keynote at numerous College Campuses.