WALK ON
by Stephen PanusAUTHOR
INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
MENTOR & COACH
• “Walk On” hailed as “a brave and beautifully written book”…“a must read”…”courageous and brilliant”…and “a story that grips your soul and forces you to feel deeply”
• A featured “Good Morning America” Book Club Buzz Selection and a 2025 Eric Hoffer Book Award category finalist
• Proceeds from the sale of “Walk On” support the Jake Panus Walk On Scholarships, which ensures that Jake’s legacy of lifting up other young people - especially those facing difficult circumstances - endures forever by affording them with the opportunity to chase their own enthusiastic dreams through education, sports, and community
Why Stephen Panus?
Stephen Panus is unique because he brings together a rare combination of resilience, authenticity, and purpose-driven leadership; forged not only through decades of professional excellence, but through the crucible of personal tragedy and loss. He is someone who has operated at the highest levels of sports, media, and brand storytelling, yet remains deeply human, grounded, and values-led.
What sets Stephen apart is his ability to turn pain into purpose. After the devastating loss of his son Jake, Stephen didn’t retreat. . .he transformed. He channeled his grief into service, legacy-building, advocacy, creating college scholarships for those in need, and writing a book that inspires others to “Walk On” in the face of adversity or hardship.
His uniqueness lies in his empathy and emotional intelligence - a powerful balance of strength and vulnerability. He listens deeply, leads with his heart, and communicates with clarity, making people feel seen, heard, and inspired. Whether he’s speaking on a stage, mentoring a student, athlete or peer, or coaching a team, Stephen brings a presence that’s both grounded and galvanizing.
In a chaotic world often defined by surface and speed, Stephen Panus stands out as someone who lives and leads with depth, dignity, and a relentless commitment to helping others rise.
The most trusted, authoritative and influential voice in the publishing world, Kirkus Book Reviews, proclaims “Walk On” to be “a raw, moving memoir that deftly explores grief and hope in equal measure … It is Panus’ unique and sometimes poetic turns of phrase, however, that truly bring Jake’s story to life … The author’s acknowledgment that grief is an “unwelcome topic in our society” makes his willingness to tackle it head-on even more admirable.”
Ep. 85 - Stephen Panus
“Walk On” is a deeply moving journey of a father’s rise from tragedy and a heartfelt tribute to a son’s enduring spirit and a father’s unbreakable love. In this powerful memoir, Panus shares the story of unimaginable loss and the resilience that follows, capturing the raw emotions of grief, hope and the relentless pursuit of honoring a loved one’s legacy. With vivid storytelling and profound insight, “Walk On” is more than a book - it’s equally a mindset as well as a reminder that even in the face of tragedy, love never fades. A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, hope, healing, and the courage to keep moving forward.
The preface of “Walk On” was written by Shane Beamer, Head Football Coach at the University of South Carolina.
An inspirational and emotionally powerful story of a father who suffered every parent’s worst nightmare, yet found a way to turn his pain into purpose. Beyond the grief, Walk On is being lauded for teaching that the pathway to a purposeful life filled with honesty, integrity, resilience, effort, gratitude, kindness, compassion, and service, among other positive traits and values, resides within all of us.
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Sports reporter Lindsay Czarniak raves: "There is no question ‘Walk On’ will change lives... Stephen's messages that began as Post-its to his children are observations and lessons I hope to pass onto my own kids.”
Hall of Fame radio personality, Jim Rome, proclaims: "This is a story of ... inspiration, courage, gratitude and the reminder to always be present and live in the moment."
Best-selling author and ESPN sports reporter, Marty Smith, reveals: "The honesty in these pages offers ... an injection of perspective for the simplicity of life’s truest joys."
Harris Pastides, President Emeritus at the University of South Carolina, sharess: "this book offers promise and hope, like rays of sun..."
Kyle Brandt of the NFL Network and CBS Sports, asserts: "Stephen Panus has done something incredible. He has written a book ... that will inspire and fill you with hope. "
ESPN sports reporter and author, Lauren Sisler, lauds: "No matter the challenges you face in life, this book will help you reframe your mindset and bring you closer to the life you were meant to lead with great intent and purpose.”
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In today’s world, grief and adversity are seemingly everywhere, more so than ever. These universal concepts cause many to suffer and lose hope. Walk On will help you discover the mindset needed to overcome whatever struggle, hardship or adversity you encounter.
Drawing upon wisdom, leadership, parenthood, and a 35-year career as a sports marketing executive, Stephen Panus highlights indispensable values and traits that illuminate a pathway for turning pain into purpose and becoming the best version of ourselves. We all suffer in some manner and no matter what happens or how it happens, we all must ‘Walk On’ in our lives.
‘Walk On’ is published by Koehler Books.
AVAILABLE NOW AT THESE BOOKSELLERS, AMONG OTHERS:
WATCH THE FIRST JAKE PANUS WALK ON SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION (Sept. 2021)
STEPHEN PANUSStephen Panus is a storyteller and mentor & coach at heart — one driven by purpose, resilience, and the unwavering belief that we can turn pain into positive change. As the author of the best-selling book “Walk On”, he shares his deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of his son, Jake, who was tragically and suddenly killed as a passenger in a reckless and senseless car crash at the tender age of sixteen in the summer of 2020. Through telling his story, inspirational speaking and leadership development training, Stephen inspires others to find strength, create meaning, and hold tightly onto hope in life’s most difficult moments.
“Walk On” was honored as a “Good Morning America” Book Club Buzz selection, and its impact extends far beyond the pages. Proceeds from the book support the Jake Panus Walk On Scholarships, which help Native American youth pursue higher education — a cause close to Jake’s heart and a powerful way to continue his legacy — as well as walk-on student athletes at the University of South Carolina.
In addition to his writing and inspirational speaking, Stephen is a passionate mentor, coach and advocate for leadership development, personal growth and resilience. Whether mentoring students or athletes or executives, speaking to groups, connecting with readers, or working to help those in need move forward, his goal is to empower others to hone their mindset in order to overcome challenges, walk forward in their lives with purpose, embrace the freedom to fail, exhibit peace and patience under pressure, and, ultimately, to become the best version of yourself.
Stephen has been a publicist, sports agent, artist, attorney, sports marketing executive, painter, author, mentor & coach, and inspirational speaker. He’s represented an NFL Pro Bowl player and Super Bowl champion, a multiple-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and a “Dancing with the Stars” champion, international star tennis players, and sports television personalities, among many others. Yet, the only title that’s ever mattered to him has been being a father.
Stephen and his wife, Kellie, live in Connecticut with their son, Liam, daughter, April, and two dogs (Pearl and Jedi).
