Jameson Reeder Jr. is a shark attack survivor, amputee, surfer, and one of the most courageous young men I’ve ever spoken with. At just 10 years old, Jameson was attacked by a 9-foot bull shark while snorkeling in the Florida Keys. What followed was a miraculous chain of events involving strangers, a nurse who swam through shark-infested waters, a faster boat, and a powerful spiritual encounter that Jameson says saved his life. He and his father Jamon recount the entire journey in their new book, Rescue at the Reef.
In this conversation, we talk about trauma, faith, family, facing your fears, and how this young man chose purpose over fear—and joy over bitterness.
Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were:
The unbelievable moment Jameson said, “Jesus is going to save me,” moments after losing his leg
Jamon’s impossible decision to hand off his son to a stranger on a faster boat
Jameson’s vision of Jesus and the peace that carried him through the ride back
The family’s return to the reef just weeks later to reclaim joy and face fear
How Jameson now comforts others with trauma, proving strength can come in small packages
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:10 Reeder family roots in the Keys
06:45 The day of the shark attack
15:00 The miracle rescue unfolds
22:45 Jameson’s spiritual experience on the boat
28:00 Hospital, trauma, and family response
35:15 Returning to the reef & keys that unlock fear
46:50 Speaking to others with trauma
54:40 Surfing, fishing, and shark advocacy
1:06:15 Finding purpose and what's next for Jameson
🔗 Visit Jameson & Jamon’s Website: https://rescueatthereef.com🔗 Connect With Jameson:Instagram → @jamesonreederjrWebsite → https://rescueatthereef.com
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