the comeback code
Jake's second book, The Comeback Code, was released February 2025 in conjunction with Allen & Unwin, and is available in all good book stores now!Jake Bailey knows all about adversity - but also about resilience. As head boy at Christchurch Boys' High in 2015, Jake delivered his end-of-year speech from a wheelchair, only a week after being diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer. His inspirational words went viral and touched the hearts of millions. Once in remission, Jake was left with questions: how do young people overcome adversity? Are we born with these skills or can they be learned? And, if so, can we teach people how to flourish in the face of major setbacks and not just battle through them? In search of answers, Jake studied positive psychology, and since then has shared the knowledge he's gained with more than 100,000 people around the world. Jake's vision is to equip the next generation with the tools to meet life's challenges, but the strategies he's developed apply to young and old. Whether it's learning to slow down, finding the humour in a situation, not sweating the small stuff, or recognising the importance of having good people by your side, this book draws on the latest research to show you what to do when life throws you a curveball - not only how to cope, but how to thrive.
WHAT CANCER TAUGHT ME
In 2017, alongside Penguin Random House, Jake released ‘What Cancer Taught Me’, a 270 page account of his story and everything he learnt along the way. This book rocketed to the top of the charts and stayed there for 8 weeks, cementing its place as a #1 bestseller.“Before I got sick I was dying to get home from school. I was dying for the weekends. I was dying for the school holidays. And then before I knew it I was dying in Christchurch Hospital”
Jake Bailey’s inspirational end-of-year speech as head boy at Christchurch Boys’ High School was delivered from a wheelchair just one week after he was diagnosed with the most aggressive of cancers. As he lay in hospital fighting to stay alive, his speech grabbed headlines around the world.
Jake’s cancer, and that speech, became the start of a bigger journey that continues today. In this remarkably honest account of his illness, treatment and recovery, Jake shares all that the experience has taught him.
Confronting the possibility of death has led Jake to re-evaluate all that he took for granted in life and to encourage others to do the same. His book is an uplifting call to action to people of all ages.
Available on Amazon and in all good book stores now.
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"Stunning, Heartful and brutally honest. Read in one sitting."
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" If you want to experience courage and brutal optimism, open this book and immerse yourself in it"
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"Truly a great read. The honesty and strength is so raw and refreshing."
Columns
Jake has written over 75 columns for the New Zealand Herald, on topics ranging from youth perspective to resilience education and beyond.
These are available to access and read via subscription to the NZ Herald website.
