My Story
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 a question most people would rather avoid:
What happens to the people you love when life changes in an instant?
I had already experienced the loss of my father at a young age. I saw how quickly the death of one person could affect an entire family and change its lifestyle almost overnight.
When my own system dropped to zero, the possibility of my children facing that same uncertainty became very real.
My survival gave me a renewed sense of responsibility, not only to protect my own family, but to help other people prepare before crisis arrives.
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
My Mission
The Black Lazarus was born from a personal crisis, but its purpose extends far beyond my story.
My mission is to help people move from uncertainty to preparation, from adversity to purpose and from personal survival to wider community impact.
I help families and business owners explore financial protection before illness, injury or loss creates serious financial pressure.
I use my lived experience to begin honest conversations about health, responsibility, resilience and what can happen when important decisions are left until it is too late.
I work with schools, churches, organisations and communities through speaking, cardiac awareness, outreach and purpose-led partnerships.
Financial Protection
Would the people who depend on you be financially secure if life changed tomorrow?
Most of us insure our homes, cars and devices. Yet the income, health and people holding everything together can easily be left exposed.
Financial protection cannot prevent illness, injury or loss. It can, however, help reduce the financial disruption that follows.
I help individuals, families and business owners understand the protection options available to them, so they can make informed decisions based on their circumstances, responsibilities and priorities.
Life insurance can provide financial support for the people who depend on you if you die during the policy term.
It may help your family manage commitments such as mortgage payments, household expenses, childcare costs and longer-term financial needs.
Critical illness cover may provide a lump-sum payment if you are diagnosed with a qualifying serious illness covered by your policy.
This could help you manage household expenses, financial commitments or necessary lifestyle changes while you focus on treatment and recovery.
Income protection is designed to provide a regular replacement income if illness or injury prevents you from working, subject to the terms of your policy.
It can be especially relevant if you are self-employed, run a business or do not have access to comprehensive employer-funded sick pay.
Relevant life cover is an employer-funded life insurance arrangement that may be suitable for directors and certain employees of limited companies.
Its suitability and tax treatment will depend on the circumstances of the business and the individual.
Business protection can help a company prepare for the financial consequences of the death or serious illness of a key person, shareholder or business partner.
Depending on your company's circumstances, this may include key person cover, shareholder protection or business loan protection.
Your family, health, income, responsibilities and business circumstances are personal.
That is why I begin by understanding your position before discussing which options may be suitable for you.
Any regulated advice will be provided through Tavistock Protect and will be based on your individual circumstances.
Speaking, Media and Cardiac Awareness
Bring a powerful conversation about life, 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 taking responsibility for the people who depend on us, confronting the realities we often avoid and deciding to use adversity as the beginning of something meaningful.
Through keynote talks, interviews and awareness sessions, I invite audiences to examine how they are living, what they are building and whether they are prepared for the unexpected.
Honest and compelling talks exploring survival, resilience, responsibility, legacy and the decision to turn adversity into meaningful action.
Thought-provoking conversations about sudden cardiac arrest, personal transformation, financial preparedness, faith, fatherhood and purpose.
Age-appropriate talks and workshops designed to encourage resilience, health awareness, personal responsibility and purposeful decision-making.
Faith-centred conversations about stewardship, preparation, men's ministry, family responsibility and transforming personal testimony into service.
Awareness sessions built around my lived experience of sudden cardiac arrest, designed to encourage conversations about emergency response and the importance of better-prepared communities.
Kingdom and Community Impact
Building stronger, more prepared communities
My mission extends beyond the stage and the consultation room.
I believe a second chance should be used in service of others.
That is why I work with churches, schools, charities, community organisations and purpose-led partners to support initiatives that create meaningful and practical impact.
I support faith communities as they develop stronger, more present and more protective approaches to serving their members and surrounding communities.
I help young people think differently about resilience, health, purpose and the importance of making responsible decisions before crisis forces the conversation.
I create space for honest conversations about fatherhood, financial responsibility, emotional resilience, protection and the kind of legacy we leave behind.
I collaborate with organisations on outreach programmes, charitable initiatives and practical support for people and communities facing difficult circumstances.
The Black Lazarus Impact Hub
I continue to share the realities of surviving sudden cardiac arrest and the ongoing journey of physical, emotional and spiritual restoration.
Through financial protection, speaking and awareness work, I encourage people to take meaningful action before life forces them to.
The Black Lazarus brings together personal testimony, professional experience, faith and community action to help people protect what matters and live with greater intention.
Join me through videos, podcasts, live conversations, events and community platforms.
How I Can Help
Whether you want to protect your family, strengthen your business, inspire your audience or create meaningful community impact, there are several ways we can work together.
Explore regulated financial protection based on your personal, family or business circumstances.
Invite me to speak at your event, organisation, church, school, podcast or media platform.
Discuss a cardiac awareness session, men's ministry initiative, school programme or community partnership.
Final Call to Action
Life can change in a moment. The decisions you make beforehand can matter for years.
You do not have to wait for a crisis before asking the important questions.
Whether you want to protect the people who depend on you, strengthen your business, inspire your audience or bring greater awareness to your community, tell me what you need and let us begin the conversation.
Also known as The Black Lazarus