Justin Fatica
I grew up in Erie, PA in a family where I was given a lot. For most of my life up until I was 17 years old, I struggled in school, and I was a headache to my parents, teachers, and fellow students. One of my teachers at Cathedral Prep in Erie, was Fr. Larry Richards. I tortured him along with many others, and he didn't like me all that much. At the age of 17, he wrote me a letter and invited me to go on a retreat. I had just gotten into trouble, and had made mistakes that I felt I couldn't get myself out of. I said yes to going on that retreat. During the retreat, I had a radical conversion in Adoration. I went to confession, and vowed to change my life. I prayed a prayer "Jesus, you died for me, I'll die for you" and I meant it.
From there, I was on fire for Christ. I began teaching as a religion teacher at Paramus Catholic in NJ. I started bible studies, groups, and preached weekly at the school. Eventually I started speaking full time, and the ministry, Hard as Nails, was born in 2002.
Since Hard as Nails was founded in 2002, Justin Fatica has impacted over two million people. He’s been an itinerant speaker for 20 years, speaking in 4 countries and 46 states. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Education.
Justin has been featured on numerous media outlets such as Good Morning America, ABC Nightline, TBN, EWTN, and was the subject of an HBO film called “Hard as Nails,” as well as a 10 episode television series on EWTN called “You’re Amazing with Justin Fatica,” which focuses on the impact that he has made while traveling on the road. During Covid, Justin started coaching for a local Syracuse, NY AAU basketball team. A feature length documentary on the team, and the stories of the players is currently being produced.
He has also gained more than 2 million views on his weekly Facebook live videos since January of 2017 and thousands more followers on other social media platforms. Justin is the author of 5 books, including 2 best sellers, “Hard as Nails: A Mission to Awaken Youth to the Power of God’s Love” and “Win it All: The Way to Heaven for Catholic Teens.” His other books include “The Prayer Workout Devotional: 40 Days of Biblical Reflections to Jumpstart Your Workout Routine;” “You’re Amazing” children’s book; and most recently published in March 2017, “You’re Amazing: A Message of Hope that will Change Your Life Forever.
He is currently serving as the main speaker of Hard As Nails Ministries and serves as the Executive Director. Hard as Nails Ministries
Hard as Nails is an evangelization outreach to young people which has been erected by the HN Episcopal Advisory Board as a Private Lay Association of the Faithful. The Episcopal Advisory Board, helps lead Justin in the spiritual decisions and the success of Hard as Nails. Currently serving on the board are Bishop Douglas Lucia of Syracuse, NY; Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport, CT; and Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany, NY.
Justin Fatica resides in Syracuse, New York, with his five children and his beautiful wife, Mary Elizabeth Fatica.