Amy Purdy: Inspirational Paralympian
Inspirational keynote speaker and Paralympic medalist Amy Purdy empowers audiences with resilience, adaptability, and bold reinvention after surviving meningitis and losing both legs.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist in adaptive snowboarding
- Survivor of meningococcal meningitis and double-leg amputee
- Finalist on Dancing With The Stars
- Competitor on The Amazing Race
- Formats: Inspirational Keynote Speaker on Resilience, Adaptability, and Reinvention
- Audiences: Corporate leadership teams, healthcare organizations, women’s conferences, athletic organizations, educators, and companies navigating change and transformation.
- Outcomes:
- Renewed resilience and perspective during adversity
- Courage to embrace reinvention and uncertainty
- Practical mindset shifts to overcome perceived limitations
- Travels from: Denver, CO
- **Fee range: $50,001 - $75,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Living Beyond Limits
Borders and obstacles can only do two things: stop us in our tracks; or force us to get creative… innovation has only been possible because of my borders.
On My Own Two Feet
From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life
Based on her book of the same name. Amy encourages us to take control of our lives, and our limits. The world fell in love with Amy as the incredible girl with bionic legs who managed to out-dance her competitors all the way to the season 18 finale of Dancing with the Stars.
She reveals the powerful, moving story of her personal spiritual awakening as a result of a sudden and often fatal blood infection that caused her to lose both of her legs.
Despite her grim prognosis, she was determined to not just beat the odds and walk again but to create a life filled with bold adventures, big dreams, and boundless vitality — and share that spirit with the world.
Amy seized her second chance at life and earned a bronze medal in adaptive snowboarding at the 2014 Paralympic Games.
Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity we all have to defy expectations and rewrite our own stories.
Talent Short Bio
Amy Purdy is a world-class adaptive snowboarder, Paralympic bronze medalist, bestselling author, and globally recognized motivational keynote speaker whose life story redefines resilience and possibility.
At 19, Amy was rushed to the hospital in septic shock after developing meningococcal meningitis. Given less than a 2 percent chance of survival, she was placed on life support and into a coma. The infection led to respiratory and multiple organ failure, and doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs below the knee. Shortly before her 21st birthday, she received a life-saving kidney transplant from her father.
Rather than allowing tragedy to define her future, Amy chose reinvention. Just three months after her kidney transplant, she competed in the USASA National Snowboarding Championship, winning medals in three events. She went on to become one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world and earned a bronze medal at the 2014 Paralympic Games. She remains the only double-leg amputee competing at a world-class snowboarding level.
Read Full Bio
At 19, after experiencing flu-like symptoms, Amy Purdy was rushed to the hospital in a state of septic shock. En route, she experienced respiratory and multiple organ failure, which caused her to lose circulation to her extremities.
When she entered into the hospital she was given less than a 2% chance of survival, put on life support and placed into a coma. After multiple blood transfusions, and the removal of her ruptured spleen, doctors diagnosed Amy with Meningococcal Meningitis, a vaccine preventable bacterial infection.
Due to the lack of circulation she had suffered, doctors had to amputate her legs below the knee. She later received a donated kidney from her father a week before her 21st birthday. After going through this life-altering experience, Amy Purdy challenged herself to move on with her life and attain goals that even those who have both legs struggle to achieve.
Just three months after her kidney transplant, Amy entered the USASA National Snowboarding Championship where she won medals in three events. Today, she is one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world, and was the 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist.
She is the only double-leg amputee competing at the world-class level. Amy’s creativity, positive outlook and her never-give-up attitude have opened doors to many other opportunities, including being featured in a Madonna music video, a lead actress role in an award-winning independent film and multiple creative modeling projects including a photo shoot with musician and artist Nikki Sixx where her legs were custom made from steel to look like ice picks.
Amy Purdy has evolved into a powerful inspirational and motivational speaker who has literally been seen by millions of people and invited to share her story to audiences around the world.
Her TED speech has been viewed over 1.4 million times and translated into multiple languages. Amy’s story and images have been featured in numerous national and international publications, and in 2012 she and her longtime boyfriend, Daniel Gale, raced around the world on CBS’s The Amazing Race.
She is the only double-leg amputee competing at the elite world-class level.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (30)
- (3)
Sylvie di Giusto is a renowned keynote speaker, author, and executive coach who has captivated audiences around the world with her profound insights into leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal branding. With a career spanning over two decades, Sylvie has become a trusted advisor to executives and professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and emotional […]
- Travels from: Tampa, FL
- Emotional Intelligence
- (17)
Edgar Perez is one the world’s few business and technology visionaries who can light up a room with insightful and inspiring presentations on the impact of cutting-edge technologies, from 5G to Quantum Computing and from Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity to Web3 and the Metaverse. A published author and energetic keynote speaker, he is also an […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Artificial Intelligence
- (39)
- (6)
Retired Lt. Col. Tammy Barlette, and seasoned military pilot, brings a fresh perspective to overcoming challenges with high-stakes mental performance strategies. Drawing on her 20 years of experience in the cockpit of some of the Air Force’s most demanding aircraft, Tammy inspires audiences to rethink their approach to handling adversity and reaching peak performance. Her […]
- Travels from: Tucson, AZ
- Military Speakers
- (4)
Mango and Dango, based in sunny San Diego, are a world-class duo of stilt walkers, clowns, and corporate entertainers who have been captivating audiences across the globe for over a decade. Known for their high-energy performances, colorful costumes, and unforgettable characters, Mango and Dango have become a sought-after name in the corporate entertainment industry. Mango […]
- Travels from: San Diego, CA
- Stilt Walkers
- (38)
Dr. David Hanson is an award-winning roboticist, artist, and entrepreneur best known as the founder and CEO of Hanson Robotics, the company behind the world-famous humanoid robot Sophia. Recognized globally as a pioneer in social robotics and artificial intelligence, Hanson’s work blends cutting-edge engineering with artistic expression to create machines that are not only functional […]
- Travels from: Hong Kong
- Artificial Intelligence
- (46)
Dr. Michio Kaku is one of the most widely recognized and respected figures in science today. A world-renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, and bestselling author, Dr. Kaku has dedicated his life to making the mysteries of the universe accessible and inspiring to people across the globe. He is internationally recognized as an authority on Einstein’s unified […]
- Travels from: New York, NY
- Futurists Speakers
- (33)
DJ Casey Connor is an internationally recognized celebrity DJ/Entertainer, highly sought after by an impressive collection of A-list clientele. Her dynamic approach to the turntables has given her a coveted celebrity following. Casey brings a fresh, feminine perspective to the events she DJ’s for. Casey Connor Entertainment is an entertainment/events company run by female DJ […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Mobile DJ
- (9)
A professional variety comedian with numerous television and Las Vegas credits, Frank Miles died in a hang gliding accident and was revived by emergency room doctors. True courage – he came to realize – is not facing death in daredevil pursuits. True courage is facing life every day. After a full recovery, Frank Miles left one successful […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
