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.
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.
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.
In May of 2013, Amy was named by the International Olympic Committee as one of the top 15 most marketable para-athletes in the world. Although Amy Purdy has numerous accomplishments, she is most proud of co-founding Adaptive Action Sports.
Created in 2005, AAS is a non-profit organization that helps those with permanent disabilities get involved in action sports. AAS has partnered with ESPN and runs “adaptive” action sport competitions at the summer and winter ESPN X Games. These events were instrumental in getting adaptive snowboarding added to the 2014 Paralympic Games. In the Spring of 2014, Amy Purdy inspired millions of fans with her stunning performances on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, eventually becoming the show’s runner up.
Later that year she toured the country sharing her remarkable story alongside Oprah Winfrey, as part of Oprah’s The Life You Want Tour. In February of 2015 Amy Purdy was featured in a SuperBowl commercial (Toyota) and then released her autobiography, On My Own Two Feet, which quickly became a New York Times Best Seller and is now published around the world.
In September of 2016 Amy was the featured performer in the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Rio. Her dance was viewed by over 300 million people around the world. The following year, she returned to Rio as the star of one of the world famous Carnival parade floats. In March of 2018, Amy returned to the Paralympic Games, this time in PyeongChang, Korea, where she won silver and bronze medals.
Amy is highly experienced and requested professional speaker. Amy’s TED talk was chosen by the TED organization out of hundreds to be featured on the homepage of TED.com catapulting her speaking career into the national and international corporate speaking world.
Currently her TED talk is distributed to new, incoming TED speakers as the #1 recommended sample presentation. It has been viewed millions of times and translated into multiple languages. Since Amy’s TED Talk she has gone on to live an inspired and accomplished life pulling lessons along the way and sharing them with the world.
In 2015 Amy Purdy toured with Oprah Winfrey across the country speaking to stadiums of 15,000 people plus during the Toyota sponsored “Life You Want” tour. Amy is an in demand speaker for Fortune 500 companies, organizations, special events, corporate retreats and more.
Amy Purdy first began snow sports by skiing with her family, but the minute she tried snowboarding she was hooked and never looked back. Since first strapping on a snowboard Amy has never missed a season on the slopes … including the year in which she lost her legs.
Her passion for snowboarding runs deep, as does her love of the mountains, particularly the Colorado Rockies. Amy is now the top ranked adaptive snowboarder in the U.S., a three-time World Cup Para-Snowboard winner and the 2014 Paralympic bronze medalist.
She is the only double-leg amputee competing at the elite world-class level.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
No reviews available for this post.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
One of the most exciting players of his generation, Eric Davis elicited comparisons to Willie Mays as the centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds. From 1986 to 1990 he averaged 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases, won a pair of Gold Glove awards and led the Reds to a World Series victory in 1990. Injuries […]
David Houle is a futurist, thinker and keynote speaker. He has always been slightly ahead of the curve. Houle is consistently ranked as one of the top futurists and futurist keynote speakers on the major search engines. He has keynoted numerous conferences across the country and internationally. In the last seven years he has delivered […]
Katie Linendoll is an Emmy Award-winning TV personality, consumer technology expert, and one of the leading women in the field of technology. As one of the most in-demand technology experts worldwide, Katie Linendoll is recognized by a wide-range of audiences for her reporting and frequent appearances as a regular expert contributor for major media outlets […]
Heath Slawner is a distinguished keynote speaker renowned for his extraordinary ability to connect with audiences and their ideas. With a natural charisma and passion for his craft, Heath has become a beacon of inspiration for individuals and organizations around the globe. His expertise spans various industries, including finance, life sciences, consumer goods, real estate, […]
Autumn Melody Thomas is an extraordinary singer, songwriter, and performer known for delivering electrifying performances that leave a lasting impact on audiences. With her soulful blend of R&B, pop, and contemporary sounds, Autumn brings a unique energy to the stage, captivating both intimate and large audiences alike. Whether performing at corporate events, private parties, or […]
Nancy Giordano is a pioneering figure in the realm of strategic futurism, corporate strategy, and authorship. With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Nancy has been at the forefront of guiding organizations through the turbulent waters of technological disruption and societal transformation. As a trusted advisor to corporations with a combined portfolio exceeding $60 […]
Brian Biro is America’s Breakthrough Coach! He is one of the nation’s foremost speakers and teachers of Leadership, Possibility Thinking, Thriving on Change, and Team-Building. He has delivered more than 1,600 presentations around the world in the past twenty-five years. His clients include such diverse organizations as Lockheed Martin, the US Army, Microsoft, the University […]
Robert O Neill is one of the most highly decorated combat veterans of our time, renowned for his leadership, bravery, and resilience under pressure. A former Navy SEAL with a distinguished career spanning over 16 years, Robert’s exceptional contributions to national security have made him an iconic figure in military and leadership circles. Having served […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2026. Designed using Voxel
