Kanya Sesser’s keynote is a powerful and transformative journey through her life, inspiring audiences to redefine their own limits and embrace the challenges that shape them. Born without legs and abandoned at birth, Kanya faced adversity head-on, transforming obstacles into opportunities for growth and empowerment. Through vivid storytelling, humor, and heartfelt authenticity, Kanya shares her journey as a world-class para-athlete, model, actress, and advocate for inclusivity.
This keynote is not just a recounting of personal triumphs—it’s a call to action for audiences to challenge their perceived limitations, build resilience, and unlock their true potential. Kanya’s message is one of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the power of a “no limits” mindset. Her story resonates with individuals and organizations alike, inspiring them to rise above adversity and embrace their unique strengths.
Key Takeaways
Understand that limits are often self-imposed and can be challenged or overcome with the right mindset.
Learn how to shift perspectives to see obstacles as opportunities for growth.
Discover the importance of persistence, grit, and adaptability in achieving goals.
Gain practical strategies for maintaining motivation and focus in the face of adversity.
Recognize the value of embracing individuality and leveraging personal strengths to stand out and succeed.
Celebrate diversity and inclusivity as vital elements of personal and organizational growth.
Cultivate a mindset that prioritizes possibility over doubt, unlocking potential for innovation and success.
Learn how to use setbacks as stepping stones toward achieving greater goals.
Understand the importance of representation in fostering inclusivity and breaking barriers in industries and communities.
Take actionable steps to become advocates for change in your own circles.
Kanya Sesser’s keynote inspires audiences to live boldly, embrace their unique journeys, and adopt a mindset that sees no limits—only opportunities. Whether addressing corporate teams, students, or industry professionals, her message leaves a lasting impact, empowering individuals to take charge of their lives and make meaningful change.
Kanya Sesser is a Paralympian, model, and speaker who uses her extraordinary life story to teach resilience, adaptability, and inclusive leadership. Kanya’s talks combine emotional storytelling from elite sport and lived experience with practical takeaways for leaders and teams navigating change.
Her work is especially powerful for organizations wanting to deepen diversity and accessibility practices while motivating audiences to rethink limits and unlock underused potential. Kanya’s presence on stage is part inspiration, part tactical playbook: audiences leave with both heart and an actionable plan for behavioral change that uplifts culture and performance.
Kanya Sesser is an internationally recognized para-athlete, groundbreaking model, actress, and motivational speaker whose life epitomizes resilience and determination. Born without legs and abandoned as a baby in Thailand, Kanya overcame immense challenges to become a global symbol of empowerment. Her motto, “No legs, no limits,” captures her journey of defying expectations and inspiring others to break barriers.
With a career spanning adaptive sports, fashion, entertainment, and public speaking, Kanya’s multifaceted talents and powerful message make her a sought-after keynote speaker for events worldwide. Her story of perseverance, courage, and advocacy for inclusivity resonates with audiences across industries and cultures.
Kanya Sesser’s expertise lies in resilience, self-empowerment, and inclusivity. Her accomplishments across various fields demonstrate her ability to excel and inspire:
A Guinness World Record holder and adaptive sports pioneer, Kanya has competed and excelled in wheelchair racing, surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding, showcasing her unmatched versatility.
Kanya broke into mainstream fashion as one of the first para-models, collaborating with global brands like Adidas, Sephora, and Abercrombie & Fitch. She uses her platform to challenge beauty norms and promote inclusivity in the fashion industry.
As an actress and stunt performer, Kanya has appeared in major productions, including Hawaii Five-0, The Walking Dead, and Fear the Walking Dead, furthering representation for individuals with disabilities in Hollywood.
Kanya’s dynamic talks inspire audiences to overcome adversity, embrace their uniqueness, and pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Her ability to combine these experiences into a cohesive and impactful message sets her apart as an expert in resilience and inclusivity.
Kanya Sesser is a trailblazing para-athlete, model, actress, and motivational speaker whose life and career inspire audiences to embrace resilience, diversity, and inclusivity. Her powerful story, coupled with her dynamic presence, makes her an exceptional choice for events seeking a speaker who delivers authenticity and impact.
Kanya Sesser ensures a seamless experience and access to a speaker who will leave a lasting impression on your audience. Kanya’s motto, “No legs, no limits,” serves as a reminder that greatness is possible for all who dare to dream and persevere.
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Professional skateboarder, model, and actress Kanya Sesser shares her journey of embracing skateboarding, Los Angeles culture, and living with no limits.
Kanya Sesser introduces herself as a professional skateboarder, model, and actress. She reflects on the unique vibe of Los Angeles where surfing, skateboarding, and creativity mix with people chasing their dreams. Her first trip to Venice Beach left a deep impression: the community embraced her energy and positivity, often mistaking her for a local because of how naturally she fit in.
Kanya recalls her first attempt at skateboarding at age nine, when she rode a friend’s board down a steep hill, crashed, and instantly fell in love with the sport’s thrill. Soon after, her mom bought her first skateboard, sparking a lifelong passion. She explains that her skateboard is an extension of her body—it gives her mobility, freedom, and inclusion in ways her wheelchair never could.
Moving to Los Angeles opened her world to adaptive skateboarding, where she discovered a vibrant community of skaters with disabilities who share the same drive and joy. Meeting others in the adaptive scene reinforced her belief that “there is no limit.” This became the foundation of her motto: “No legs, no limits.”
Kanya concludes by rejecting labels of disability or cultural boxes. Adopted from Thailand, she sees her only true identity as life itself living fully, embracing adrenaline, and inspiring others to see beyond limits.
00:00 – 00:25 Kanya introduces herself as a skateboarder, model, and actress; describes LA vibes.
00:26 – 01:05 First impressions of Venice Beach and being welcomed as part of the culture.
01:06 – 02:00 Childhood memory: first time on a skateboard, crash, and love for the sport.
02:01 – 02:40 Explains how skateboarding gives her freedom beyond her wheelchair.
02:41 – 03:30 Discovery of adaptive skateboarding community in LA.
03:31 – 04:10 Her motto “No legs, no limits” and how she embraces her life.
04:11 – End Reflections on identity, adoption, and living without limitations.
Born without legs and abandoned as a baby in Thailand, Kanya Sesser built an extraordinary life as a skateboarder, model, and actress proving that limits are only in the mind.
Kanya Sesser shares her powerful life story. She was born without legs and abandoned at three months old on the side of the road in Thailand. A nurse, Mei Chan, took her in and raised her as her own, surrounded by loving caregivers who became her extended family. Eventually, she was adopted and moved to the United States, where she learned independence and resilience.
As a child, she started skateboarding at age nine—embracing freedom and creativity through extreme sports. Kanya explains how she lives differently by using her hands instead of legs, but she never saw this as a limitation. Instead, she embraced her identity with humor and pride, calling herself “half Wonder Woman” for Halloween.
Her modeling career began at 17, leading to work in New York Fashion Week, acting roles in The Walking Dead, Hawaii 5-0, and Code Black, and breaking stereotypes as an Asian woman without legs in mainstream media. She also continues to pursue her love of skateboarding with her partner, thriving in extreme sports.
Kanya speaks candidly about online judgment and negativity, stressing that living life well is the best revenge. Her message to others with disabilities is to focus on what makes them happy, stay active, and embrace who they are. She closes by affirming: “I love the fact that I don’t have legs. I mean, it got me here.”
00:00 – 00:35 Kanya introduces herself, born without legs, abandoned at three months old.
00:36 – 01:30 Describes being found by locals in Thailand and raised by a nurse and hospital staff.
01:31 – 02:20 Adoption to the U.S., learning independence, and finding her voice.
02:21 – 03:00 First skateboard at age nine; how she uses her hands instead of legs.
03:01 – 04:15 Modeling career beginnings at 17, leading to runway and acting roles.
04:16 – 05:00 Roles in The Walking Dead, Hawaii 5-0, and Code Black.
05:01 – 06:00 Skateboarding with her boyfriend, the energy and freedom of the sport.
06:01 – 07:00 Dealing with online negativity; choosing positivity and focus.
07:01 – End Her message: embrace yourself, find joy, stay active, and be proud of who you are.
For Kanya Sesser, her skateboard isn’t just a board—it’s her freedom, her legs, and her soul.
Kanya Sesser reflects on the unique freedom and joy skateboarding brings her life. Born without legs, she describes how her skateboard feels like a natural extension of her body—“it’s part of my legs, part of my soul.” When she skates, she feels the wind through her hair and the energy of being truly alive, unconfined, and free.
She explains how she mastered her signature move—handstands on the skateboard. Having skated since age nine, Kanya challenged herself to lift her body and balance on her hands while letting the board flow beneath her. With her light frame and years of practice, it became a natural evolution of her skating style.
Now, the handstand is her trademark trick, one that defines her skating identity. She says with confidence: “When you’ve done it most of your life anyway, it just naturally comes to me.”
This short but powerful clip showcases not just her athleticism, but her philosophy: that creativity, resilience, and joy can transform challenges into signature strengths.
00:00 – 00:20 Kanya describes feeling free and alive while skateboarding—her board feels like her legs and her soul.
00:21 – 00:55 Shares how she discovered handstands on a skateboard: experimenting, flowing, and building on years of skating.
00:56 – End Explains that handstands have become her signature move—something that now comes naturally.
A: Absolutely — she delivers highly engaging virtual sessions with curated visuals and audience interaction.
A: Yes — she provides practical, empathetic guidance to make environments and programs more accessible.
A: Yes — Kanya tailors content for students with an emphasis on empowerment and safe, age-appropriate messaging.
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