Amy Purdy

Para-athlete Amy Purdy never lets fears or adversities keep her from pursuing her dreams

Para-athlete and co-founder of Adaptive Action Sports, Amy Purdy has become an inspiration to countless individuals through her inspirational ability to never give up hope and her determined approach to life.

When Purdy, 38, initially lost both of her legs below her knees as a result of Meningococcal Meningitis, which almost took her life when she was 19 years old, she never thought she would become an example of hope and perseverance, and a hero in others’ eyes. She simply was trying to get back to life as normal. As she continued to pursue her dreams, however, she realized just how much people are capable of achieving.

“Although it took time to realize this, I now know that my biggest challenges have become my biggest blessings,” she said. “We all need inspiration. We all need to have a reason for waking up and living. We all need to know that we aren’t alone in our challenges and we need to see others who have overcome. Inspiration is important and it’s contagious. When you are inspired, you inspire others to live the same way.”

Although it took time to realize this, I now know that my biggest challenges have become my biggest blessings

One way she helps provide that inspiration is through Adaptive Action Sports, an organization that she and her husband, Daniel Gale, started in 2005 to help individuals with permanent disabilities participate in action sports. Purdy herself has earned one silver (2018 Pyeongchang) and two bronze (2014 Sochi, 2018 Pyeongchang) medals in the Paralympic Games in snowboard cross and was also a runner-up contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Regardless of what she’s doing, she always manages to find the motivation to reach her goals.

“I realize that I am driven by challenge, driven to figure out a way,” Purdy said. “With Dancing with the Stars, no matter how challenging it was, every single week, we always figured out a way to make things work. With snowboarding, I am constantly working on my legs and the mechanics of my legs to improve my performance. With speaking, I’m always writing and crafting new stories and learning new lessons.”

Through those experiences and lessons, she has come to understand the value in being able to face adversity head-on and to keep persevering through whatever life throws her way.

“We can’t learn and grow without challenge, and, as frustrating as it all can be at times, I realize that I am driven by challenge and adventure,” she said. “When I look back on my life, I realize that my biggest challenges had the biggest rewards— that the things that were ‘the hardest things I have ever done’ became the most amazing things I have ever done.”

Those challenges and incredible feats have led Purdy to be one of the most well-known and motivational professional snowboarders currently competing today. She didn’t let the fact that she lost both of her legs keep her from going after her dreams, and she’ll never let it stop her from dreaming even bigger.

“I just had to be flexible and accept the changes that I needed to make,” she said. “In fact, I became a professional snowboarder because I lost my legs. I ended up doing what it was that I set out to do ever since I was a teenager, yet I ended up doing it completely differently than I ever would have imagined. Instead of letting the loss of my legs stop me, I used it to fuel me to move forward and find a way.”

Through her organization, and with the help of major companies she’s partnered with—including Toyota, Coca-Cola and Bridgestone tires— Purdy has not only been able to fulfill her dreams, but helps others pursue their dreams, as well. She knows firsthand how fragile life can be and how important it is not to waste one second of it.

“When I survived, I came back knowing that I wanted to live the best and fullest life possible—that I wasn’t going to limit myself. I wanted to explore all that life has to offer,” she said. “I think this is my biggest drive and why I enjoy challenging myself. We only have one life and we need to live it!”

In addition to her accomplishments in the snow and with Adaptive Action Sports, Purdy is also a motivational speaker and published a New York Times bestseller, a memoire titled On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life, in December 2014. She’s truly grateful to be able to share her gifts and her story with the world, and she knows that each trial she’s faced has helped to lead her on the path she was always meant to take.

I just had to be flexible and accept the changes that I needed to make

“When I look back, I realize that it took losing my legs to get where I am today,” she said. “I’m doing what I always wanted—snowboarding, traveling the world, living a creative life—yet I’m doing it in a way that I never would have imagined. I think it’s important that we put our goals in concrete, but our plans in sand because life is always changing. If we are focused on our dreams and choose to persevere, we can reach them—no matter what circumstances we are facing.”

By Angelia L. White