Amy Purdy

Amy Purdy has a history of overcoming significant challenges, which have led her to accomplish a variety of feats. From an early age, Purdy had a deep-rooted love for snowboarding and travel. After contracting Bacterial Meningitis at 19 and losing both of her legs below the knees, she has continued to pursue her passions. She transitioned her love for snowboarding into a professional para-snowboarding career, which took her to the Paralympics. She also explored new avenues, like dancing and public speaking.

Purdy is a professional para-snowboarder, a three-time Paralympic medalist, and a 2014 bronze and 2018 silver medalist in the Paralympics, making her one of the most successful Paralympic snowboarders in US history. She retired from competitive sports in 2022. Beyond her sports career, Purdy is a New York Times best-selling author, having released a memoir titled "On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs To Learning The Dance Of Life" in 2014. She is also a highly sought-after international motivational speaker and has shared the stage with Oprah Winfrey in sold-out arenas across the country.

Continuing her diverse career path, Purdy was featured in a Toyota Camry advertisement during the 2015 Super Bowl. She also was a contestant on season 18 of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" with partner Derek Hough, and finished as the runner-up. Purdy continued to demonstrate her dance skills when she performed in front of a vast audience during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, showcasing a unique dance routine with a KUKA robotic arm. In 2017, she took on the role of Cultural Envoy, traveling to Brazil on behalf of the Ambassador and Consul General to inspire women, youth, and communities.

With her resilience and inspiring journey, Purdy has reached a broad audience. Through her TED talk, motivational speeches, social media platforms, and appearances on shows like "The Amazing Race 21," Purdy continues to inspire countless individuals with her "Live Inspired" message. She also co-founded Adaptive Action Sports, further solidifying her commitment to inspire and enable others facing physical challenges.