Amy Purdy’s Inspiring Journey: From Losing Legs To Snowboarding
Paralympic medalist shares how she turned loss into limitless possibilities.
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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In an inspirational post on Instagram, Paralympic medalist and motivational speaker Amy Purdy has opened up about her remarkable journey of resilience, revealing she is ready to share the full story of her recovery from a second major setback that occurred six years ago.
The Double Comeback Story
Purdy, who lost both her legs below the knees at age 19, shared how she overcame this life-altering challenge to become a professional snowboarder, only to face another devastating injury six years ago that forced her to “start all over again.”
“It took years of strength, struggle, belief and resilience to get here (again!)” Purdy wrote in her Instagram post, alongside a video that appears to show her working through physical rehabilitation exercises. “I’m grateful I can now look back and see how far I’ve come!”
In the emotional post, Purdy revealed that she’s finally ready to tell this previously untold chapter of her life story, inviting followers to “stay tuned” for more details. The video was set to music by Andy Grammer, which Purdy mentioned “always gives me chills.”
A Life Of Overcoming Obstacles
Amy Purdy’s journey of resilience began in 1999 when, at 19, she contracted bacterial meningitis, resulting in the loss of both her legs below the knees, kidney failure, and the removal of her spleen. Despite these challenges, she went on to become one of the world’s top adaptive snowboarders.
Purdy is a three-time Paralympic medalist, winning bronze at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, silver at the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, and has multiple World Cup victories to her name. Beyond sports, she co-founded Adaptive Action Sports, an organization that helps people with physical disabilities participate in action sports.
Many fans know Purdy from her impressive second-place finish on Dancing with the Stars in 2014, where she made history as the first double amputee contestant. In a recent Instagram post reflecting on her DWTS experience, she wrote: “Not too bad for a girl who doesn’t have feet. If you are committed and creative you can make the impossible possible.”
The Untold Chapter
While Purdy has been open about her initial health crisis and subsequent achievements, the incident from six years ago that she references in her latest post has largely remained private until now. Her message suggests this second setback was significant enough to require another complete life rebuild.
“I’m still taking things step by step. Slowly inching my way to the other side,” she wrote, providing a glimpse into her ongoing recovery journey.
In another recent post, she revealed experiencing panic attacks while preparing for speaking engagements, writing about how years of adrenaline from competitive sports and a busy speaking schedule had affected her nervous system.
“From all the years of adrenaline, my nervous system was freaking out,” she explained, detailing the self-care steps that helped her recover, including prioritizing sleep, setting boundaries, and focusing on being present.
New Book On Resilience
In an earlier post this month, Purdy announced she has a new book coming soon about resilience and “‘How’ I survived and thrived through my greatest challenges.” This upcoming publication may include details about the second major setback she’s now ready to discuss.
“Life is such an adventure, as long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other you will be ok. I promise,” she wrote in that announcement.
Inspiring Others Through Speaking
Beyond snowboarding and writing, Purdy has built a successful career as a motivational speaker. In March, she shared her official 2025 speaking reel, writing: “When I lost my legs and almost my life, I visualized myself standing on stage speaking to an audience, sharing the message ‘No matter what you go through, it will all be ok.'” She noted that a decade later, she has “shared that message and many more to hundreds of companies and millions worldwide.”
Purdy’s latest post concludes with an encouraging message for others facing difficulties: “If you are going through hard times, keep going.” This sentiment encapsulates the resilience that has defined her remarkable journey.
“That’s life, we are always in the thick of the journey,” she reflected. “Once we reach the mountain top we find there are many more to climb.”
Fans and followers are now eagerly awaiting Purdy’s full story, which promises to add another inspiring chapter to her already extraordinary life narrative.
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