Amy Purdy made headlines during her appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” in 2014, where she captivated audiences not only with her dance skills but also with her inspiring personal story. In her newly released book, “Bounce Forward,” the paralympian and motivational speaker reflects on the emotional journey leading up to a special performance dedicated to her father, who is credited with saving her life in more ways than one.
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At just 19, Purdy faced a life-altering battle with bacterial meningitis, which led to the amputation of both her legs below the knee and the loss of her kidneys. Yet, the resilience she has shown since then has been nothing short of remarkable. In an interview discussing her journey, Purdy poignantly shared, “My dad gave me life twice. He brought me into this world, and then through his gift, he kept me in this world.”
Purdy’s dance with Derek Hough during week four of the show serves as a focal point in her narrative. It was a tribute to her father’s kidney donation, a poignant moment that weighed heavily on her heart. Just before stepping onto the stage, she was overcome with nerves and emotion, wondering how she would be able to manage all that pressure.
“I remember telling Derek, ‘I feel like I’m going to get really emotional out there. How am I going to do this?’” she recounted, reflecting on her feelings of apprehension. The challenge was not just the performance itself but the deep emotional significance it carried.
In a moment of vulnerability, she described how Hough helped her to refocus her emotions through a technique he called “gratitude stacking.” By placing her hand on his heart, Purdy began to express her gratitude in that moment. She first acknowledged her family in the audience, then the health benefits she felt thanks to her father’s kidney donation, and ultimately her appreciation for Hough’s support.
This practice of identifying things to be thankful for allowed Purdy to transform her anxiety into confidence. “By stacking gratitude on top of gratitude, I started to replace the anxiety that was breaking me down with empowerment and confidence,” she explained. This mental shift helped her move from a place of fear to one of strength right before the choreography that symbolised her journey and her father’s unwavering support.
In the end, the dance proved to be one of the most profound moments of her time on the show, resonating deeply with viewers. “People still come up to me to tell me how powerful it was for them to watch,” she noted, highlighting how gratitude enabled her to enter a state of pure presence during the performance.
Circuiting through several layers of emotion, Purdy’s experience illustrates the transformative power of gratitude. It became a tool not only for coping with her fears on stage but also for enhancing her overall resilience in life—an insight she shares extensively in “Bounce Forward.”
Her book, “Bounce Forward: 21 Tools to Live a Life Beyond Limits,” is now available for readers seeking inspiration and strategies to overcome their own challenges. Each shared story and tool invites readers on a journey toward finding strength and purpose in adversity.
As Purdy continues to advocate for those living with disabilities, her narrative serves as a reminder that while challenges are inevitable, the way we approach them can make all the difference. Through her compelling storytelling, she encourages others not just to cope but to thrive, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
In sharing her experiences with a wider audience, Purdy hopes to inspire a culture of gratitude and resilience, proving that even in the darkest times, a spark of positivity can illuminate the path forward.