Living beyond limits | Amy Purdy | TEDxOrangeCoast

Amy Purdy talks about the power of imagination. She explains how our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by the choices we make. Imagination allows us to break down borders, to move beyond our circumstances, to create and constantly progress.
Amy Purdy has been through hardships that most of us will never face -- or can even fathom. But what makes her story so incredible is not that fact that she lived a "normal" childhood and spent her high school years as a passionate artist and snowboarder, then traumatically lost both her legs at age 19, but how she has persevered, taking implausible challenges and rising above them.
Today, Amy is an athlete; currently the top ranked adaptive female snowboarder in the world. Amy also spends a good amount of time helping others; specifically those with physical challenges get involved with snowboarding, skateboarding, wakeboarding and other action sports through the organization she co-founded Adaptive Action Sports. Challenging herself while making a positive impact on the world is a true testament to Amy's spirit.
About TEDx.
TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.
At TEDx events, a screening of TEDTalks videos -- or a combination of live presenters and TEDTalks videos -- sparks deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.

[@HaythamIbrahim]

Our borders and our obstacles can only do two things: 1. stop us in our tracks, or 2. force us to get creative."

[@nayermike3329]

1. Force us to creativity. 2. Re-forces us to CREATIVITY.

[@mariehaentjens2978]

From now on, mine can only do option 2!

[@perrinefarque]

Well said!

[@theairisamagician830]

grenade out

[@wadani412]

"To live with the reality is the only thing that you can go forward" that's absolutely right!!!.

[@theairisamagician830]

ok

[@mariasharp815]

I'm reading her book now. What an amazing person she is! Thank goodness the human race is still able to produce people like this. Amy Purdy restores my faith in humanity.

[@AlmaSdance]

So she has written a book too! I was just thinking that she'd also be an amazing writer

[@mustafajuventino9964]

What's the name of her book and how did you get it?

[@mariasharp815]

mustafa juventino ‘On My Own TwoFeet...’ I got it from Amazon.

[@mustafajuventino9964]

@@mariasharp815 thanks

[@caraleejohnson]

I am humbled and overwhelmed at the courage and strength this young woman, Amy Purdy, has shared. You are an inspiration to all. Best of Luck in all you do. And how you blessed you are to have such wonderful parents! They are great neighbors!!!!

[@gymnast60614]

Why the hell are there 101 dislikes on Amy's wonderful story? I don't understand people who could dislike her.

[@carycary7863]

actually they just first use youtube and they don't know how to use like and dislike

[@palomaaguiar6310]

People without heart... I mean, things without heart.

[@south_island_hero]

​@@palomaaguiar6310 Geez... too cold 💀 XD

[@robertalust5466]

Because it’s incredibly hard to listen to if you relate Especially if you’ve gone through something and just survived to be average and above..but haven’t accomplished anything spectacular.. I’d imagine that could hit a nerve.. Most ppl aren’t amazing..

[@esgehtimmerweiter5030]

What a beautiful and strong human being she is. Truly amazing

[@perrinefarque]

She really is! What an inspiration!

[@XIronCross]

Very inspirational. I love the part about how when you face a hardship you can do one of two things. 1) Let it beat you down, or 2) Get creative and discover a way to use it to your advantage. Amy was faced with a problem but she decided to keep living her life anyways. I find that some of the worst circumstances can , if you choose to, be the best learning experiences you'll ever have. Embrace change and embrace yourself! -Great Video!

[@CPOglobal]

People like Amy are motivating thousands everyday to never give up control of their life, no matter how bad the situations are.

[@AlmaSdance]

I bet she could be an amazing actress too. So sensitive and beautiful inside and out. It's so rarely that one sees a beautiful soul swimming in the person's eyes like this. So magnificient! She reminded of Nietzsche's ethereally intelligent musings

[@Pattybluehayes]

Such a long overdue thank you to Amy for sharing her story. I was in the darkest, place I'd ever experienced after my husband left in 2010. I must have watched Amy's video 25 times at least, always trying to keep perspective on my situation. She was truly an inspiration to me as I know she is for so many others.

[@nathanj5253]

As a person who's in school to become a prosthetic practitioner, this is inspiring and I can't wait to get out in the field and work with these incredibly spirited people.

[@ashleywalker8152]

This gives me the inspiration I need to push it as hard as I can this winter :) the only thing holding us back are the limits we create in our minds! She's amazing.

[@MsGnor]

I started watching this thinking 'what does this pretty & perfect girl have to tell me about limits?' Now I just think you're pretty perfect Amy. I'd love to know what you do with the next decade. Best wishes xxxxx and thanks!!

[@binah512]

Amy Purdy's story was the most uplifting story I think I ever heard. her personal victory is astounding. She is a person that has/is achieving the highest of human potential... Not because of what she has accomplished with the tests that she has been given, but even more so, because of her attitude and he strength. I love her... I am a mom of nine kids.

[@frankcelaya6223]

I have listened to you over and over again to remind myself that I have no excuses not to live my life with direction and passion. You are truly an inspiration!! Pushing away from obstacles is a great way to meet the challenges in our lives. Here's hoping that you be able to continue to write more happiness into your book of life.

[@sacredthyme4617]

wow = AWEsome. (spinal injury here so no use of legs myself.) i have adapted all my life to figure out how to accomplish things; without family such is difficult. So glad you had/have family! = great speech.

[@Hashemechad]

Sacred Thyme I believe in you dear! You matter to this world or you wouldn't be here.

[@ablujan6237]

you are such an incredible person Amy! my best wishes!

[@perrinefarque]

She really is!

[@kimminson]

I was touched by this passionate lady!

[@letYOURwillbedone777]

THANK YOU Amy!!! this is so inspirational, thank you for taking the time and making the effort to bring us this beautiful information. You are a true gem, bless you!

[@changeorbeextinct]

Today while fast forwarding ads on my DVR got a glimpse of her in a Toyota ad and had to back up to see the full clip. Then said to myself is this for real? My teenager said yes she is real. So had to google and found this. Amazingly inspiring woman and an exceptional Ted talk. Thank you so much.

[@kathyfletcher4792]

So inspirational! So happy there are people like Amy in our world:)

[@SkylaJ]

amazing !! "Rely on your imagination and live life beyond your limits !! " Love it thank you for the reminders

[@Fain255]

Beautiful story and message (and girl)!

[@christinam850]

I love TED videos because I find them very interesting and powerful as far as Amy goes she is one of the top inspirational spokespeople for TED and I love how she is referring to all walks of life and pointing out that no matter what setbacks you have at the moment you will overcome them and continue on the path of your choose

[@itseman2064]

I proud of her , she has endured a lot 💗

[@B900]

You are an amazing person giving so many people out there hope. More people needs to see this. Such an inspiration. WOW Bravo Applause!

[@RobertRyshke]

Beautiful and inspiring! She is a marvel and a role model for everyone.

[@aloksaha7288]

Thanks for the wonderful speech Amy !! You truely are one of a kind. Never give up in life is all I would say and follow your heart !!!

[@yazzman1]

Bravo Amy! You are an inspiration to everyone!

[@Ohkapi]

Encouraging, Thanks Amy Purdy. This gives me chill every time I watch this (since June 2012). Just brilliant.

[@mariasohail2978]

Thank you so much Amy. You have me inspired!!!! I am motivated to be a better version of myself listening to your words. Thank you for being such a light in I can only assume so many peoples lives. I can definitely attest to mine

[@falconlara]

Oh wow, this is one of the most inspiring stories ever. Love her enthusiasm and her creed. Great TED talk.

[@theairisamagician830]

Ok

[@hectorwu1256]

I am so Proud of you that you found your goal and career, and stay extremely positive. Don't give up and life has to go on, life lesson. THANK YOU!!!

[@raysnays]

so much passion in her speech. very inspirational and most importantly, very real

[@durantfamilyvideos]

Very inspirational! If you feel like life is too hard and you are having a bad day you should watch this. Good on ya' Amy!

[@magnolia7171]

Happy that I found this video at such a critical juncture of life, and I realize now my situation is much easier , all I need is to believe in the possibilities.

[@theanyang]

You are just so amazing girl! Your story is so fabulous and inspiring!!!

[@ryannie0410]

her talk makes me cry! so inspirational!

[@sudhareddy6149]

No words to say..just incredible ..

[@MrMonkeyslick]

amy you are an amazing inspiration to us all...thank you for realizing your borders were your doorway.

[@TBO123]

thanks for sharing Amy... keep inspiring us... I wish more people could face their fears head on to break through borders to do anything and be anything they want to be. It is IMHO, a real shame that most people today know exactly what they don't want and are not grateful for their blessings or imagination. I, on the other hand am grateful that you shared your message and inspired me to do more.

[@LuneeBYRD]

I like the bravery. It takes a lot to talk about past trauma situations especially when you could’ve died and being close to death is not funny nor is it anything to play with. A lot of times people will make comments on how you should feel or even make fun but God brought you out of that and that’s a blessing because most people that go through stuff like this don’t always come out of it.

[@GreyPeaJim]

Wow! Truly Inspirational! Well done Amy and thank you for sharing this!

[@jimhines4397]

incredible and extremely inspiring. it shows that we set our own limits and those who can "live beyond" their limits can have anything they dream of. thanks for sharing.

[@keyvangeula7807]

What an inspiring story of resilience, faith, hope perseverance, love, support, and finally crisis and victory going hand in hand. Thanks for sharing Amy. I will share it.

[@Latifa1992]

This vid could change everyone's life. Thank you Amy for sharing bravo for havin the courage to tell us ur story

[@ZiporahPaskman]

I come back to this talk often. She is truly an inspiration, and reminds me to have a resilient attitude.

[@michelegardner1988]

I totally agree!! ^ People who are beautiful on the outside as well as the inside are hard to come by!!! "If you can believe it, you can achieve it!" Amy is a very inspiring woman!

[@nachoruiz1377]

Inspiring lesson of life... Thank you you much!

[@MrTree1779]

You are totally right in every respect. I've been through all of it, and had to work through a tremendous amount of hospitalization and recovery, and I'm still permanently damaged. And I know that I'm doing extremely well compared to...95% of humans. But so is she, which is why she should be back out there helping those less fortunate, not showing off her great clothes and new set of designer legs to wealthy socialites. She should be among the destitute and let someone else at TED speak for her.

[@TheCal47]

TED women was really the talks I am actually wanting to hear have seen a bunch and then stumbled on to this one and where i am right now talks like these is what i want to hear and learn form so thank you TED and Amy Prudy

[@jillbarkley1232]

Unbelievable!! She is absolutely amazing and everyone should share this with their children. I did!!

[@caocole]

I was really touched by your talk Amy. About 3 years ago, my doctors thought I had bacterial meningitis or worse, luckily it was viral meningitis and I really didn't know how lucky I was until I heard your story. I have been living with a similar attitude towards life that I have come to call "Choosing Crazy". That was the theme of my TEDx talk that you can find by searching Cassandra Cole in youtube if you would like to watch it. I wish you the very best and thank you for sharing your story.

[@SalLangley]

Fantastic. I have such admiration for this woman.

[@jennywatson-businesscoach380]

WHO DISLIKES THIS???! Truly amazing video & I watch it EVERY time I get a down day. Keep going & believe in the possibilities! Our mindset is the vital part in our lives. Love it!

[@zfiriw9517]

me because it was a homework

[@josefsecret]

What a wonderfull message, thanks a lot!

[@carmenguevara2428]

hands down, the best talk about getting rid of excuses and having the nerve to pursue what we honestly want.

[@kittykisser]

this story is so touching - unbelievable beyond imagination

[@tarikaiesec]

amazing insipirational video, can't stop watching it, I recommended it to many friends

[@robertfoertsch]

Amazing Testimony, Deployed Worldwide Through My Deep Learning AI Research Library… Thank You

[@danas1708]

Amy, what a heartfelt, humble and inspirational talk. It was a privilege to listen to you tell your story. From one TED Girl to another... keep it up!

[@authenticvideovirus]

Wow what a wonderful person..a great inspiration. Thanks Amy

[@Haithamcherif]

Wow!!!! A great example! She's truly blessed to have that kind of acceptance!

[@ArletteLee]

Brilliant attitude to life. It is a journey and Amy is making her journey work for her to the best of her ability doing the possible showing impossible is possible. She conquers and goes beyond limits to prove dreams can happen. Fantastic talk. THANK YOU AMY for sharing your journey with us. A fabulous empowered woman.

[@MrSumeetshrestha]

wow... I was watching this video almost closing my eye to sleep but she made me to get up and give a comment here...which I rarely do.....a true inspiration. Lovely way to think for life..... Hope all people this world be as positive as you are...love u.... :)

[@janucieklak1044]

Amy what a wonderful story. You are the inspiration to the whole world. Thank you so very much for sharing Stay on top of the world

[@gesine1]

The best, most inspiring TED Talk I have seen.... Thank You!

[@dinhphoto]

i'm happy to see her happy...!!....enjoy your life no matter what...!!!

[@tasleemr601]

Wow! I so needed this video right now. And thank you so much Amy for being a truly inspirational example of the power of a human spirit. I definitely will use this video and your example to remind me to always choose option #2- Taking obstacles not as a block but as a way to force me to get creative. :-) You're amazing! :-)

[@ImSoShady]

Her story really touched and inspired me.

[@mths50]

It's so beautifull, You make my day better, tks and congratulations girl!

[@Hickorychiclets]

I agree. Hardships in general are a massive driving force for peoples lives. If you had everything you needed to be happy/content/satisfied from day one til the end I believe very few, if any, would do anything more than eat, sleep, hang out and hook up. It's being put in a position where you don't have what you need that drives a person to bridge the gap.

[@TheLittleSecret21]

I watched this in the class last week. *tear* the most inspiration video that everyone should watch this!

[@YFETina]

Hi I just watched a video with your interview with Ed I'm so sorry that you went through all that sickness I'm sort of in the same boat as you I am a diabetic and I lost my nerves in my feet I can feel burning and tingling in my feet I haven't told my children because I didn't want them to worry plus on top of that my oldest daughter is getting married this Saturday I don't wanna ruin her day With my problems But I'm scared of losing my feet but was your interview And see how Strong you are I wanna Be that strong too.. I'm not trying to get you to feel sorry for me Things happened in people's lives But you have turned your life to around And you're still doing the things that you We're doing before you got sickness. I am very proud of you For changing your story And looking for word everyday of your life

[@elizabethbeth9930]

Sending prayers!!!

[@Ayelet]

פשוט ואווו!! כמה היא חיזקה אותי

[@virginial.791]

Amazing speech, amazing amy!

[@fereydounify]

great source of inspiration.thank you.

[@dsethi05]

Thank you Amy , you were inspirational .

[@germanmoyano690]

Sos una GENIA! gracias, gracias, gracias

[@j5plpv795]

that´s the right side of understunding how life Works... good sharing!!

[@sbillmyer]

You are an incredible young lady and your future is yours to make it what you want. Play it forward!

[@Caramartelli]

My mom lost her left leg 5 months ago to diabetes, it almost killed her! She lost most of her body mass and the doctors were checking for a lot of different things and not that. When she lost her leg she was so discouraged and listless. It was the story of a little girl (13) who lost her leg as well, this young girl's bravery gave her hope. Amy's story encouraged her not to give up (Amy's tale is about not giving up, that's how we saw it). My mom is 60 and now she's walking again with confidence

[@mhdabdulhameed]

Very impressive. She's amazing!

[@tihspidaerauoy8480]

Amy is simply Amazing. Such a strong beautiful woman.

[@anncervales1492]

Living positively! I admire you, Amy.

[@johnkcohen]

Thank you !!!

[@2009saltyscubadiver]

What an extraordinary person Amy is!

[@VisualVortexArtStudio]

I think an easy life can lead to a boring life, if you go through difficult things you are enabled to think differently and use your mind to push through the adversity and achieve what you conceive, I think we should view difficult situations as a reason to create our own story and to live life to the fullest.

[@3bzo]

yes we can be anyone or anything we wish to be.. respect!

[@LeahCohen]

wow! i'm awestruck and so inspired!!

[@rsj3047]

Awesome... and thank you for sharing your life!

[@mohamedamin544]

Thank you Amy..👏❤

[@MrsYactayo]

Amazing story...I enjoyed it very much... It gave a kick of love and creativity... I am still running on the "make your dream come true"...too...

[@hx11hx1]

so good to explain the possibilty

[@mylittleyaya2140]

Omg. Im in tears watching this. I to lost both of my feet plus 9 tip of my fingers. I also lost my left ear hearing. I feel broken. I feel like my life is over. How can i get in touch with Amy Purdy. I would love 2 meet her. Her story inspire me. I need to get back up like she did. But my prostatic are horrible. I cant hold my balance n they hurt really bad. I need her so bad right now. Lord pkease help me find her. N my name is Lucky Chea. How ironic is that huh???? Smh

[@nidhivishwakarma6148]

She is beautiful inside out! Amy, You're brave!

[@sarita1a2b86]

Wow!!! So glad I came across this video!!!

[@emievel]

I've been a big fan since 2007! Best of luck with everything you do Amy.

[@omarioj2421]

one of the most amazing stories

[@capulazza]

Great story, great persona, great inspiration....thank you for sharing this Amy!

[@freememes1116]

Wow! Ten years ago you made this comment!