In this episode of Passion Struck, John R. Miles sits down with Paralympic medalist and bestselling author Amy Purdy to discuss resilience, adversity, gratitude, and reinvention. Amy shares the story of surviving meningococcal meningitis at age 19, losing both legs below the knee, rebuilding her life through adaptive snowboarding, and later facing another devastating health crisis that inspired her new book Bounce Forward. The conversation explores how to transform grief into hope, navigate uncertainty, build emotional resilience, and create meaning through hardship.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Amy Purdy transformed unimaginable adversity into purpose and possibility
• Why resilience is about “bouncing forward,” not bouncing back
• The mindset shift that helped Amy rebuild her identity after losing both legs
• How uncertainty can become a gateway to growth and reinvention
• Why Paralympians often develop a deeper relationship with purpose and meaning
• Practical tools for moving from grief to hope
• How gratitude can reshape your perspective during difficult seasons
• Why taking small, intentional steps creates lasting momentum
• The importance of passion, creativity, and self-definition in overcoming hardship
• How to stop letting adversity define your future

If you’ve ever faced loss, uncertainty, burnout, identity shifts, physical challenges, or moments where life forced you to rebuild from the ground up, this conversation offers powerful insights on resilience, hope, and living beyond perceived limits.

Passion Struck is the #1 alternative health and personal growth podcast dedicated to helping people live intentionally, unlock human potential, and create lives filled with meaning, purpose, and mattering.

Full Show Notes:  
Get the Companion Workbook: 

Order Amy Purdy's new book, Bounce Forward: https://amzn.to/4tItuU4

Connect with John

• Pre-Order The Mattering Effect: https://matteringeffect.com/
• Book John to Speak: https://johnrmiles.com/speaking/
• Keynotes, books, podcast, and resources: https://linktr.ee/John_R_Miles
• Children’s Book — You Matter, Luma: https://youmatterluma.com/
• Substack: https://www.theignitedlife.net/

Support the Movement: https://startmattering.com/. Every human deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they matter. Wear it. Live it. Show it.

Disclaimer

The Passion Struck podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Passion Struck or its affiliates. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.