The School of Greatness Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: The Mindset That Took Her From 2% Survival Odds to the Paralympics
Guest: Amy Purdy
Host: Lewis Howes
Air Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Lewis Howes welcomes Amy Purdy—a Paralympic snowboarder, inspirational speaker, and author. Amy recounts her extraordinary journey from facing a 2% chance of survival after contracting meningococcal meningitis to winning a Paralympic medal and breaking boundaries on Dancing with the Stars. The conversation centers on resilience, mindset, harnessing adversity, and the process of continually redefining one’s sense of possibility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Amy’s Early Life and Life-Altering Illness

• [04:03] Amy describes her ordinary life as a Vegas native deeply passionate about snowboarding, dreaming of traveling the world.

• [04:46] At 19, Amy was struck by meningococcal meningitis, an aggressive form of bacterial infection.

• [06:23] Within 24 hours of flu-like symptoms, she was on life support, given less than a 2% chance of surviving:

  “Within 24 hours ... I was in the hospital on life support, given less than a 2% chance of living.” — Amy [04:46]

• [07:31] Her parents faced the agonizing decision to sign papers placing her in an induced coma as her organs began to fail.

• [09:45] Amy recounts the sensation of her body shutting down, notably the cold and discoloration in her feet, foreshadowing their amputation.

Survival, Amputation, and Mindset Shift

• [14:49] The rapid progression meant doctors had to amputate both of Amy’s legs below the knees:

  “We have to do this tomorrow. We have to amputate your legs tomorrow.” — Amy [14:49]

• [15:04] Remarkably, Amy describes entering survival mode, emotionally detaching and focusing only on the next actionable step.

  “There’s certain things you…there’s no debate, this is what has to happen to survive. So, let’s make—” — Amy [15:04]

• [15:29] Her family, devastated, saw Amy herself exude unusual strength; she was driven by an inner confidence to keep moving forward.

Near-Death Experience and Spiritual Perspective

• [19:44] Amy details her vivid near-death experience during the coma, describing a sensation of floating and a pivotal encounter:

  “I remember looking up…The doctor whispered in my ear, ‘Amy, whatever you believe in, think about that now.’” — Amy [24:13]

• [27:00] Amy recalls being offered a choice—leave with three silhouettes or stay. She fiercely chose life, recalling:

  “I haven’t lived my life yet. I haven’t fallen in love yet. I haven’t traveled the world yet...I’m not going anywhere.” — Amy [26:35]

• [28:53] She emerged with a new faith: no matter how hard life gets, “it will all make sense in the end.”

Building a New Life & Chasing Passion

• [33:14] Facing amputation, Amy gave herself immediate goals for agency and hope: snowboard again that year, help others once she figured it out, and (the third goal, not recalled during the interview).

• [33:54] Just seven months post-amputation, Amy returned to snowboarding. The first attempt was fraught—her prosthetic legs detached and tumbled down the mountain.

  “My legs still attached to my snowboard went flying down the mountain." — Amy [36:12]

• [40:27] Facing a lack of adaptive equipment, Amy innovated her own prostheses for snowboarding.

Adaptive Sports and the Drive for the Paralympics

• [45:03] Amy and her now-husband started Adaptive Action Sports to get people with disabilities into action sports.

• [47:34] They were instrumental in lobbying for snowboarding's inclusion in the Paralympic Games.

• [48:19] Amy competed in the 2014 Sochi Paralympics and earned a bronze medal in snowboard cross:

  “Just being in Russia, being at the Olympics...it makes me emotional because it’s just so cool.” — Amy [52:56]

• [49:43] Amy stood out as the only double-leg amputee, racing against single-limb and able-bodied athletes.

Dancing with the Stars: Breaking More Boundaries

• [57:06] Invited to join Dancing with the Stars shortly before the Paralympics, Amy tackled ballroom dancing with custom prostheses and unyielding determination:

  “I never wanted anyone to say, ‘She’s good for a girl with prosthetics.’ If I’m in there competing, I want to be looked at as any other dancer who wants to do well.” — Amy [62:21]

• [61:34] She ultimately placed second, describing each week as “a discovery.”

On Speaking, Purpose, and Serendipity

• [57:13] Amy’s TED Talk went viral and launched her global speaking career.
• [68:21] She later joined Oprah, Deepak Chopra, and Elizabeth Gilbert on “The Life You Want” speaking tour—individuals who inspired her during her initial recovery.

  “And then all of a sudden, I was on a speaking tour with them…Those are the moments where life is amazing.” — Amy [68:39]

Gratitude, Fears, and Living an Inspired Life

• [72:54] Amy shares gratitude for her health, describing every good test result as a "new lease on life."
• [74:17] If she could tattoo a word for herself, it would be: “Live Inspired.” Inspiration, she says, is contagious.

Amy’s Three Truths and Definition of Greatness

• [76:22] The three lessons Amy would leave the world:

  1. It’s all about love—self-love, love shared.
  2. Use your limitations as platforms to push off, not barriers.
  3. “It will all make sense in the end.”

• [78:55] Her definition of greatness:

  “It’s just absolutely being the best that you can be. We all have different circumstances. It is using what you have to get ahead.” — Amy [78:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Meeting Oprah:

  “To be sharing the stage with her…and the fact that Oprah knows who I am…I just feel it’s so surreal.” — Amy [03:14]

• On Survival Mindset:

  “Survival mode is an interesting thing. You cut the emotion out of it.” — Amy [15:04]

• On Reinvention:

  “I wanted to travel the world…I wanted to snowboard. And now that is exactly what I’m doing—just in a completely different way than I ever expected.” — Amy [29:01]

• On Purpose and Service:

  “Now I realize, no, it’s actually connecting with people—that’s what…it’s so fulfilling.” — Amy [29:37]

Key Timestamps

• [04:03] Amy’s childhood and early dreams
• [06:23] Sudden illness and 2% survival odds
• [14:49] Facing amputation and survival mindset
• [19:44] Near-death and spiritual experiences
• [33:54] Returning to snowboarding as an amputee
• [45:03] Founding Adaptive Action Sports; Paralympics journey
• [48:19] Winning bronze at Sochi 2014
• [57:06] Dancing with the Stars experience
• [61:34] Placing second; lessons learned from dance
• [68:21] Joining speaking tour with Oprah, Deepak, Liz Gilbert
• [72:54] Ongoing gratitude and health perspective
• [76:22] Amy’s Three Truths
• [78:55] Definition of greatness

Connect with Amy

• Book: On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life
• Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/Facebook: @AmyPurdyGurl

Concluding Thoughts

Through raw honesty and emotional wisdom, Amy Purdy demonstrates how the human spirit can transform the lowest valleys into the highest summits. Her journey is not simply about survival but about crafting a meaningful, adventurous, and inspiring life in the aftermath of unimaginable adversity. Her message is a beacon for anyone facing limitations—emphasizing love, creativity, and unwavering perseverance.