1241. Paralympian Amy Purdy on Surviving the Impossible + How Visualization Builds Resilience

1241. Paralympian Amy Purdy on Surviving the Impossible + How Visualization Builds Resilience

Author: Heal Squad March 10, 2026 Duration: 49:55
Hey Heal Squad! What do you do when life changes in an instant? Today we’re finding out from someone who knows exactly what that feels like: Amy Purdy. Amy is a three-time Paralympic medalist, professional snowboarder, motivational speaker, and author. Her new book Bounce Forward: 21 Tools to Live a Life Beyond Limits (out April 14th) not only details Amy’s fight for her life at 19, when bacterial meningitis left her with a 2% chance of survival and led to the loss of both of her legs, but also the devastating health crisis years later that once again threatened her mobility. But instead of letting those moments define her limits, Amy rebuilt her life using the same mindset tools she now shares in Bounce Forward. Amy opens up about the mindset shifts that helped her move from survival to strength, including the power of visualization, and learning how to stay fully present when life feels overwhelming (like not being able to be on a snowboard for the past 7 years!). With the Paralympics happening right now, this conversation is a powerful reminder of the determination, resilience, and gold-medal mindset it takes to rise again when the odds feel stacked against you. HEALERS & HEAL LINERS Visualization can support both performance and healing: Amy used daily visualization, imagining snowboarding, and running again, to help her body recover during her most difficult medical battles. Your relationship with your body matters: One of Amy’s most powerful practices is shifting from criticizing the body to appreciating it, even writing letters of gratitude to the body for everything it continues to do. HEAL SQUAD SOCIALS IG: https://www.instagram.com/healsquad/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healsquadxmaria HEAL SQUAD RESOURCES: Heal Squad Website:https://www.healsquad.com/ Heal Squad x Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/HealSquad/membership Maria Menounos Website: https://www.mariamenounos.com My Curated Macy’s Page: https://stylecrew.macys.com/@mariamenounos EMR-Tek Red Light: https://emr-tek.com/discount/Maria30 for 30% off Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/host AUDIBLE:  https://audible.com/healsquad AG1: drinkag1.com/healsquad  GUEST RESOURCES: Follow Amy Purdy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amypurdygurl/?hl=en Pre-Order Bounce Forward: 21 Tools to Live a Life Beyond Limits: https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Forward-Tools-Beyond-Limits/dp/B0GBZNYTGB/ Website: https://amypurdy.com/ ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS: Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos’ passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life. ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS: A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life. DISCLAIMER: This Podcast and all related content (published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company’s Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.

There’s a raw honesty to Heal Squad x Maria Menounos that comes from a place few hosts can genuinely claim. Maria Menounos doesn’t just discuss wellness from a theoretical standpoint; she’s lived through the kind of health crises that redefine a life-a personal brain tumor, pancreatic cancer, diabetes, infertility, and caring for her mother through a similar illness. She channels those profound experiences into every conversation, transforming her survival into a practical, empowering resource for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their own health. This daily podcast feels like a trusted friend cutting through the noise, offering clarity on everything from mental resilience and physical fitness to the nuanced realities of chronic conditions and preventive care. You’ll hear from leading experts and compassionate voices, but always filtered through Maria’s perspective as an Emmy-winning journalist and bestselling author who knows how to ask the real questions. The goal isn’t perfection, but progress-actionable steps and relatable stories that make taking control of your well-being feel possible, not intimidating. Tune in for a candid, grounded approach to healing that acknowledges the struggles while consistently pointing toward sustainable solutions and hope.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Heal Squad x Maria Menounos
Podcast Episodes
1226. Maria's Life Upgrade Hacks + A Deep Reality Check [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:18
Hey Heal Squad! It’s time for another What Worked This Week… and this one starts with the little things making Maria’s life way easier right now. Think genius travel hacks (carry-on only?!), the cutest pajamas ever, and…
Potluck Saturday: Letting Go of Obligation (Saturday Set Up) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:20
Happy Potluck Saturday, Heal Squad. Today’s conversation with Kev and Anne starts with a dream… and turns into something much bigger. A BIG realization about obligation, over-functioning, and the roles we keep carrying l…
RGF Ep. 259: You’re Tired for the Wrong Reason [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
Happy Regular Guy Friday, Heal Squad! This week, Kev shares a few real-life lessons that hit deeper than expected… why going after what truly gives you joy is often the fastest path to clarity, energy, and purpose. How m…
1225. The Daily Practice to Clear Your Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:33
Hey Heal Squad! You’ve heard it many times from us before, but when you change your thoughts, you can truly begin to change your life. This throwback episode dives into Maria’s tips on how to stop the negative thought sp…
1223. Why You Feel “Out of Flow” + How to Fix It w/ David Nurse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Hey Heal Squad! What does it actually mean to be “in flow” and can we get there more often on purpose? In this episode, bestselling author and performance coach David Nurse breaks down the science of flow, what’s happeni…
1222. How Maria Reset Her Focus With AI & Movement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
Hey Heal Squad! Today Maria is telling us all about What Worked This Week! And yup, it’s exactly what it sounds like: a real-time peek into the tools, habits, and tiny upgrades that are helping her move faster, feel bett…
RGF Ep. 258: Why Nostalgia Still Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:21
Happy Friday, Heal Squad! It’s a Regular Guy Friday that starts with the Go-Go’s, turns into a Lifesaver apology tour, and somehow ends with candy history, tiki bar dreams, and a little Hollywood chaos. Kev and Anne get…