Learn about the power of resilience with a Paralympic champion
2025 ISPA CONFERENCE
A CONVERSATION WITH AMY PURDY
Learn about the power of resilience with a Paralympic champion
KEYNOTE LINEUP The 2025 ISPA Conference will feature a prominent keynote speaker each day when we gather next March 11-13 in Colorado Springs , Colorado . Read profiles of other headline presenters :
DAY ONE : Amy Purdy
DAY TWO : Will Guidara and Christina Tosi ( profile coming in February Pulse )
DAY THREE : Peter Katz
( see October / November Pulse , page 48 )
MEET AMY PURDY
AMY PURDY , A THREE-TIME PARALYMPIC MEDALIST and trailblazer for individuals with physical disabilities , returns to inspire the spa community at ISPA ’ s 35th anniversary event . As the then-most decorated Paralympic snowboarder in U . S . history , Purdy co-founded Adaptive Action Sports , an organization that helped to introduce snowboarding to the Paralympic Games . Beyond sports , she has made her mark in entertainment , appearing on “ Dancing with the Stars ” and “ The Amazing Race ” and co-authoring the best-selling memoir On My Own Two Feet . After she lost both legs to meningococcal meningitis , Purdy ’ s resilience and determination have inspired millions worldwide , proving that with the right mindset , it ’ s possible to overcome even the most daunting challenges . Purdy was a favorite of ISPA Conference attendees when she last spoke to members in 2015 .
Pulse : You began your working career as a massage therapist , esthetician , and makeup artist . Did your spa industry experiences influence your future careers ? Amy Purdy : Yes ! Self-care is ingrained in me from being in a spa environment through the majority of my 20s . I understand the importance of recovery , nutrition and movement , which I learned when I worked for Canyon Ranch . I was a massage therapist before I ever became an athlete . I also understand muscles and have always applied that knowledge to my athletics . So , my spa experience really helped me optimally train my body and recover .
Speaking is actually similar to performing as an athlete . I have to take care of myself as a speaker in the same way I did as an athlete so I can show my best self . I have to eat nutritious food , sleep well , relax and listen to my body , warm up and ultimately give myself time to recover after I speak . I ’ ve learned proper preparation and recovery are equally as important when performing on stage or on the mountain .
PULSE n DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025 34