Amy Purdy, a Paralympic snowboarder and author, has always been known for her resilience and determination. While she first shared her story in her 2014 memoir, On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life, co-authored with Michelle Burford, she admits to feeling anxious about releasing her second book, Bounce Forward: 21 Tools to Live a Life Beyond Limits, set for April release.
This new work is a reflection on resilience, adversity, and personal growth. It draws from her own experiences, including her health challenges, and offers practical tools and insights that have helped her navigate difficult times. Purdy describes the process of writing as both therapeutic and deeply emotional.
“It was very therapeutic. It was also very difficult because it’s really vulnerable. I sat down and wrote for 22 days straight, and I wrote 300 pages. I didn’t even know I could do that, but I had so much inside of me that I wanted to say. I poured my heart out on paper,” she shared during an exclusive interview with OK! at Hershey’s intimate Fireside Chat + Luncheon, which marked the start of the Opening Ceremony and the debut of the first chapter of its new campaign, Hershey. It’s Your Happy Place.
Purdy, who lost her legs below the knee after contracting bacterial meningitis as a teenager, acknowledges the emotional weight of sharing her story again. “It was a little scary to put out into the world. They are stories that helped me survive my darkest days, and I talk about using different tools, practices and tips, which helped me survive — but also those things helped me reach my greatest days as well. I know they’ll help other people as well, but I am really excited to have it out into the world,” she added.
Her journey hasn’t been without obstacles. In 2019, doctors discovered a massive blood clot that stretched from her hip to her leg, threatening her mobility. After multiple surgeries, she faced a tough decision between saving her leg or her donated kidney. Fortunately, she has since recovered and is doing well.
Before the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy, Purdy shared some valuable advice for athletes competing in the event. “Everybody’s going after the gold, and I know that’s what everybody’s goal has been the entire time, but also enjoy the process! Enjoy the moment because it’s very rare that you get to become an Olympic or Paralympic athlete and so quickly that journey can be over as well,” she noted. “Just enjoy every step along the way and be totally present, soak it all in, enjoy all those in-between moments. Yes, focus on your goal, but have fun with your friends while you’re doing it. Meet people from other countries — those are the moments that you’ll remember the most, even if you win a gold medal or not, those are the moments that are the most meaningful.”
Purdy, who has won three Paralympic medals between 2014 and 2018 and was a finalist on Season 18 of Dancing With the Stars, emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the journey. “If somebody is going through anything, whatever change or transition, big or small, they can pick up this book and find a practice or a tool that helps them through their life, then I’ve succeeded. I hope it gets in the right hands of the right people who need it the most.”
Her partnership with Hershey’s for the Hershey. It’s Your Happy Place campaign aligns with her philosophy of celebrating happiness beyond just achieving goals. “I’m so excited to be here with Hershey’s, especially to celebrate happiness and what it really looks like as an Olympic or Paralympic athlete — to pursue the things you love, not necessarily focusing on just the outcome. I love that Hershey’s sees that and is celebrating that, and I think it’s really good for our mental health as well as for athletes to remember that happiness comes in all these little moments in between and not really when you finish at the top of your race or you’re standing at the top of the podium.”
The campaign, titled Hershey’s. It’s Your Happy Place, aims to highlight the true essence of happiness — the small, meaningful moments that make life special. As part of this initiative, Hershey’s will be giving out limited-edition chocolate medals during the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
