Cultivating resilience and embracing change
Program Titles
- A Broken Body Is Not a Broken Person
- Never Tell Me Never: embracing adversity and change, teamwork
- Don’t Bounce Back, Bounce Forward: strategies for cultivating resilience
- The Gift of Acceptance: letting go of the life you had to get the life that is waiting for you
- Living Well After Injury, Illness and Trauma: how those in the healthcare industry can change a patient’s life
Janine Shepherd was run over by a truck during a training bicycle ride, losing most of her blood, broken multiple bones, suffering head and spinal injuries, doctors warned that she was not expected to survive her ordeal.
Even if by some small chance she recovered, she would never walk again.
Coming to terms with her shattered Olympic dreams, refusing to believe what expert medical staff were telling her about her chances of any kind of recovery, Janine focused every sinew of her being on healing her broken body and crushed morale.
Shepherd’s fighting spirit was rekindled watching small planes flying overhead.
She made a decision: “If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.” And fly she did. While still covered in a full body plaster cast, Janine was lifted into an aircraft for her first flight. That moment changed her life forever.
Within a year she had her private pilot’s license.
Despite remaining a partial paraplegic and with many physical challenges still ahead, she battled on to gain her commercial pilots licence, her Instrument rating, her twin engine rating, and her Instructor’s rating.
She then went on to become a fully qualified aerobatics instructor. While doing all of this, she finished her university studies; she holds a Bachelor Degree in Human Movement Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Education.
And all the while she pushed her body to mend itself, forced her legs to walk again, step by painful step.
Although doctors said she would never have children, Janine says her greatest achievement is her three wonderful children.
Her story of defying the odds and winning is both moving and inspiring.
Her life story was recently made into a feature film, entitled Never Tell Me Never, starring well known actress.
Countless listeners have been captivated by the inspiring story of this remarkable young woman and her story of incredible courage and strength. It is a testament to the power of the human spirit and one that will move and inspire all.
A gifted storyteller, who uses wit, humor and impeccable timing to engage the audience, Janine Shepherd reveals how our greatest obstacles can become our greatest opportunities. She shares the tools that have allowed her to transform her dreams into reality and gives the audience insight into how they too can achieve this in their own lives.
She shares her journey in an expansive, inspiring and universal way that touches every heart in the room and invites each of us to dream and reach beyond our preconceived ideas of what is possible.
You will leave with a light heart and a conviction that you are able to change your attitude, find the power within and perform to the best of your abilities.
She takes us from the pinnacle of elite athletic competition to the pain and fear of being wheelchair bound and facing the shattering reality of life – threatening and permanent injury…from the exhilaration of flight to the struggle of taking one difficult step at a time on a long road to recovery which continues to this day.
Janine’s program sows the seeds of growth and positive transformation in the hearts of your audiences.
Janine’s provides you with how giving up on old dreams allow for new ones to soar. Full of hope and triumph, her program has inspired individuals in a variety of organizations to pursue their goals, even through difficult challenges.
Her humor and honesty make her presentations fascinating and relatable. This accomplished speaker delivers a powerful message that moves listeners to rise above obstacles in work and their personal lives.
“After the standing ovation subsided, we all wanted to run outside and shout our newly empowered mission to the heavens. I wish we could bottle what Janine offers and flow that elixir throughout the world.”
Books by Janine Shepherd
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