SUGGESTED INTRODUCTION OPTION 1

Janine Shepherd started as one of Australia’s elite athletes, poised to represent her nation in the Winter Olympics. But life had other plans; a near-fatal accident forever altered her path.

Many might have seen this as an end, but it was a transformation for Janine. She rebuilt herself, journeying back from the brink in a tale of resilience that has inspired millions globally.

Her TEDx talk, ‘A Broken Body is not a Broken Person’ which has been viewed by millions worldwide, resonates with anyone who has faced adversity. An acclaimed author, her story has been adapted for the big screen, further extending its reach.

But Janine’s impact doesn’t stop there. She has been honoured with an Order of Australia and has left indelible marks on stages worldwide as a top motivational speaker.

Today, she’s here to share her remarkable journey and inspire us to recognize our potential, even in the face of adversity. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m thrilled to introduce Janine Shepherd.

SUGGESTED INTRODUCTION OPTION 2

Janine Shepherd’s story is that of the classic hero’s journey. As national champion skier, Janine was one of Australia’s best hopes in the Calgary Winter Olympics. But an accident while training cut short Janine’s future as an athlete, and nearly ended her life. Paralyzed and in hospital for close to six months, she defied the medical odds by not only learning to walk again, but by creating anentirely new life in a most remarkable way.

Janine’s life story has been featured on ’60 minutes’ and ‘This is Your Life’. Her first book, “Never Tell Me Never,” was made into a feature length film, and she has since written five other books including her recently-released memoir entitled “Defiant.” Her TED talk, A Broken Body is not a Broken Person, has been viewed nearly 2 million times and continues to be featured as a favorite on TED.com.

Janine has been awarded her country’s highest civilian acclaim, the Order of Australia, in recognition of her service to the Community and tireless work to raise awareness of Spinal Cord injury and research. She also serves as ambassador for Red Bull, Wings for Life, and Spinal Cure Australia. Today Janine is in demand as one of the world’s top inspirational speakers, having presented her compelling story to leading organizations and companies around the globe. Her message of resilience and human potential continues to inspire her audiences to overcome adversity and take on life’s challenges. Spiritual leader and best-selling author Deepak Chopra calls Janine a “change agent.”

We are pleased to have her with us today, to share her extraordinary story with you. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Janine Shepherd.

BIOGRAPHY

Janine Shepherd is an inspirational speaker and writer whose books have become classics in the survivor genre. A champion cross-country skier training for the 1988 Winter Olympics, Janine’s life changed forever when she was hit by a truck during a bicycle training ride in the Blue Mountains of Australia.

Doctors warned her parents that even if she survived her massive injuries, she would almost certainly never walk again. After a risky procedure to rebuild her shattered vertebra and nearly six months flat on her back in a spinal ward, Janine returned home to begin an uncertain and daunting recovery. The future she had trained for as an elite athlete was gone.

Living with permanent disability, Janine faced the task of rebuilding not only her body, but her identity. One day, sitting outside in her wheelchair, she watched a small plane pass overhead and made a quiet but radical decision: If I can’t walk, I’ll fly.

Still encased in a full-body cast, Janine was lifted into an aircraft for her first flying lesson. Within a year she earned her private pilot’s licence, followed by her commercial licence and flying instructor rating. She later trained in aerobatics, learning to fly upside down and eventually teaching other pilots to do the same.

Janine went on to build a remarkable life beyond recovery. She became a professional pilot, completed a university degree, raised three children, and authored several best-selling books.

Her story captured international attention and was adapted into the feature-length film Never Tell Me Never. In recognition of her service to the community and her tireless advocacy for spinal cord research, Janine was awarded the Order of Australia, her nation’s highest honour. She is an ambassador for Spinal Cure Australia and Red Bull’s Wings for Life.

Janine’s story has been featured on 60 Minutes, This Is Your Life, and CNN’s Turning Points with Dr Sanjay Gupta. Her TEDx talk, A Broken Body Isn’t a Broken Person, has been viewed almost two million times worldwide. She was also named an “Architect of Change” by Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper.

Her most recent book, Defiant: A Memoir, was published internationally by Sounds True®.

Today, Janine travels widely delivering keynote presentations and sharing a message that resonates deeply across cultures and industries: that resilience is not about returning to who you were, but becoming who you are called to be.

A/V PREFERENCES

To ensure Janine’s presentation at your event is a success, we require the following:

SETUP

• LCD projector for PowerPoint Presentation
• Screen
• Power source and/or Extension Cord
• Lavaliere Microphone, Lapel microphone or headset microphone
• A wireless remote to advance the videos/PowerPoint slides
• Chair in the middle of the stage

PRESENTATION

Janine will send videos and PowerPoint prior to the event via Hightail, and will also bring a flash drive with her presentation when she arrives at the venue.

ASSISTANCE

Janine typically travels alone and may require light assistance at the venue. We would greatly appreciate a volunteer being assigned to support her during her time with you. This assistance may include:

• If the stage is accessed via stairs, helping Janine on and off the stage following her introduction

Due to the long distances Janine often travels, she prefers to arrive the day before the event and stay overnight following the event. This allows time to recover and ensures she can deliver her very best work. Depending on the timing of the engagement, this may require 2–3 nights’ accommodation.

If you have any questions, please contact
BookJanine@janineshepherd.com