Janine Shepherd AM

... overcoming the impossible.

Speaker Profile

Janine Shepherd's story reads like the plot of a Hollywood movie. A champion cross-country skier in training for the Winter Olympics, her life was irrevocably altered when she was hit by a truck on a bike ride. Doctors warned her parents that she was not expected to survive her extensive injuries and even if she recovered, she would never walk again. Janine's hopes of being an elite sportsperson were gone. But Janine refused to believe what medical staff were telling her and instead she focused every sinew of her being on healing her broken body and crushed morale. After spinal surgery and months in the hospital, she returned home in a wheelchair.

Struggling to come to terms with her shattered Olympic dreams, and wondering what life could now offer, Janine's fighting spirit was rekindled watching small planes flying overhead. At that moment she said to herself, 'If I can't walk, I'll fly'. And fly she did. Janine's miraculous recovery and subsequent achievements are a testament to the power of the human spirit, and one that will move and inspire all who hear it.

Today, Janine Shepherd is the best-selling author of four books (Never Tell Me Never, Dare to Fly, On My Own Two Feet and her most recent The Gift of Acceptance) and an internationally renowned speaker who travels extensively in Australia and around the world sharing her story with others.

Janine's story takes us on an amazing journey, an odyssey with so many twists and turns, so many deep valleys and steep hills. It mirrors the road we travel in our own lives every single day.

This is a story that takes us from the pinnacle of elite athletics to the pain and fear of being wheelchair-bound and facing the shattering reality of 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 has featured on 60 Minutes, This is Your Life and Talking Heads. Her life story became the basis for the internationally distributed telemovie Never Tell me Never, starring Claudia Karvan. In 1998 Janine was named one of 'Ten Outstanding Young People of the World' by Junior Chamber International and in 2001, she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her work as the patron of the Australasian Spinal Research Trust.

Travels from New South Wales

Client Comments

Janine is a brilliant story teller who uses her wit, charm, humour, and impeccable timing to engage the audience. 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, to reach, to grow beyond our preconceived limits. 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 she offers and flow that elixir throughout the world.
Davidji - Chopra Centre Lead Educator and Dean of Chopra Center University
Janine is a change agent. She has an extraordinary ability to ignite people's spirits and move them to find the real potential of their lives; her story inspires people around the world.
Deepak Chopra
Janine is a dynamo! I have seen her work her 'magic' many times, and have come to realise that it's not 'magic' at all... it's honesty, integrity and communication skills far above the ordinary. Her audiences are left inspired and empowered... and you will be too!
Immediate Assistants
Janine's story is one that needs to be shared with any of us who may be harbouring thoughts of self-pity, defeat and desperation. It should be shared with all as a reminder of the importance of laughter in our day-to-day lives irrespective of our own difficulties. But importantly, it is a story that needs to be shared with all who are intimidated by, or who are unwilling to confront, the many life challenges of today. We remain humbled and positively energised by your unforgettable story.
Sara Lee
'Renew the Spirit' was our conference theme and your story was an inspiration to us all. Feedback from the team was overwhelming. What a truly moving story. I hope participants appreciate how fortunate they are and the importance of strength and determination in our lives.
British Petroleum (BP)
Your inspiring story was a perfect fit with our conference theme and the delivery of the material was brilliant. Your inspiring story captured the hearts of all our delegates and certainly caused them to view their own challenges and obstacles from a new perspective.
Caltex
Janine had the whole room enthralled - her story is undeniably epic, and her delivery is animated and engaging. She clearly had a message to give which was relevant to all of us in both our personal and working lives: go ahead and do what you want to do - never let anyone tell you never, never let the odds dissuade you from trying, and learn to love the challenge. There were tears and laughter, and we loved every minute. I will definitely be reading her books!
PiceWaterhouseCoopers
Excellent. She had them laughing, crying and thinking about their lives. She was the best motivational speaker we've ever had.
Dick Smith Electronics
Excellent. She was outstanding and inspirational. Best speaker for helping our team believe anything is possible.
NRMA
Excellent... Janine's presentation was an inspiration to all who attended.
CSR Readymix
Your presentation was full of enthusiasm, humour and energy. Quite clearly, your courage and dedication in overcoming adversity will have a long lasting and motivating effect on our conference delegates.
AMP
Your story is one of incredible courage, yet delivered in an easy and entertaining manner, a manner that held all in attendance spellbound. We could not have had any better way to end our conference... thank you!
Retravision
A fantastic closing speaker. The feedback from our delegates was excellent. A true inspiration: it was a wonderful way to finish a conference. And such a lovely lady too!
Ray White

Topics

Speaker Topics

Cultivating Compassion, Gratitude and Joy
Cultivating One's Unique Gifts to Serve Humanity
Developing and Deepening Resilience
Embracing Adversity and Challenge
Finding Laughter in Everyday Life
Finding the Courage to Embrace Change
Freedom from Attachment and the Need for Control
Responsibility/Authentic Power
The Gift of Acceptance
The Importance of Authentic Connections
The Power of Forgiveness

Related Categories

Challenge and Adventure

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