About Mandy

Growing up, I was an elite soccer player and, to this day, I still tap into the mindset of an athlete to tackle adversity. Just like in sports, all we can do in life is control how we react to things, versus controlling whether or not things are going to happen to us, because we all have our own versions of adversity. 

When I was 16, I was visiting Argentina on a language immersion trip and was involved in a tragic car accident, rendering me quadriplegic. Despite the many challenges that come with a disability, I have been able to realize all of my wildest dreams, including going to college, traveling the world, and having a family. 

In 2023, I launched my public speaking career and gave my first keynote address called "Unstoppable Resilience: Conquering Adversity by Shifting Mindset" to the Women's Cardiometabolic Health Conference. It was a powerful experience, and I'm excited to share my story with many others! 

It has now been just over 30 years since my accident. When I first tell people about my story and things I have done with my life post-injury, they generally react with surprise. That always causes me to reflect on my journey, and I recently felt compelled to finally write it down. Now, my new book is almost ready, with more details to follow!