Janine Shepherd, author, motivational speaker, and former Olympic athlete who defeated all odds as a partial paraplegic captured the audience full of young professionals, network partners and sponsors on November 28, 2018.

In her presentation, “The Power of the Defiant Human Spirit” Janine talked about how we often think of being defiant, as a negative thing, when in reality it’s about pushing the limits, being strong and courageous.

Janine’s life was turned upside down one day while training, as she was hit by a speeding truck. In an instant, she had a near death experience, finally waking after ten days in coma. Doctors told her she will never do anything the same again and that she needed to rethink her whole life.

She spent six months in the spinal ward. Janine said, “Being hurt strips you from entitlement. You learn to stop saying poor me, poor me and learn to start saying why not me? Why shouldn’t I be up for the challenge?” She continued, “Being in the hospital taught me a new level of gratitude. I had a new appreciation for all the things I took for granted like breathing, walking, eating and more.”

After just one year of leaving the spinal ward, Janine went on to become a commercial pilot. She flew, trained and went on to enjoy a life far greater than she could imagine. She went on to do things doctors said she never would, like having children and simply walking again. She knew, believing is seeing. She became the pilot of her own life and circumstances, taking control of all that she could. 

Here are a few more takeaways from Janine’s presentation:

• You need to be flexible. The possibilities that arise when you let go of what you “think” your life should look like, are endless.
• Attitude + Power= Performance
• Don’t forget to ask yourself each day: WTGIT-What is the gift in this.
• Life’s like the hokey pokey, you put it all in an shake it all about. You might not have it all, but learn to love it all.
• There’s no hill too steep to be climbed. Learn to love the hills, for anything is possible.

It’s safe to say, Janine left the audience inspired and ready to engage the power within to create success and define one’s future!

Special thank you to all members of our Epic Impact committee and our Platinum Level sponsors: Capital Credit Union, Gate City Bank, MDU Resources Group, NISC, North Dakota Guaranty & Title, and Starion Bank.

This event wouldn’t be possible without you!