Amy Purdy is preparing to release her second book, Bounce Forward, a guide that distills the mindset and tools she used after losing both legs at 19 and surviving a later life-threatening blood clot. The memoir-manifesto hybrid arrives April 14 and is available for preorder now.
At a Glance
- Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy will publish Bounce Forward on April 14
- The book details the tools she relied on after leg amputations and seven surgeries
- Jennifer Garner calls the pages “authentic, vulnerable, determined and joyful”
- Why it matters: Purdy reframes resilience as practical skills anyone can use when life upends their plans
From Tragedy at 19 to Three Paralympic Medals
Purdy was 19 when bacterial meningitis forced doctors to amputate both legs 10 inches below the knee. Rather than retreat, she learned to snowboard on prosthetics and collected bronze and silver medals at the 2014 and 2018 Paralympic Games. She also danced into the finals of Dancing with the Stars Season 18 with partner Derek Hough.
“After losing my legs below the knees at 19 and later facing another life-altering injury, I realized that resilience isn’t about staying strong, it’s about having tools to lean on when you’re not,” Purdy, now 46, tells News Of Los Angeles.
A Second Health Crisis
In 2019 physicians discovered a massive clot stretching from her hip through the arteries of her left leg. Over the next two years she endured seven surgeries, relearning mobility once again. The experience sharpened her conviction that bouncing “forward” beats trying to return to a former self.
“I’m excited to finally share this book because people always ask me ‘Amy how do you stay strong? How do you keep moving forward?’ This book is my answer,” she says.
What Readers Will Find Inside
According to the official synopsis, Bounce Forward blends memoir with action steps:
- Purdy’s account of facing life-changing obstacles
- Concrete tools she used to survive her darkest days
- Insights on mindset shifts that foster thriving instead of merely surviving
- Truth-telling moments about fear, identity, and reinvention
“This isn’t just a story of overcoming, it’s a masterclass of resilience, as she reveals the mindset, tools, and truths to help you rise, thrive and fully live,” the synopsis states.
Early Praise
Jennifer Garner offered an enthusiastic endorsement after reading the manuscript:
“You can’t help but love her. With Bounce Forward, she offers powerful tools distilled from her own incredible journey to help you hold onto hope and build strength and resilience. What a great book!”
Garner highlighted Purdy’s “authentic, vulnerable, determined and joyful” voice as the element that will resonate with readers navigating their own setbacks.
Release Details
- Title: Bounce Forward
- Author: Amy Purdy
- Publisher: Amplify Publishing
- On-sale date: April 14, 2026
- Preorder: Available now through all major retailers
The exclusive cover reveal premiered Thursday on News Of Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- Purdy reframes resilience from a trait you either have into a toolkit you can build.
- Her personal saga-double amputation, Paralympic competition, a second major health crisis-provides the evidence base for the book’s strategies.
- Early readers such as Jennifer Garner praise the blend of vulnerability and practical advice.
- Bounce Forward positions itself as a manual for anyone confronting sudden change rather than a traditional comeback memoir.
