Categories: Diversity & Inclusion | Motivation | Women's Spotlight
Travels from Tucson, Arizona, USA
Jessica Cox is the first certified person in the world to fly an airplane with just her feet. She is an admirable motivational speaker who, despite her limitations, shares a powerful message of joy and hope.
Jessica Cox was born a risk taker: she is the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet. Cox knew she was different from the other kids and that she had to do things differently, and she always believed she could do anything thanks to the foundation her parents instilled in her. Her mother always told her there were no limits to what she could do and what she could be.
When Jessica Cox was born, both of her parents were shocked to find out that their baby did not have arms, and Cox’s parents decided to integrate her into a regular environment as much as possible. Never thinking she was different, she did whatever the other children would do. But on the playground during recess, she felt limited as people around her were overprotective and prevented her from climbing up the slide. In anger and frustration, Jessica sat on the swings dreaming of flying.
Jessica Cox grew up using prosthetic arms which she had to practice with countless hours of therapy after school. Although she could carry things with prosthetic limbs, she never connected with them and preferred doing everything with her feet. After 11 years of wearing them, she decided to stop using prosthetic arms and embrace what made her different.
Jessica Cox graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Psychology and Communication. From the challenges she has overcome, she became an inspiration to many; she realized her words and experience are a natural source of encouragement and optimism for many, which gave rise to her motivational speaking business. Around the same time, she decided to pursue flight lessons to overcome her greatest fear: flying. After an arduous three years, Jessica became a certified pilot, earning the title of the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet.
Jessica Cox continues to travel the globe motivating people to overcome their perceived limitations with her inspirational speeches. With her experience speaking to audiences in 23 countries, she codified her message into Possible Thinking and the Achieve Model.
