Episode 220: When Adversity Gives You Purpose with Shelby Perry

Shelby Perry was 10 months alcohol-free when a freak snowboarding accident caused her to lose her right eye. It would have been easy to let this enormous setback bring her down – but instead, she created something beautiful from it.

In this episode, we dive deep into Shelby’s story, from her relationship with alcohol, to the day that changed EVERYTHING.

And guess what sped up her recovery and healed her from a victim mindset? Community.

Using the tools she learned when she went alcohol-free, Shelby was not only able to recover and heal from this accident, but through perseverance, resilience, and strength, she found a deeper purpose of helping others.

Today, she’s a motivational coach who has built a movement working with people who’ve had life-altering injuries.

Shelby is the perfect example of how dealing with adversity can be a stepping stone for awakening your purpose and turning that into a hunger for helping others.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Shelby’s relationship with alcohol from her teens through her 20s and the turning point she met during the pandemic
The day that changed everything: Shelby’s harrowing experience of losing her sight in a split second and the unexpected silver lining that followed
The resilience recipe: How Shelby bounced back stronger than ever (and how she avoided falling into a victim mindset)
The liberating power of community support and storytelling and her ultimate dream for what’s next
Shelby’s version of “everything happens for a reason” – and what she tells other women who are going through life-changing injuries

REFLECTION QUESTION

Shelby found a sense of empowerment and fulfillment after sharing her story with others. Think about a challenge you’ve faced. How could opening up about it and sharing your story with others potentially help both you and those who hear it?

“Literally the day after I took one year of being alcohol-free, they removed my eye. My one year celebration mark. But so much beauty has come out of that experience. And, everything that I learned, getting and staying alcohol-free, directly affected and impacted my experience through losing my eye. And I just know that if I hadn't put down the drink prior, it would have been a very different story.” - Shelby Perty

“Everything happens to help people or help someone else, and that's my predominant thought.” - Shelby Perty

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Follow Shelby on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, where you can learn about her community Zoom events and masterclasses. If you haven’t read it already, check out the life-changing book Karolina mentions in this episode, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.

Karolina’s book is available in hardcover, Kindle, and as an audiobook. Be sure to get your copy of Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You today and leave your review.

Follow @euphoric.af on Instagram. And as always, rate, review, and subscribe so we can continue spreading our message far and wide.