Jessica Cox
World's First Armless Pilot, Inspirational Speaker, & Disability Rights Advocate
- First armless person in the world to obtain a Pilot’s License and Black Belt
- Has turned the tables on her so-called “disability”, allowing it to enable her as a motivational speaker and advocate in the USA and beyond
- Shares her inspirational story of overcoming adversity to help people around the world find inner strength and overcome their own challenges
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About Jessica Cox
Download ProfileBorn in 1983 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Jessica has learned to live her life with her feet. There were many questions at the time about whether Jessica would be able to live a “normal” life. However, Jessica’s father has said he never shed a tear about her birth condition. He had full confidence in her potential. With the support of her parents and family, Jessica became confident in herself as an adult and continued to explore the world with her feet.
At the age of 14, Jessica earned her first black belt in the International Taekwondo Federation. After graduating from high school, Jessica attended the University of Arizona, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When talking about her degree, she frequently explains that psychology credits the way people think with having a greater impact on their lives than a physical limitation. During college, Jessica joined an ATA Martial Arts club and became the first armless person to earn a black belt in the ATA.
Jessica’s most famous accomplishment was learning how to fly. It took three states, four airplanes, three flight instructors, and three years to find the right aircraft: a 1946 415C Ercoupe Airplane. In 2008 Jessica earned her Light Sport Pilot Certificate. She received the Guinness World Record for being the first person certified to fly an airplane with only their feet in 2011.
In May 2012, Jessica married in the beautiful city of South Pasadena, CA. In the fall of that same year, Jessica became a Goodwill Ambassador for Humanity & Inclusion, a Nobel Peace Prize winning NGO, and advocated for disability rights in Ethiopia, the Philippines, Nepal, and the US Senate.
Flying continues to be a passion for Jessica as she attends many of the largest aviation events in the world. Along the way, she has been recognized for numerous awards, including Woman of the Year from the Tucson Hispanic Chamber, an honorary doctorate from Universidad Santander in 2023, and a distinguished speaker award from Egypt’s President at the World Youth Forum in 2019.
In 2019, a generous fan donated a 1946 415C Ercoupe with tail number N26R (“two-six-romeo”) for Jessica’s use. With an 85 horsepower engine, two seats for a pilot and a copilot/passenger, a cruising speed of around 90 miles per hour, and a flying time of a little over three hours, N26R is a fair-weather airplane designed primarily for local daytime flights. Because of the performance limitations, Jessica plans to build The Impossible Airplane, a 200 mph four-seat RV-10 airplane with custom controls for Jessica to use.
Video Gallery
Jessica Cox Possible Thinking: Achieve The Impossible
Jessica Cox: Turning The “Impossible” Into “Accomplishment”
Jessica Cox: The World's First Armless Pilot | TEDxSouthCapitolSt
Jessica Cox Possible Thinking: Achieve The Impossible
Jessica Cox: Turning The “Impossible” Into “Accomplishment”
Jessica Cox: The World's First Armless Pilot | TEDxSouthCapitolSt
Speech Topics
Download TopicsAdaptability is the key to survival. As industries face constant flux, the ability to adapt hinges on embracing a mindset shift. By fostering a culture of openness to change, resilience, and innovation, businesses can effectively navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities with confidence.
In this keynote, Jessica ignites a spirit of innovation and underscores the transformative potential inherent in setbacks—they serve as pivotal moments for resilience to flourish. This paradigm doesn’t only endorse resilience, creativity, and adaptability but actively cultivates them, laying a sturdy foundation for navigating the ever-changing landscape.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Recognize adaptability as a cornerstone of success and develop the mindset needed to thrive in dynamic environments
- Capitalize on emerging opportunities and leverage setbacks as catalysts for innovation
- Develop a sturdy foundation for navigating change with resilience, creativity, and adaptability
- Explore strategies for embracing change with confidence and agility
- Gain practical insights into how to effectively navigate complexities and challenges while maintaining focus on organizational objectives
IDEAL AUDIENCE:
- Entrepreneurs
- Emerging Leaders
- Employee Resource Groups
- Students
Organizations must adopt a problem-solving mindset as a driving force for change, recognizing challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. When teams build a culture that encourages proactive problem solving, businesses can effectively navigate complexities, adapt swiftly to evolving landscapes, and thrive in dynamic environments.
In this keynote, Jessica sheds light on the power of unconventional thinking by urging audiences to embrace innovative solutions. By thinking outside the shoe, teams can reframe their perspectives to approach problems with curiosity, ingenuity, and boundless creativity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Understand the importance of a problem-solving mindset as a key to overcoming challenges
- Learn to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and development, seeing obstacles as catalysts for innovation
- Discover techniques for embracing unconventional thinking and fostering a culture of creativity within teams and organizations
- Explore real-world examples of unconventional thinking to drive innovation and achieve breakthrough results
- Develop skills and tools for cultivating a culture of innovation, encouraging experimentation, risk-taking, and creative problem-solving
IDEAL AUDIENCE:
- Marketing Professionals
- Designers
- Tech Professionals
- Product Innovators
Navigating change involves prioritizing three actions: aviating, navigating, and communicating. “Aviating” involves maintaining a steady course amidst turbulence, similar to a pilot ensuring the stability and control of an aircraft during fight. “Navigating” entails charting a clear path forward by assessing the current landscape, identifying potential obstacles, and plotting the most effcient route to reach desired destinations. Finally, “communicating” is essential to ensure alignment, foster collaboration, and maintain morale throughout the change process.
Drawing from her own experiences, Jessica shows how setbacks can be reframed as opportunities for growth. By accepting failure as a natural part of the journey, teams can cultivate a culture of resilience that allows them to bounce back stronger than ever before.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Learn strategies for navigating change, including proactive planning, strategic decision-making, and adapting to evolving circumstances
- Explore techniques for maintaining stability and control amidst turbulence
- Develop skills for charting a path forward, assessing the landscape, identifying obstacles, and creating adaptable plans
- Understand the importance of continuous evaluation and adjustment in navigating change
- Discover strategies for fostering resilience and agility to embrace change, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities for growth
IDEAL AUDIENCE:
- Executives and Fortune 500 leaders
- Entrepreneurs
- Salespeople
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