7. From Paralyzed to Purpose – Amanda Zwanziger’s Journey of Faith, Healing, and Calling

The Inspiration Podcast with Stan Gibson

What if the most devastating moment of your life became the very thing that led you to your calling? This powerful conversation with Amanda Zwanziger is a story of paralysis—both physical and emotional—and the miraculous healing that transformed her life, her faith, and her purpose.

In today’s episode of the Inspiration Podcast, I sit down with Amanda Zwanziger—author, speaker, coach, and founder of the Paralyzed Movement. Her story is nothing short of breathtaking. After a tragic accident left her fiancé paralyzed, Amanda witnessed a miraculous healing that affirmed her faith and redirected her entire life. But Amanda’s story of paralysis didn’t start there—it began years earlier when she found herself emotionally stuck in a high-paying job, battling anxiety, and disconnected from her purpose. Through divine nudges (and a few spiritual two-by-fours), she discovered a calling to help others break free from what paralyzes them.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or like your best days are behind you, this episode will leave you filled with hope—and maybe even inspired to walk your own beach blindfolded.

Inside This Episode:

• Amanda’s powerful story of her husband’s paralysis and miraculous recovery
• The birth of the Paralyzed Movement and how emotional paralysis can be just as debilitating as physical
• Why control might be the very thing keeping you stuck Amanda’s vision of “ministry-preneurship” and how she brought her faith into her professional life
• Her journey from corporate burnout to Chamber CEO to prison ministry speaker
• The three powers that help us overcome anything: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the spirit of community

Know someone who needs this message? Share this episode. And if you’re ready to step into your purpose—even if you’re scared—take that first step today. Connect with Amanda at amandamotivates.com or by email at [email protected].

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Link For This Epiosde: The Paralyzed Movement: Find Purpose, Peace, and Freedom From the Things Paralyzing You in Life - https://www.amazon.com/Paralyzed-Movement-Purpose-Freedom-Paralyzing

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 - Welcome to Episode 7 + Meet Amanda Zwanziger
• 2:00 - Amanda’s unique path to Chamber CEO and the “seat she didn’t expect”
• 4:00 - Defining “ministry-preneurship” and how it started with a divine nudge
• 7:30 - The tragic ATV accident that changed everything
• 10:00 - The promise: “He will be healed” and Amanda’s peace in the chaos
• 15:00 - Todd’s spinal injury—and the miracle that followed
• 19:00 - The movement begins: community, prayer, and belief in the impossible
• 21:00 - A second miracle: Brad’s story from paralyzed to marathon runner
• 24:00 - Applying the same principles to emotional and psychological paralysis
• 29:00 - How Amanda’s corporate anxiety nearly broke her—and what saved her
• 32:00 - Proposing to Todd and starting a new journey
• 35:00 - The coaching that helped her find her true calling
• 40:00 - The beach walk: a literal blind journey of faith
• 44:30 - A second beach, 10 years later: realizing God’s promise came true
• 46:00 - Becoming the person she was always meant to be
• 48:00 - Amanda’s mission to help those in prison find emotional freedom
• 51:00 - The breadcrumbs that led to her current work
• 53:00 - A full-circle moment from prison security systems to prison ministry
• 55:00 - Where to find Amanda’s book and how to bring her to your stage
• 57:00 - Final encouragement and Stan’s reflections