Inspiring man born without arms or legs - Nick Vujicic | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

Nick Voyage, born without arms or legs, defied all odds to become an inspiring motivational speaker and preacher. His story of overcoming adversity, achieving academic success, and touching the lives of millions with his message of hope is truly remarkable. Despite his physical limitations, Nick's positive outlook, humor, and determination have made him a beacon of inspiration, showing that disability is not a barrier to living a fulfilling life.

Takeaways

• 😢 Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs, causing shock and confusion for his parents.
• 🏆 Despite his disability, Nick became school captain, attended university, and achieved a double degree.
• 🌟 Nick's message of hope has helped teenagers worldwide cope with their problems.
• 🎓 He has a great job as a motivational speaker, spreading his message of hope and resilience.
• 🚫 Nick defines disability as something that stops you from doing something, and he finds little that he can't do.
• 🌎 Nick's work has taken him around the world, speaking to millions and inspiring countless people.
• 😄 He uses humor as a tool to connect with people and make light of his situation.
• 💪 Nick's perseverance and imagination have been key to his ability to adapt and achieve in life.
• 💔 Nick faced ridicule and torment in his school years, but he overcame these challenges to become a motivational speaker.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Nick dreams of having a family and being a father, despite his physical limitations.
• 🌈 His story is one of overcoming adversity, turning a perceived disaster into a life of inspiration and achievement.

Q & A

What was Nick's condition at birth?

Nick was born without arms or legs.

How did Nick's parents react to his birth?

Nick's parents experienced shock, confusion, and grief upon his birth.

What message does Nick's story convey?

Nick's story is a message of hope that has helped teenagers worldwide cope with their problems.

What challenges did Nick face during his school years?

During his school years, Nick was ridiculed, tormented, and even suicidal at one point.

How did Nick overcome the challenges of his disability?

Nick adapted to everyday life with sheer will and imagination, treating his disability as an opportunity.

What is Nick's attitude towards his disability?

Nick considers his disability as something that stops him from doing nothing and he believes there's hardly anything he can't do.

What is Nick's profession and how successful is he in it?

Nick is a preacher and motivational speaker who has become a smash hit, visiting 14 countries and speaking to two million people.

What is Nick's approach to humor and how does it help him?

Nick uses humor to cope with his situation and connect with people, finding it a good relief and a way to enjoy life.

What are Nick's aspirations for the future?

Nick aspires to reach the world with his message, speak to millions, and possibly become a father.

How does Nick handle the physical aspects of his disability?

Nick has adapted to his disability with a positive attitude and has found ways to perform everyday tasks, such as driving a boat.

What impact does Nick have on the people he meets?

Nick has a profound impact on people, making them feel comfortable to share their deepest secrets and brokenness.

Outlines

00:00

😢 Inspiring Journey of Nick Voyage

Nick Voyage, an Australian born without arms or legs, is an inspiring figure. Despite the initial shock and confusion his birth caused his parents, Nick grew up to achieve remarkable success. He became school captain, attended university, earned a double degree, and secured a great job. His story is one of hope that has helped teenagers worldwide cope with their problems. Nick's message is unforgettable, and he has a unique ability to turn his disability into a strength. He sees life as an opportunity and believes that there's hardly anything he can't do. His humor and positive outlook have made him a successful motivational speaker in America, where he has touched many lives.

05:01

🤔 The Unanswered Mystery of Nick's Birth

Nick's birth was a medical mystery as his condition was never detected during prenatal ultrasounds. His mother did not take any medication during her pregnancy that could have caused his disability. The emotional turmoil his parents experienced was profound, with feelings of grief, guilt, and confusion. Despite this, Nick was a healthy baby and adapted to life with sheer willpower and imagination. He has a unique perspective on disability, seeing it as something that stops a person from doing something, and he has found little that he cannot do. Nick's life is busy, and he now employs a full-time carer to assist him. He has a strong spiritual connection and has turned his disability into a powerful tool for his motivational speaking and ministry, reaching millions of people worldwide.

10:01

💪 Overcoming Challenges and Touching Lives

Nick Voyage's story is one of overcoming challenges and touching lives. As a child, he faced ridicule and torment, which led him to consider suicide. However, he found strength in his faith and his own self-worth. Nick's passion for life is contagious, and he has become a source of inspiration for many, especially teenagers. He has spoken to large crowds, including 110,000 people in India, and has a unique ability to connect with people through humor and empathy. Nick's message is about finishing strong and finding the good in oneself. He dreams of reaching millions with his story and has aspirations of marriage and fatherhood. His story has evolved from one of disaster and grief to one of inspiration and hope.

Keywords

💡Inspiring

Inspiring refers to the ability to motivate or encourage someone to do something, often by acting as a role model or by sharing a compelling story. In the video, Nick Voyage is described as inspiring because he overcomes his physical limitations to achieve great things, such as becoming school captain, obtaining a double degree, and becoming a motivational speaker. His story serves as a message of hope to teenagers worldwide, showing that despite challenges, one can still lead a fulfilling life.

💡Disability

Disability is a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. Nick Voyage was born without arms or legs, which is a significant disability. However, he redefines the concept by stating that disability is something that stops you from doing something, and he has found hardly anything he can't do. This perspective challenges the conventional view of disability and shows that it is an individual's mindset that often limits them, not their physical condition.

💡Perseverance

Perseverance is the act of persisting in a task or purpose despite difficulties or obstacles. Nick Voyage's life is a testament to perseverance. Despite being born without limbs, he adapted to everyday life, became school captain, and achieved academic success. His story illustrates that with determination and hard work, one can overcome significant obstacles and achieve their goals.

💡Hope

Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The video presents Nick's story as a message of hope that has helped teenagers worldwide cope with their problems. His ability to overcome his disability and lead a successful life gives others the belief that they too can overcome their own challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem.

💡Motivational Speaker

A motivational speaker is someone who inspires and motivates others, often through sharing personal stories or experiences. Nick Voyage has become a motivational speaker, traveling to different countries and speaking to large crowds. His speeches are not just about his physical challenges but also about his philosophy of life, which includes humor, positivity, and the belief that one can achieve anything they set their mind to.

💡Humor

Humor is the quality of being amusing or funny. Nick Voyage uses humor as a tool to connect with people and to cope with his own situation. He believes that being able to laugh at oneself is a powerful way to deal with life's challenges. In the video, he shares an anecdote about a time he used humor to surprise a girl who was staring at him, showing how humor can be a form of communication and a way to break down barriers.

💡Independence

Independence is the state of being able to do things without relying on others. Nick Voyage values his independence and has adapted to everyday life without relying on others for basic tasks. The video shows him driving a boat, which gives him a sense of control and independence. His pursuit of independence is a central theme in his narrative, demonstrating that with the right attitude and determination, one can achieve a high degree of self-sufficiency.

💡Dreams

Dreams refer to aspirations or ambitions. Nick Voyage talks about fulfilling his dreams, which include becoming a motivational speaker and traveling the world. His dreams have driven him to achieve more than the average 25-year-old. The video emphasizes the importance of having dreams and working towards them, regardless of one's circumstances.

💡Challenges

Challenges are tasks or problems that test someone's abilities or resources. Nick Voyage's life is full of challenges due to his physical disability. However, he views these challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. His approach to life is to find the positive in every situation, which is a key message in the video. By embracing challenges, he has been able to achieve a level of success that many would not have thought possible.

💡Acceptance

Acceptance is the act of receiving or agreeing to accept something. Nick's parents had to come to terms with his disability, which was a difficult process. The video describes the initial shock and grief they experienced, but over time, they accepted Nick for who he is. Acceptance is a crucial step in dealing with any kind of adversity, as it allows individuals to move forward and find ways to adapt and thrive.

Highlights

Nick Voyage was born without arms or legs, yet he has an inspiring story of overcoming obstacles.

Nick's birth was shocking and confusing for his parents, who experienced grief and confusion.

Despite the challenges of growing up without limbs, Nick became school captain and achieved academic success.

Nick's message of hope has helped teenagers worldwide cope with their problems.

Nick's positive attitude and humor play a significant role in his approach to life's challenges.

Nick defines disability as something stopping you from doing something, and he finds little he can't do.

Nick's ability to laugh at himself and use humor is a key part of his message and appeal.

Nick's birth in Melbourne in 1982 was unexpected, with no medical indications before his birth.

Nick's parents had to come to terms with his condition, which was a period of mourning for them.

Nick's health was not compromised despite his lack of limbs, showing his resilience from a young age.

Nick's small foot gives him a sense of touch and feel, which he values greatly.

Nick's life is busy, requiring a full-time carer, but he remains independent in many aspects.

Nick's faith is strong, and he wouldn't trade his unique ability to inspire others for limbs.

Nick's disability has become his strength, as he travels the world as a motivational speaker.

Nick has spoken to millions, including a crowd of 110,000 people in India.

Nick's humor and connection with people, especially teenagers, are evident in his interactions.

Nick's school years were challenging, with ridicule and suicidal thoughts, but he found strength in self-reflection.

Nick's eyes are described as windows to his soul, reflecting his passion for living.

People are often jealous of Nick's passion for life, despite his physical limitations.

Nick dreams of reaching millions with his message of hope and inspiration.

Transcripts

it's an overworked word but there's no

other way to describe Nick voyage he

really is inspiring Nick was born

without arms or legs and when he tells

the story of his birth the shock the

confusion suffered by his parents he'll

have you in tears

growing up wasn't all that much fun

either so how did this poor little

Aussie kid do so well become school

captain go to uni get a double degree

and set himself up in a really great job

that's the story we're about to tell a

message of hope that's helped teenagers

all over the world cope with their

problems a message you'll never forget

should jump in may Nick voyage was born

with no legs and no arms I'm going out

on the limb what do you want he's sure

got plenty of guts carry crazy

[Music]

nice man thank you very much your

generous judge this 25 year old

Australian is climbing over every

obstacle life puts in front of him and

he's doing it with style

[Music]

[Applause]

you really can't do anything can't you

it was not hard in believing so

everybody's going through something you

know we're all going through something

just my pain is a bit more visible then

you're also somebody else when that

clicked it was like a light bulb and you

know just flashed in in my in my brain

I'm like hey now life I see as an

opportunity this circumstance there's

got to be something good no arms no legs

no worries mate

[Laughter]

[Music]

how do you say yourself as a disabled

person I know I have no arms no legs but

but the the definition of disability is

something stopping you from being able

to do something in my life there's

hardly anything I found that I can't do

even want to even go to control here

should I take over

[Music]

yeah Nick is an inspiration with a

phenomenal passion for life that's

intoxicating for everyone who needs you

I feel like I'm enjoying life in my life

more than the average person out there

but I'm achieving more things than the

average 25 year old it's great I'm

fulfilling my dreams man those dreams

brought Nick to America 18 months ago

[Music]

in a short time he's become a smash hit

as a preacher and motivational speaker

welcome Nick boy check the secret to his

success here is his Aussie accent and

the ability to laugh and his lot in life

yeah when you see me from the outside of

a vehicle you have no idea that I have

no limps and where'd the traffic lights

and this car comes up next to us and

this girls looking at me so look at her

she looks at me and I'm like cool let's

have some fun here

I grab the seat belt in my mouth and I

loosen it like this and then in the car

seat I just did this and she was like

humour underpins everything for you

humor and your message you know if I

start feeling sorry for myself then I

know that that yeah you know if I forgot

a sad face on a poor guy you know but if

they see a guy you know who's able to

joke about his himself you know it's

it's good to laugh once in a while I

made it's it's it's a good relief it's

really I mean to be able to laugh a life

that that's what I've I found that I can

now accomplish there were many times I

couldn't do that

Nick was born in Melbourne in 1982 the

long awaited first child of Boris and

dooshka voyage

when I was born the doctors held me low

enough so she couldn't see me as soon as

I was born and she heard me cry but

obviously she saw a worried look in the

doctors face he went pale my dad looked

over and you know he's his face color

change as well my mum was like what

what's going on what happened

[Music]

it's a question that's never been

answered NIC's birth confounded the

doctors then and still does so this was

never detected on ultrasounds correct

your mum medication while she was

pregnant with you no no medication

wasn't the little mite that was a decade

before I was born

and so she knew all about that she

didn't even take panel or any

painkillers while she had a headache and

not a touch of anything else at my heart

and harm her pregnancy it took a while

for your parents to accept their baby

boy like you are yes I mean I couldn't

imagine to shock the grief the natural

feelings of guilt anger confusion that

sounds like a period of mourning almost

4001 you abort for about four months it

was hard you know when I was born my mom

didn't even get flowers from anybody

yeah you get it you got a firstborn son

no one sent any flowers yeah but despite

his lack of limbs Nick was a perfectly

healthy baby and with sheer will he

adapted to everyday life it's that same

perseverance and imagination that drives

him today

that foot of yours is amazing isn't it I

mean without it I'm so thankful for this

little thing you know one day I broke it

really I ain't I didn't break it but I

was playing sucker one day I sprained my

foot I couldn't walk in it for three

weeks talking about feeling disabled and

I suppose having that foot also at least

gives you something I take for granted

is a sense of touch and feel this is

true it's true because I think because I

have less body surface my skin is more

sensitive than other peoples and yeah it

definitely gives me that sense of touch

as well for sure it's quite funny having

half the blood volume in my body

everything hits me twice as hard as well

so if it's sugar caffeine or alcohol you

know it's been twice as hard so wiling

away some time on the water gives NICUs

sense of control and independence very

good that is perfect all right yep be

able to drive a manly ferry soon it's

something he's always craved as a

teenager he was determined to do things

his way to lighten the burden on his

parents

these days his life is so busy he's had

to employ a full-time carer to speed up

the process yep that's good thanks very

much but he doesn't need anyone to help

him with his emails do you pray for arms

and legs every now and then I do I do

pray for arms and legs you know I do

have faith that God can right now in

front of us just you know come down with

his light or whatever and bang I have

arms and legs but the joy of having no

limbs and being able to be used in such

a unique way and powerful way for people

like you can't give me any amount of

money to even consider taking a magical

pill to have arms and legs right now

[Music]

next disability has become his draw card

on the spiritual circuit his ministry

life without limbs is now one of the

biggest shows in town so far he's

visited 14 countries and spoken to two

million people six years ago you were

speaking to three hundred year 10

students at a school in Brisbane that's

right what's the biggest crowd you've

spoken to today now 110,000 people yeah

that was in India was incredible

talk about nervous my palms are sweaty

it was basic and how many people did you

hug that not of the Huntington 10,000 we

did it because I know they would

probably take me home and I couldn't say

anything about it but you love hugging

don't you I love hugs yeah you can shake

hands tonight and I think it's a waste

of time I love hugs I mean I think it's

a great icebreaker as well and it's my

way of physically connecting with people

can I give you a hug

that's the day I joined Nick at a Los

Angeles church

I witnessed the impact he has one of the

people in it's very very long few

wanting to tell you and what are they

saying sometimes they actually open up

and tell me the deepest of secrets of

just they feel comfortable around me and

to share just what what their brokenness

is in their life one of the kids say to

you are they they love they love the

jokes you know they let you know they've

just my little foot down here and we're

you know you know give high-fives and

give me some skin sort of thing you know

but the kids I love the deer moan and

they just just it's it's a WoW thing as

well but I think a lot of teenagers are

deeply touched it matters how you're

gonna finish are you gonna finish strong

he's appealed to teenagers caps a

remarkable turnaround from his school

years a time where he was ridiculed and

tormented and suicidal there was one day

I remember when I was six years old I

had a very very hard day at school and I

just you know hear their voices echoing

in my mind you know at night and I got

up out of my bed I looked in the mirror

and said okay Nick I'm talking to myself

I'm saying Nick what do you have that is

good that no one can change that no one

can argue with and I just wanted

something just give me something to hold

on to there's got to be something good

about me

and I look at myself in my eyes and I

said hey you got some good look and I

let you do thank you so your eyes are

your limbs in a way when you look at

Evangelos I talk like this time they do

you use your eyes to talk that's what

they say about the eyes the eyes are the

windows to your soul and when they see

love resound in your eyes and they see

that there's something something

different about you not just your smile

but this is join your eyes is sparkle

this this passion for living it's

contagious and all of a sudden people

are jealous of a man without arms and

legs and that that spins me out

when you first meet Nick you can be

forgiven for feeling a bit awkward but

it takes only a moment for him to

embrace you and put you at ease Olivia

Peter as for romance well he's dated a

few girls but at the moment he's a

single man he hopes the future will

bring marriage and more he blunder

absolutely yeah medically I can have

kids well I'm not gonna be pregnant but

yeah but yeah I I see kids definitely in

my life yeah I can't wait to be a father

why don't you look forward to mostly if

you can be a dad

or when you become a bit we're gonna be

able to hug and play you know but and

it's just gonna be a crazy day me

walking my daughter down the aisle and

that's gonna be so precious

[Music]

when he was born it was considered a

disaster shocked for the doctors

confusion and grief for his parents

[Music]

but what nick voyage has achieved so far

in his life is truly inspirational his

story touched me and he hopes to tell it

to many many more thank you I want to

reach the world

I really do as many as possible and I'll

do this till day as I'm out I know it

really yep yes you want to speak to

millions and millions and millions yes I

love how you dream big

why not mate

and so that's the message if a man

without arms legs is dreaming big why

can't we why can't we all hello I'm Liam

Bartlett thanks for watching so keep up

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