Jeff and Erik meet with Chris Norton - who Jeff aptly nicknames “a 3-percenter” because he not only beat the odds in his physical recovery but has used the adversity in his life as fuel to find purpose and identity. Through his faith and incredible determination, he lives a meaningful life as a father, husband, and speaker.
As an 18-year-old freshman at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, Chris Norton suffered a devastating spinal cord injury during a college football game.
Told by doctors that he had only a 3 percent chance of regaining movement below the neck, Chris has continually defied medical odds and, in 2015, successfully accomplished his goal of walking across his college graduation stage with the help of his then-fiancee, Emily.
Video from the event went viral, inspiring millions worldwide. Most recently, he walked Emily 7 yards down the aisle of their wedding - documented in his film “7 Yards” now available on Netflix.
Chris believes that our lives aren’t shaped by circumstance. They’re shaped by us. Perseverance isn’t about the physical act of standing: it’s about attitude, and the ability to shape yourself in the face of adversity.
Resources:
Read more about Chris and book him for your next speaking gig
Watch 7 Yards on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or AppleTV