Interviews

Persevere Past Your Paralysis with Dr. James Perdue

Published

July 18, 2019

Interview with Dr. James Perdue "The Professor of Perseverance" on Hustle & Motivate, a podcast presented by Joker Mag, the home of the underdog

Credit-Dr. James Perdue/Joker Mag Illustration

Growing up, James Perdue dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. He had the attitude of being invincible and that nothing could stop him.

Going to college on a baseball scholarship, the dream felt closer than ever. But just two weeks in, everything changed in a game of pick-up football. After scoring a touchdown, James took a late hit that instantly made him a quadriplegic.

While the adjustment was difficult at first, James set his sights on a new dream: to inspire others to overcome their own struggles. Today, Dr. James Perdue is known as “The Professor of Perseverance”, a renowned speaker and author.

Listen by tapping the play button below. Or tap the icon of your favorite podcast platform to listen on the go!

Show Notes

[5:32] “It was like I was begging for something to happen to me”

[8:23] The day of the injury

[14:43] Adjusting to a new way of life

[19:38] The 3 P’s of Perseverance

[26:06] How to get past your self-doubt

After Listening…

You can find out more about Dr. James Perdue on his website, ProfessorOfPerseverance.com. Check out his YouTube channel for even more inspiration.

Thanks for tuning into the show!

Check out these related episodes:

28 Years of Surgeries & 2 Visits to Heaven with Jeanne Enstad

Jim “The Rookie” Morris on Living Your Dreams

Overcoming My Fear of Stuttering with LeRon L. Barton

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Written By Tyler O'Shea

Division III baseball alum (McDaniel College), founder of Joker Mag, and author of The Underdog Mentality: Sports Stories That Will Change How You See the Game (And Yourself). Since launching in November 2017, my stories have been featured on platforms such as FOX Sports, SB Nation, and The Sporting News, reaching over 1.5 million readers worldwide. The seed was planted way back in 7th grade when I got cut from the baseball team. Instead of giving up, I found hope and inspiration in stories of undersized athletes who defied expectations. I ultimately played baseball through college, earning Honorable Mention on the All-Centennial Conference team in my senior season. Today, my mission is simple: To share stories that give people the same feeling I felt when I was that undersized ballplayer searching for hope, inspiration, and evidence that my dream was possible. Like my mom always told me, you can do anything you set your mind to. Sometimes we just need a little extra push. And that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these stories with the world.