Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabine Becker.
Hi Sabine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The thalidomide tragedy remains one of the most devastating medical disasters in modern history. Marketed in the late 1950s as a remedy for morning sickness, thalidomide was rushed to market by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal—prioritizing profit over safety. The result: over 20,000 children were born with severe congenital disabilities.
I was one of those children. Born with very small arms, I learned—through grit and determination—to use my feet for all daily tasks, from brushing my teeth and getting dressed to using the computer and driving a non-modified car.
During my teenage years, I struggled with a deep sense of injustice and felt defined by what I could NOT do. I didn’t yet understand how much the mindset of victimhood can limit our potential for growth and purpose.
That began to shift when my grandmother gave me a book about a young woman who broke her neck diving into a lake. Despite her injury, she lived a life full of purpose. Her story challenged my perception of what is possible and gave me a glimpse into a new way of thinking.
Today, I see myself as someone who carries the spirit of perseverance. But that shift didn’t happen overnight. It took years of personal work to move from despair to resilience, from frustration to gratitude.
Then, in 2012, I faced an even greater test. While driving, I suffered a massive stroke. In an instant, I lost the ability to walk and speak—skills I had once worked so hard to master. The stroke left me with both physical and cognitive impairments. But once again, I decided not to give up.
The path to recovery was long and grueling. Regaining my independence required physical therapy but also emotional strength, mental discipline, and the commitment to reclaim my life. I had to relearn how to walk—one shaky step at a time—and how to speak again, slowly rebuilding my voice word by word. That hard work and determination eventually carried me across the finish line of the 26.2-mile Los Angeles Marathon in 2019.
Also, today, I’m fluent in four languages, living proof that even after losing so much, it’s possible to regain your abilities and create a life filled with new achievements.
Along the way, I developed a philosophy that continues to guide me: P.U.S.H. — Persevere Until Success Happens.
Today, I’m fully independent again—and I am a published author, an inspirational speaker, and a self-development coach. I teach what I call the P.U.S.H. Survival Skills—Hope, Positive Mindset, Reframing, Courage, Resilience, and Perseverance.
They’re life-tested tools I share with individuals facing hardship, uncertainty, or major transitions. My goal is to help others find their inner strength—no matter the obstacles they face.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life has rarely followed a straight or easy path for me. In addition to my disability and the stroke, I’ve faced the challenge of raising my son, Nicolas, as a single mother with very little money. There were times when I had to choose between paying a bill and buying something he needed. I juggled multiple responsibilities—being both the breadwinner and the caregiver—while navigating my extra disability challenges of doing everyday tasks in my own adaptive way.
I can still picture myself standing at the grocery store checkout, pulling a handful of coins from my purse and lining them up on the counter. With a smile, I’d tell the cashier I was “just getting rid of loose change,” as we both laughed. But inside, I knew the truth—sometimes those coins were all I had to buy food for the week. That lighthearted banter was my way of turning a tough moment into something I could handle with dignity.
Each of these struggles taught me resourcefulness, patience, and the ability to find solutions when the obvious ones weren’t available. They also gave me the belief that the hardest roads can still lead to the most meaningful destinations.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For many years, I worked in social work, primarily with children with disabilities. But after my stroke, I shifted my focus to public speaking, facilitating workshops on what I call the transformative P.U.S.H. Survival Skills, as well as writing my book” The Rebel’s Guide to the Power of P.U.S.H.”
The book is part memoir, part self-development guide. It blends my own sometimes shocking, often inspiring life experiences with practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and building resilience. Through vivid storytelling and raw honesty, I share how I turned radical adversity—from being born with a severe disability to surviving a massive stroke—into a driving force for purpose and hope.
What sets my work apart is that it’s not theory—it’s lived experience. I don’t just speak about resilience; I’ve lived it, over and over. Readers tell me my story makes them feel seen, understood, and empowered to face their own challenges with courage. The Rebel’s Guide to the Power of P.U.S.H. encourages people to see adversity not as a curse, but as a catalyst for transformation, opening the door to new possibilities they may have never imagined. My book is available on Amazon.
I’m most proud of the fact that my work—whether through my book, my workshops, or speaking engagements—has inspired others to rewrite their own stories. My mission is to be a living example that no matter how steep the climb, you can persevere until success happens.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One of the most important things is to connect with your why. I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives—to help shift the focus from hardship to possibility. That’s where my acronym, P.U.S.H.—Persevere Until Success Happens, has truly come in handy. Because I believe we all need hope, the ability to reframe setbacks, and the courage to keep moving forward—especially when the path isn’t easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sabinebeckerspeaks.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PersevereUntilSuccessHappens
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineBeckerPUSH
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Rebels-Guide-Power-P-U-S-H-Persevere-ebook/dp/B0CTST1RNH/
