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Jessica Cox        

World's First Armless Pilot & First Armless Black-Belt in the American Taekwondo Association

Achieve the Impossible!

Jessica believes in a future where people passionately pursue their dreams with the resilience to overcome any challenge.

Described as a speaker “no one will ever forget," Jessica shows audiences around the globe how to inspire enthusiasm and empower diversity. With the goal to lift audiences to a new level of attention and excitement, she teaches how to tackle new challenges with commitment and resilience.

Born without arms, Jessica is fascinated by the way assumptions and perceived barriers prevent people from achieving their dreams. Jessica has utilized dormant physical traits to adapt and use her feet the way people use their hands. As she learned to conquer physical barriers, she developed mental skills that allowed her to go on to achieve the seemingly impossible in her unique way.

Jessica is best known for becoming the first armless pilot in aviation history. Her achievement earned her a Guinness World Record medal and has been a trending topic on Facebook and featured on tv programs like Ellen, Inside Edition, Fox and Friends, Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN, CBS Evening News, and the BBC.

Jessica's other accomplishments include becoming:

  • The first armless black belt and a state champion in ATA Martial Art
  • A certified scuba diver
  • A sought after YouTube and social media influencer
  • One of Plane and Pilot Magazine's "Top 10 Pilots"

Jessica is the author of the self-help/autobiographical book Disarm Your Limits.

Jessica's unconventional views on how to achieve impossible feats has earned her international invitations from companies such as Boeing, GE, Oerlikon, Nestle, State Farm, AT&T, NASA, US Air Force, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Smithsonian, AXA, and Mahindra. Jessica is also the subject of the award-winning documentary Right Footed that aired on National Geographic in more than 80 countries.

Jessica enjoys taking on new challenges, the latest of which is flying her airplane, a 1946 415C Ercoupe. She gives back to the global disability community as the Goodwill Ambassador for the Nobel Prize winning NGO Humanity and Inclusion. As a personal passion, she mentors children with limb differences and their parents through her nonprofit Rightfooted Foundation International.

Speech Topics

Innovation, Creativity, Motivation, Desire, Persistence, Fearlessness, Aviation, "Think outside the shoe"

News

Jessica Cox: I used to be afraid to fly

She has received global recognition for being the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet, but Jessica Cox, the Filipino-American who has been cited by Guinness World Records for her exceptional ability, yesterday admitted her skill was borne out of fear.

According to Cox, she used to be afraid to fly.

But with a strong faith in God, she challenged herself to face her biggest nightmare.

After three states, four airplanes, two flight instructors and a discouraging year to find the right aircraft – a 1946 415C Ercoupe Airplane – she finally made it.

Armless Woman Conquers the Unthinkable

Jessica Cox was born without arms, yet triumphs over obstacles every day. While some would accept that playing piano is not in the cards for them, Jessica refuses to let her disability hold her back in any way. Putting in contacts, eating with chopsticks, and even using nunchucks all seem like unlikely tasks for Jessica, but she does them all, just with her toes.

Defying all odds, Jessica took to the skies and was named the first armless person in the world to obtain a pilot's license.

Photos: Tucson woman Jessica Cox takes message of hope around the world

A Tucson woman born with no arms is taking a message to impoverished and post-conflict countries, where people with physical impairments are often shunned and prevented from going to school.

Jessica Cox, 30, traveled to Ethiopia this year as a guest of Handicap International, an aid organization that focuses on disabled children.

Cox has been a full-time motivational speaker since graduating from the University of Arizona in 2005 and is increasingly focusing her attention on disability issues in impoverished countries. She recently visited Ghana, where she met people forced to the lowest tier of society because of their physical differences.

Take a look at the gallery to view photos of Jessica throughout the years.

Apl, Jessica Cox honored for helping Yolanda survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Filipino-American armless pilot Jessica Cox and international entertainer Apl.de.Ap were recognized by the Philippine Embassy for donating their time and resources in helping in the recovery efforts in areas devastated by typhoon Yolanda.

Cox received a plaque of achievement for her excellence in motivational speaking and her advocacy for the disabled.

She has partnered with Handicap International to help those who were disabled during Typhoon Yolanda’s devastation...

This armless woman can literally kick your ass | New York Post

Jessica Cox is more than just an armless pilot. She also is the first person without arms to become a black belt in the American Tae Kwon Do Association, ...

Powerful Lineup of Speakers on Tap for WAI 2016 Annual Conference in Nashville

Megan Barry, the Mayor of Nashville, will join astronauts Dr. Rhea Seddon and Robert “Hoot” Gibson as each connects, engages, and inspires attendees at the 27th annual International Women in Aviation Conference, March 10-12, 2016, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Jessica Cox, world's first armless pilot and motivational speaker.

Woman Born Without Arms Tells 3-Year-Old with Same Condition, 'You Can Do Anything'

Jessica Cox was born without arms, and she hasn't let that hold her back in life. If anything, Cox has achieved more than the average person: She has a black belt in Taekwondo, she has her pilot's license, and she's an excellent pianist. And she's done it all without using prosthetic arms.

Cox, 32, is also the subject of a new documentary, Right-Footed, and at the premiere on Friday, Cox met 3-year-old Ruth Evelyn "RE" Pranke, who was also born without arms. In the above video, Cox autographs a poster for the girl, grasping the pen with her foot but writing with immaculate penmanship, "You can do anything."

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