Overcoming the odds with life's greater purpose

Australian Nicholas James Vujicic gives motivational speeches and shares ideas on social media to inspire worldwide audiences. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Australian Nicholas James Vujicic was born with a rare disorder that left him without any arms or legs.

But Vujicic, 35, has not let his condition stop him from living a full life. The motivational speaker has been traveling across the world to inspire people with his story of not losing hope, caring for others and achieving what they set out to do.

Vujicic's experience is also touching more Chinese lives. For the past decade, he has given speeches in seven cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Vujicic even maintains an account on Chinese micro-blogging website Sina Weibo to stay engaged with his fans and offer his inspiring ideas through video clips.

"Through this way, I can see what Chinese people, especially those who are still quite young, are facing now, and their thoughts," says Vujicic.

He has posted more than 50 videos since May, based on topics raised by his fans, including methods of coping with stress during high school exams. The latest efforts have helped add to the millions of views that his posts attract worldwide.

"It's great to interact with people," says Vujicic. "That's one of the good things about technology. You can make a difference from a distance but really make it feel close."

In September, he spoke in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Shenyang and Chengdu.

"This is my 11th trip to China," he says. "Some Chinese audiences are reserved while others can get quite excited. One thing that I love about Chinese audiences is that everyone listens."

When he was in Shanghai speaking to 25,000 people in a stadium earlier this year, everyone was full of energy the whole time he spoke, he says.