Amy Purdy discusses her perfect score on ‘Dancing with the Stars’

The Times is pleased to have Amy Purdy, who won a bronze medal in snowboard cross at the 2014 Paralympics, guest-blogging for us while she competes on “Dancing With the Stars” with pro partner Derek Hough. Purdy talked about this week’s competition and last week’s back injury that almost forced her to withdraw, in an email Q&A.

Q. How are you feeling from last week’s injury, and were you in any pain while dancing during the show this week?

I’m feeling much better, but it was a long week. I spent any non-dancing time I had this week trying to get healthy. I was working with a great chiropractor, Dr. Ryan Pendon, who adjusted my back a few times a day along with deep massage, ice and something called a K Laser that helps promote healing. Being proactive at the time of the injury is the only way I got back to good before Monday’s show. I’m ecstatic that my body held up and we had our best performance yet with a perfect score from the judges!

Q. A perfect 40! How gratifying was that?

It’s amazing! I have to say, there were a few times last week when my injury was at its worst that I really didn’t know if I was going to be able to pull it off, but I had really, really been looking forward to this Argentine tango. I was hurting, but I really wanted to do this dance. So to have the rough week we had and then get rewarded with four 10s … it kind of blows my mind. Derek was an amazing support all week, but also I respect that he didn’t limit the choreography due to the injury; we held off on practicing certain lifts as well as the stool tilt until the day before the show in order to allow more time for my back to heal, and by showtime I was ready to go, with my doctor in the audience of course to work on me between dances and to be there if anything went wrong. However, the night went amazing, one of the most powerful moments of my life. I wish I could describe the energy of the audience during our dance, it was magical.

Q. We’re nearing the end of the season, so, looking back, what has been your favorite dance so far?

We have had some really memorable dances, but if I had to pick one you just saw it [Wednesday] night, the Argentine Tango. It’s hard to argue with 40 points! Plus there is something very empowering about performing a tango; it’s intense and will be a dance that I will continue to practice after the show ends.

Q. There are a lot of Derek Hough fans who read this blog each week. What is one thing you have learned about him that might come as a surprise to fans of his?

I don’t think it’s any surprise how brilliant he is. But what I love most is our conversations about life and how grounded he is. He is a motivator, we have mantras that we say together or should I say yell together before each show that helps to put us in the right frame of mind. I truly believe he will continue to spend the rest of his life inspiring and motivating millions of people, that is what he was put on this Earth to do.

If you haven’t already done so…please get online and vote for me!

You can follow Amy Purdy at her website, on Instagram/Twitter: @AmyPurdyGurl and on Facebook.