My Story - Inspirational Talks & Show that will leave you Breathless

Alexanderia the Great aka Donna Purnell is a world-class escape artist who uses her magic shows on TV & inspirational talks to not only wow but make a difference in the world.  Whether its setting world records on TV, training to the extreme or fighting to extricate herself from chains, shackles, handcuffs & straitjackets from dangerous situations like the bottom of a deep pool or her very own Underwater Cell (UC), you can count on Alex to do something breath-taking for your next event.  

So why do I do it? I've survived escapes never attempted before: achieved several world records & set myself apart in a niche dominated by men. Today, my trademark escape is breaking out of a bulletproof cell but it only came about after I broke free of numerous other "boxes" I've been willingly locked in over the years (either by myself or society): "normal", "female", "wife" "mother"; "too heavy" "too old", "not smart enough","not pretty enough", "girls not allowed." 

Though I burst onto the scene in 2010 and have made numerous national TV appearances, this escape artist was trapped by my boxes for more than 30 years.  In fact, I struggle more with those labels/boxes mentioned above than I do any of the death-defying escapes.  Simply put, life is a challenge.  My biggest enemy is me and how I allow others to put me in a box.  I waited over 30 years to show the world what I can do simply because I didn't think others would accept me. A girl/teacher/mom isn’t "supposed to do” the things I could do.  I know what I do isn't "normal". One of my biggest fears was being labeled “weird”.  It wasn’t my death-defying escapes or the very real possibility of drowning mind you but losing my friends because I might not “fit in”.  I was trapped by what others might think of me.  Does any of this ring a bell for you?

Even with my escapology skills, I still get trapped, not by my restraints but the constraints I put on myself.  My fear of not "fitting in" or not being “accepted” to me is more terrifying than being locked in a bulletproof tank underwater.  Having been bullied publicly, I know the hurt and shame words can have.  And trust me, that pain is much greater than the pain I go through in any of my escapes.  

When I went on America's Got Talent I knew I wasn't the right age or the right size (as I knew I wasn't 22 or a size 2).  I went on anyway hoping to show that your talent should not take a back seat to your numbers (age and weight).  I wanted to show all that you can escape your boxes.  In my escapes, I am forced to not only "think outside of the box" but get out of it or I will literally drown. I can show you how to do the same by continuing to test your limits and to be ok with being uncomfortable.  I can help you push the envelope and help you escape the confines of comfort into a whole new you. And trust me, it will not require you to put on restraints or even get wet.