Angela Rockwood was born in Clovis, New Mexico, and grew up traveling the world as the child of a career military man. She began modeling at 17, eventually becoming a fitness instructor and martial artist. At 22, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting and landed roles in The Fast and the Furious and V.I.P.

Angela’s life changed dramatically on September 3, 2001, one week before 9/11, when a car accident left her with a broken neck and severed spinal cord. She was diagnosed as a C4 quadriplegic and given only a 3-5% chance of regaining movement. But Angela believed her paralysis had purpose—and that she had a mission to fulfill.

Just two months after the accident, Angela made headlines when she wiggled her left index finger on live TV, during a segment about the power of the mind. A month later, she touched the top of her head. In 2003, she became the third American to undergo groundbreaking stem cell surgery in Portugal. Today, Angela lives independently, feeds herself, applies makeup, trains in martial arts, and continues to paint—using adaptive methods that allow her creativity and spirit to shine.

Angela is a passionate advocate and has used her voice to break barriers and defy stereotypes. She became an ambassador for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, a spokesmodel for Ti-Lite, and a model for brands like Target, Nordstrom, and Toyota. Her story has been featured on Larry King Live, People Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, and Good Morning America.

She is the creator, producer, and star of Push Girls, the Sundance Channel series that won the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Reality Series. The show follows five women living with paralysis and highlights their strength, resilience, and friendships.

Angela continues to travel the country sharing her story and teaching manifestation workshops at places like the Joey Travolta Theatre and Performing Arts Studio West. She’s spoken to thousands, including students at Paul Mitchell, the Miss Global Organization, and military personnel at Edwards Air Force Base, where she was honored as an Honorary Commander.

Angela returned to modeling to show the world that "beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages, and every vessel." She recently wrapped filming Pen Pals, where she plays the lead role of Otilia, and can be seen interviewing top players on World Poker Tour.

Angela lives by the mantra: “Life is a gift and what we do with our life is our gift back to the world.” She’s on a mission to push limits, uplift others, and live fully—with passion, purpose, and power.