Almost three and a half years after being crushed by a 50-tonne truck, North Canterbury dance business owner Michelle Emery is making a miraculous comeback.

While out for her daily 5km run on 20th February, 2021, Emery made a split-second decision to dash across the busy Main North and Woodend roads intersection.

Witnesses would later explain that Emery hit the side of a passing truck and went under the wheels.

Emery suffered compound fractures to her fibula and tibia, multiple fractures to both feet, severely damaged muscle tissue and ligaments in her right leg, and a broken nose.

She still has lasting effects from the incident with no movement in her right ankle resulting in ‘drop foot’. Emery is learning to “embrace the brace” and now wears an ankle-foot orthosis to aid her walking and balance.

But the Funkdafied Dance Club owner and Hot Mamas fitness instructor is making a comeback and said she “couldn’t be more excited”.

“Through unimaginable pain, I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose and determination. It has inspired me to create a space where women can connect, heal and thrive together,” Emery said.

She has owned Funkdafied for 20 years but as Emery said, “With my injury, it’s not physically possible to teach as many classes as I once could and my daughter Tiana will be taking over ownership of the club next year.”

Emery has taken the women’s classes out of Funkdafied and is about to launch a new business Her Courage.

“The universe has been gently nudging me in a new direction and I finally got the hint. It took an extreme accident but I’m listening now,” she said.

“My heart lies in women’s wellness and that’s what Her Courage is all about. I’ve nurtured women and children in the art of dance for 25 years. Dance is where my soul finds freedom. To not dance is not an option,” Emery told chrislynchmedia.com.

“Her Courage is a celebration of strength, grace, and the indomitable human spirit. My mission is to encourage courageous women everywhere; to turn pain into purpose through dance classes, speaking events, and a community where support, encouragement, and inspiration flow freely,” she said.

Hot Mamas member Sarah Eddy said in a Facebook post that Emery “has now taken her trauma and pain and turned it into something meaningful with her new project and brand, Her Courage”.

“With three parts to it, Her Courage MOVES is a revitalised version of our beloved Hot Mamas dance tribe. This group of women not only share a love of dance, but have friendships and connections like no other, which also leads into the Her Courage COMMUNITY part of the brand,” Eddy said.

“And then there’s the Her Courage SPEAKS part where Michelle herself tells her inspiring story from that tragic day and the journey she navigated to get to where she is today – it’s certainly a moving and motivating story of strength and resilience,” she added.

Emery will be launching Her Courage to the public 7pm Thursday at the Kaiapoi North School Hall.