‘I misplaced my arm in Hollywood film stunt horror and needed to discover ways to exist in new physique’
EXCLUSIVE: Fearless stuntwoman, Olivia Jackson had carved out an impressive career working on Hollywood’s biggest movies – but one fateful day, her life as she knew it all came crashing down

Incredible Hollywood stuntwoman lost her arm in movie accident
Fearless stuntwoman, Olivia Jackson had built an impressive career in Hollywood. Working on films like Mad Max: Fury Road, Avengers and Guardians Of The Galaxy, she was renowned for her exceptional fighting and motorbike skills, as well as her striking looks and physique rivalling those of actresses.
But on September 5, 2015, her life took a dramatic turn when a catastrophic accident turned her world upside down.
During a high-speed motorcycle stunt while filming for Resident Evil, an action camera vehicle made critical mistakes. The vehicle’s team misjudged the timing and crashed the vehicle into her head and upper body at high speed. For the scene, Olivia was not wearing a helmet.
When she awoke, the reality she faced was heartbreaking. Her body was shattered, and her career—her identity as a stuntwoman—was too.
“The impact was devastating. It left me with severe facial injuries, a brain injury, a spinal cord injury in my neck, a broken neck and back, an arm that had to be amputated, and countless other serious injuries,” Olivia from Oxford said.
“I had to learn to exist in a new body, filled with pain and trauma.
“The extreme physical pain never leaves, it’s there with me every moment of every day. And I was faced with so much mental and emotional suffering, overwhelmed with loss.”
The road to recovery was gruelling. Olivia endured multiple surgeries, ongoing phantom limb pain, and countless hours of physical therapy. Yet, amidst the darkness, she felt a glimmer of hope.
She turned to Buddhist meditation practice. A tradition that is very closely aligned with modern psychology —a practice she had embraced for over 15 years at the time of the accident.
Now, 24 years later, it remains a core part of her life.
“It gave me a profound and transformative way to rebuild my life, to find genuine inner happiness, despite life’s challenges,” she said.
“Even amongst chaos, there’s a place of stillness that can be found.
“My Buddhist guide and mentor, Rob Preece, has been a crucial part of my journey. He transformed my meditation practice, making it practical and meaningful for navigating daily life and managing emotions.”
Olivia’s meditation practice opened the door to a new purpose. She started sharing her journey with others, teaching meditation, and becoming a spiritual mentor, especially for those dealing with chronic pain or trauma.
Her meditation style is truly transformative, offering powerful support to heal emotional and mental suffering.
“I want to show people that no matter how hard life gets, there’s always a way forward,” she said.
“I’m passionate about helping others discover their inner strength and showing them that, no matter the challenges they face, there’s always a path to break free from suffering.”
Olivia has practiced martial arts her entire adult life. Before working in stunts, she was a professional Muay Thai fighter. About eight years ago, after the accident, she transitioned to kickboxing, which is less intense and involves less full-contact combat.
Through sheer determination and perseverance, Olivia achieved an incredible milestone—earning her brown belt in kickboxing, just one step away from black belt. This remarkable accomplishment was made possible with the unwavering support of her trainer, Paul Busby, who has been an integral part of her journey.
“There have been so many ups and downs, surgeries, and recoveries along the way, but we’ve come so far,” she says.
Today, kickboxing is more than just exercise for Olivia, now 43 —it’s a testament to her resilience and determination. Her martial arts journey mirrors her broader life story: one of strength, growth, and overcoming the odds.
While the physical pain remains constant, Olivia has found ways to cope, often with humour. She even got a scissor tattoo near her amputation site, inspired by a war veteran, as a way to embrace her new reality with light heartedness.
“It’s so important to laugh and not take life too seriously,” she says.
“Honestly, I’m not sensitive about my missing arm—I often forget about it myself. It’s usually other people who feel awkward and don’t know how to react.”
As well as teaching meditation and mentoring, Olivia is training to become a transpersonal psychology coach, blending her spiritual wisdom with psychological techniques to support people in navigating life’s challenges.
“I know what it’s like to feel broken,” she says.
“My unique perspective comes from experiencing loss, trauma, and constant physical pain. But I’ve also discovered that, deep within all of us, there’s an innate happiness and joy—we just need to learn how to access it.”
Olivia’s work has already touched countless lives. Her teachings resonate deeply with those facing adversity, and her ability to channel her own pain into helping others is nothing short of inspiring.
She shares her inspiring journey with her 65.3K Instagram followers and believes that healing is not about erasing the scars of the past but about transforming them and learning new ways to engage with life in a meaningful way.
“Life isn’t about stopping or getting away from the pain,” Olivia reflects.
“It’s about finding the strength to face it, learn a new way to be with it, grow from it and use it to be of benefit and inspire others.”
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