In 2017 my husband and I decided go after our dream. We left our nice, easy, boring life in Copenhagen and set off on our adventure - buying a 1,000-year-old castle in Italy.
Less than a year into our dream life I was involved in a life-changing accident when a gas water heater exploded and I was burned alive. The skin on my hands and arms was gone. My face, neck and feet had 3rd degree burns.

I was immediately put into a medically induced coma and underwent hundreds of surgeries and skin grafts during a miserable 4 months in isolation of an Italian hospital burn unit.
I fought hard for my life. I didn’t give up on my dream of the castle either and worked hard to get bookings for 2020. Then covid hit and all the bookings were cancelled. We had no income and couldn’t afford heat or electricity.
I kept fighting and now I’m on the other side of living through my worst nightmare.

I don’t want to have lived through all of that for nothing. I want to share my story; whether it’s to inspire, motivate, heal or help others on a their journey of self-acceptance.

About Stefanie Grassley

Stefanie Grassley is a woman who has turned unimaginable pain into profound purpose. A burn survivor, author, CEO, and keynote speaker, Stefanie is driven by a mission to inspire others to create lives they love—no matter how difficult or unconventional the journey may be.

Stefanie’s life changed forever after surviving a life-threatening accident that tested her resilience in ways she never imagined. The months that followed were marked by excruciating recovery, both physically and emotionally. Yet through that pain, Stefanie found clarity and determination. Her experience of literally rebuilding her body and life gave her a new perspective on the importance of living authentically and intentionally. Today, she draws on that journey to encourage others to embrace their struggles, find their inner strength, and design lives that reflect their true desires and potential.

As an author, Stefanie is working on her memoir which chronicles her extraordinary life journey—one filled with wild adventures, unexpected turns, and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. Her writing, both entertaining and inspiring, invites readers to reflect on their own lives and empowers them to take charge of their stories.

Beyond the page, Stefanie is a CEO and entrepreneur. She’s built her career on innovation, community-building, and creating spaces where people can connect, learn, and grow. As a keynote speaker, she captivates audiences with her authenticity, humor, and hard-won wisdom, speaking on topics ranging from resilience and reinvention to the importance of choosing yourself and living for your future self.

Stefanie’s story matters because it’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome, adapt, and thrive. Whether it’s the courage to leave a small hometown, the strength to walk away from expectations that no longer serve you, or the determination to start fresh after devastating circumstances, Stefanie’s message is clear: You are in control of your life, and you already have everything you need to create the one you want.

With every word she writes and every stage she steps onto, Stefanie Grassley reminds us all that life is worth fighting for—and that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.