From performing everyday tasks such as brushing his teeth to running a global motivational speaking business, 28-year-old Australian Nicholas Vujicic knows more than most about overcoming challenges.

The 28-year-old Melbourne entrepreneur was born without arms or legs but since he was a young man he has been sharing his message that an undaunted spirit in the face of adversity is one key to success.

In Shanghai last week as part of a four-city inspirational speaking tour of China, Vujicic described how he changed from a young boy who tried to kill himself to a man who never lets his physical condition set limits on what he can achieve.

Vujicic was born with the rare Tetra-amelia genetic disorder, rendering him limbless. He is missing both arms at shoulder level, and is legless but with two small feet, one of which has two toes.

His left foot is his strongest and using his two toes he can perform a range of everyday tasks that many of us take for granted. He looks fit and his torso and neck are muscular.

Some of these daily feats include typing 43 words a minute, texting, writing with a pen and even walking around the house. Outside his house he uses a wheelchair.

But he has also used his incredible dexterity and determination to play sports including football, golf and surfing.

He plays golf by holding the club between his toes and wedging the top of the handle under his chin. Around the home he is surprisingly agile and can walk upright and jump up onto low chairs and couches.

"I had to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't change what I couldn't change but it was persistence that really helped me to say: 'ok, no-one can tell me what I can't do, only I can try the things that I haven't done before," Vujicic says.

"I have control over the things I can achieve in my life based on my attitudes. I thought I am going to try to play golf and soccer, I am going to try to surf, swim, fish and scuba dive and I have done all that."

Since starting motivational speaking in Australia at age 19, Vujicic has traveled to more than 34 countries and delivered more than 1,400 speeches. He graduated from a financial planning and accounting degree at 21.

Along with his speaking he has written a book, "Life Without Limbs - Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life" (2010) writes a popular blog and has a burgeoning acting and singing career, recently appearing in a short film.

Now based in Los Angeles, Vujicic is a Christian preacher, but speaks to both evangelical and secular audiences around the world.

His visit to China was organized through the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and two previous trips included both speaking engagements and visits to orphans of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.

"People need to hear a message of hope, and you can't put a price tag on hope," he says.

When he was a child, Vujicic's parents provided him hope and encouragement during his darkest times.

One of the first disabled children integrated into the Australian state of Victoria's mainstream school system, Vujicic was the victim of bullying and taunts from other children.

"It meant so much to me that my parents always loved me, always cared for me, always believed in the best of me," he says.

"I would tell them 'everybody tells me I am ugly, everybody tells me I am weird.' They would tell me I was special and that there was a greater plan for my life. They said and we don't know why this happened to you but don't give up."

At age 10 Vujicic tried to commit suicide, attempting to drown himself in a bathtub because he believed he was a burden to his family.

It was only the thought of the guilt and pain it would cause his parents that stopped him, Vujicic says.

"I didn't feel like there was anything to live for. If I was just going to get teased, if I was just going to be a burden, never get married, never get a job, what was the point of living?" he says.

A turning point came soon after when his mother showed him a newspaper article about a man who had overcome severe disabilities to be successful.

Vujicic says it gave him the knowledge that there were others with tougher challenges out there and he was not alone in his struggles.

Four years ago he was able to provide similar inspiration when he met a child in California, who was also born limbless.

Having an example of someone who had overcome the same physical challenges to lead a successful life was a something Vujicic says he wished he had growing up.

"I didn't get that miracle as a child but I can be that miracle for him, and my mum can be that miracle for his mum and my dad can be that miracle for his dad."

Providing encouragement to others as they face their own challenges has become the aim of Vujicic's speaking tours and he focuses on the special mental strength his life journey has given him.

Vujicic credits the constant challenge in childhood of learning how to perform even the simplest tasks with building a resilience in his character and a desire to never give up.

His physical limitations have also provided him with certain skills and capabilities other able-bodied people do not have.

Like a blind person who can experience a heightened perception in their other senses, Vujicic says being limbless has made him acutely aware of his surroundings.

"I feel that being still and having less body, I am very sensitive with touch. But also it heightens my awareness of what is around me so I can hear two, maybe three conversations at once, I feel like I have these antennas on my head," he says.

Vujicic is a commanding presence when he comes into a room. Rather than being a means through which others can drive their business ambitions, Vujicic is clearly the boss, directing staff and appearing clearly in control.

Wearing a business suit, he greets people by asking them for a hug, since a hand shake is out of the question. He is noticeably strong and fit.

He has a natural affinity for business and is involved in real estate investment.

He runs both a non-profit organization, "Life without Limbs," and a for-profit company, "Attitudes Altitude" that provides corporate and motivational speaking events.

"I have a mathematical, business mind, at heart I am an entrepreneur," he says.

Vujicic says he has a long-term commitment to coming to China, which during this visit included a high-profile spot on the talk show of Yang Lan, who is often referred to as "China's Oprah."

"There are a lot of people here and there are a lot of youth here who are on the cusp of wanting to explore, wanting to know more about their own life and their own purpose," he says.

"I think these young people know there has to be something more to joy, peace and love in this life than just getting a good job, just trying to get to be number one. True peace can't come from money or position."

At just 28, Vujicic feels he is just starting out on his journey to being a world renowned speaker, but he hopes to build his profile in a number of countries.

While he is focused on his speaking, his dreams for the future don't just include business.

Currently single, he says he hopes one day to have a family.

"Even if I have a girlfriend, it would be difficult because I am on the road all the time," he says.

"But there is no doubt in mind there is someone out there for me and we are going to have beautiful kids and it is going to be great."

Love may have to wait for this jet-setting motivational speaker to settle down but Vujicic says he hopes that his words of encouragement will help other people overcome their own challenges.

"We don't know how much smiles can encourage someone, we don't know the power of a phone call, the power of a friendship or the power of an encouraging word," he says.

"We don't know what that person next to us is thinking and we don't know their fears or what keeps them up at night. But we can help, and I know what encouragement did for me. It's a great gift."

More information is available at www.lifewithoutlimbs.org