Donna Purnell is a mother of three from Massachusetts and a bit of a modern-day Harry Houdini.

As the economy tanked, this former housewife finally decided to pursue her true passion in life and became an escape artist.

She’s one of the few women in the world doing what she does and she’s creating fans across the globe with her awe-inspiring tricks, particularly her famous escape from an underwater torture cell. It’s a trick that Houdini made famous and Donna, who now goes by the stage name Alexanderia the Great, has perfected it.

She explains how her passion for these tricks was born when her now husband tried to impress her when they were newly dating teenagers. She realized she had a natural talent for these illusions.

Over the years, she’s undergone a lot of official training and says she’s mastered her craft.

Find out how her star rose when her husband put one of her videos on YouTube, which has led to appearances on every major network and new fans in more than 80 countries.

Alex the Great offers advice for anyone looking to follow their dreams. 

To see Alex the Great in action, click here to visit her website.