Five Life Lessons from Top TEDx Speakers

Originally designed to help organizations and individuals connect through local TED-like experiences, TEDx has grown into an online community that inspires individuals across the globe through over 1 billion YouTube views.

This milestone could not have been reached without the popular talks of some of our most sought-after speakers, who make up over 5 million of those views. The following five speakers’ TEDx talks share more than just an idea, but rather a practical lesson that can be incorporated into our everyday lives.

Lesson #1: Never lose hope and allow faith to move you forward.

Elizabeth Smart tops our list with over 2 million views on her TEDx Talk. Elizabeth’s tragic story of her nine months in captivity is one of the most widely known child abduction cases of our time. She uses her experience to advocate for change in the areas of child safety and law enforcement. Elizabeth has remained an inspiration to children and teens suffering from similar traumatic experiences, proving that there is always hope for a rewarding and fulfilling life.

Lesson #2: By sharing our hardships, we bring light to the darkness and help others heal.

Hyeonseo Lee is a refugee activist who uses her story of fleeing North Korea to shed light on human rights issues. Her TEDx Talk, which now has over 1 million views, shares her story of escaping North Korea to restart her life–ultimately losing her family along the way. By opening up about her personal losses, she helps to transform the lives of others and raise awareness around the struggles of North Korean refugees.

Lesson #3: Our lives are determined by the choices we make, NOT by what happens to us.

After a devastating battle with Meningococcal Meningitis, 3-time Paralympic Medalist Amy Purdy had both of her legs amputated at the young age of 19. Through perseverance and hard work, Amy became the top ranked adaptive female snowboarder in the world. Her TEDx Talk, which has close to 1 million views, focuses on the impact that the choices we make can have on the life we want to live. Through the power of imagination we can move beyond our circumstances.

Lesson #4: In order to overcome our fears we must first acknowledge them.

Award-winning rocket scientist Olympia LePoint is dedicated to helping audiences overcome fear and adversity. Although she learned to tap into her brain’s potential at a young age, it was her fear of math that caused her grades to suffer. Through hard work and a series of mentors, Olympia learned to cultivate her brainpower and build the strength to conquer and embrace challenges. Her TEDx Talk, which has been viewed by over 800,000 people, continues to help people unleash their inner rocket-scientist.

Lesson #5: By upholding our promises to others, we find strength in ourselves.

Alex Sheen is the founder of Because I Said I Would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. Alex’s TEDx Talk, which has close to 200,00 views, tells the heartbreaking story of the passing of his father and the inspiration Alex found from his father’s dedication to his word. Because I Said I Would has inspired countless individuals around the world to uphold their promises by demonstrating the strength that comes from determination.

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