When Max Duroseau was seven years old, a National Geographic magazine ignited his dream of becoming a photographer, until the world told him it wasn’t practical. Years later, during the isolation of Shanghai’s lockdowns, he unexpectedly rediscovered that passion and followed it into the mountains of China. Through his journey from abandoned childhood dreams to rediscovering “flow,” Max explores how purpose isn’t about a job title, but about what makes you feel most alive. His talk challenges us to listen, to say yes, and to lean into the pulse of purpose. Max Duroseau is a Haitian American educator and artist from the United States. He earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 2016, and his Master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2019, in Textile and Apparel Management. Currently teaching a high school humanities course in Shanghai, China, Max's work delves into aspects of identity and the self. As a portrait photographer, he seeks to capture the beauty in people and things that are often overlooked or hidden. Max's passion is exploring villages and rural communities off the beaten path, revealing their secrets in ways that inspire curiosity and wonder. His roles as an educator and artist intertwine, driven by a shared mission to uncover and celebrate the stories that define humanity. For more details, visit maxduroseau.com. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx