When fragility becomes strength Quand la fragilité devient une force | Olivier Goy | TEDxMontmartre
Married, a father of two, and an entrepreneur, Olivier Goy was diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Since then, he has committed himself to advancing medical research and advocating for a more inclusive place for people with disabilities in society. He does so through two key roles: as an ambassador for the Paris Brain Institute, the world’s second-largest neuroscience research center, and as a patron of Les Invincibles, a joyful and determined association founded after the release of the film Invincible Summer.
In his talk, Olivier invites us to reflect on what may prevent us from feeling truly alive.
We have been taught to hide our doubts, silence our fears, and conceal our wounds, as if showing a crack were already a sign of weakness. And yet… it is often precisely there that everything begins.
When we dare to be real. When we stop playing a role. Fragility makes us human, deeply human. It creates connection, opens doors, and gives others permission to be who they truly are.
Fragility does not slow us down. It sets us in motion. It is not an obstacle, but a bridge toward greater meaning, freedom, and authenticity.
And what if true strength is born exactly there, the moment we dare to be vulnerable?Marié, père de deux enfants et entrepreneur, Olivier Goy a été diagnostiqué atteint de la SLA en 2020. Depuis, il s’est engagé à faire avancer la recherche médicale et à promouvoir une place plus inclusive pour les personnes en situation de handicap dans la société. Il agit à travers deux rôles clés : en tant qu’ambassadeur de l’Institut du Cerveau, le deuxième plus grand centre de recherche en neurosciences au monde, et en tant que mécène de l’association Les Invincibles, joyeuse et déterminée, fondée après la sortie du film Invincible Summer.
Dans son intervention, Olivier nous invite à réfléchir à ce qui peut nous empêcher de nous sentir pleinement vivants. On nous a appris à cacher nos doutes, à taire nos peurs et à dissimuler nos blessures, comme si montrer une faille était déjà un signe de faiblesse. Et pourtant… c’est souvent précisément là que tout commence. Lorsque nous osons être vrais. Lorsque nous cessons de jouer un rôle. La fragilité nous rend humains, profondément humains. Elle crée du lien, ouvre des portes et donne aux autres la permission d’être pleinement eux-mêmes.
La fragilité ne nous ralentit pas. Elle nous met en mouvement. Elle n’est pas un obstacle, mais un pont vers davantage de sens, de liberté et d’authenticité.
Et si la véritable force naissait exactement là, au moment où nous osons être vulnérables ? Olivier Goy est un entrepreneur et dirigeant français, connu pour son engagement majeur dans la lutte contre la maladie de Charcot (SLA), dont il est atteint. Cofondateur de l’association Les Invincibles, il mobilise entreprises, chercheurs et grand public pour accélérer la recherche et changer le regard sur la maladie. Par ses prises de parole, il incarne un leadership courageux, tourné vers l’action, l’espoir et l’impact collectif. 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
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