How I found strength in vulnerability | Nayana Shyam | TEDxMEC
In one of the most heartfelt talks of the event, filmmaker Nayana Shyam opened up about living with fibromyalgia and the often-overlooked link between chronic illness and mental health. With quiet strength and raw honesty, she shared how therapy played a crucial role in her recovery—highlighting the importance of seeking professional help. Her vulnerability touched the hearts of many, making those who've known the pain of struggling in silence feel deeply seen and understood. The talk served as a powerful reminder—your mental health matters, and that reaching out is one of the bravest things you can do. From a young age, Nayana Shyam harbored a passion for filmmaking. She began her professional journey as a content creator at Pocket Aces Pictures Pvt. Ltd., where she directed the heartwarming, wholesome, and highly relatable Mother’s Day video titled “Fashion Conversations With Mom”, amassing over 40 million views on FilterCopy’s YouTube channel.
Her directorial ventures include popular web series such as “Firsts”, and the second seasons of “Adulting” and “Please Find Attached” among other works. From 2020 to 2022, she worked at Netflix as a creative editor before going on to create the web series “Sisterhood” with TVF, all while committing to embroidery full-time during her breaks. 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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