What if the most powerful act of resistance isn’t loud or public—but intimate, embodied and ancient? In this soul-awakening TEDx talk, Sepideh Eivazi—an Iranian-born visionary, immersive experience designer, trauma-informed breathwork practitioner, and mental health activist—guides us from silence to self-reclamation through the radical power of breath.At 20 Sepideh fled Iran with her 17-year-old sister in search of freedom. What she discovered was that true liberation isn’t geographical—it’s physiological. A body conditioned to shrink and disappear, especially in a repressive environment, can only hold trauma, But, as explained in this talk, the body has within it an awesome blueprint for its own healing . .One raw, trembling breath changes everything.Rooted in ancestral wisdom and somatic intelligence, this talk reframes breath as a radical protest in a world addicted to numbness, performance and disconnection. With poetic storytelling and lived defiance, Sepideh reveals regulation not as self-care, but as revolution—and dares us to ask:What if your next breath… was your rebellion?Sepideh Eivazi is a revolution in motion. An Iranian-born visionary, a trauma-informed mental health activist, immersive event architect, and founder of Dawn of the Earth—a purpose-driven platform weaving somatic breathwork, tea rituals and ancestral wisdom to reawaken the human spirit.As a psychedelic integration practitioner and member of Global Wellness Institute’s Breathe Initiative, Sepideh is redefining how we gather—transforming events into portals of remembrance, regulation, and collective awakening. Her mission: to rupture numbness, restore connection, and leave every soul she touches moved and seen.A 2025 Smart Meetings Hall of Fame inductee, Smart Speaker, 40 Under 40 honoree, and Meetings Today Trendsetter, Sepideh’s impact spans global stages and publications including Poosh, The Purist, Skift, Women to Watch, IMEX, and MPI. Her groundbreaking activations include wellness roadshows with Caesars Entertainment and a somatic pre–Met Gala ritual with Morphe and Dripology. 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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- 5:56Bloom where you're planted | LaDarrius Hutcherson | TEDxAlabasterWhat if the path to success isn't about leaving home, but about blooming where you're planted?In this TEDxAlabaster talk, LaDarrius Hutcherson challenges the myth that you must leave your community to make an impact. Drawing from his own journey in Birmingham, Alabama, he shares how staying rooted in the place that shaped you can be the very thing that propels you forward.This talk explores themes of community, authenticity, and redefining what influence looks like. Viewers will learn why their story doesn't have to stop short just because of where they live, and how choosing to stay can be a powerful act of growth and leadership.Watch now to discover how you can embrace your roots, unlock your potential, and bloom exactly where you are.#Success #Community #Influence #Impact LaDarrius Hutcherson, also known as “LHUT,” is a rising social media influencer and experience reviewer from Birmingham, Alabama. A proud product of Birmingham City Schools, he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Jacksonville State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate. LHUT’s digital journey began in 2022 with a viral TikTok review of Ruth’s Place, a soul food spot in Irondale. Since then, he’s gained over 60,000 followers and 1.2 million likes, earning the nickname “The Keith Lee of Birmingham.” His content highlights full experiences, from food and ambiance to customer service. Passionate about giving back, LHUT hosted the Second Annual Eat & Greet, “Boldly Black,” in February 2025, celebrating Black excellence and uniting leaders across industries. 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
- 8:25Say yes anyway: The courage behind the ripple | Dr Nikki Zeigler | TEDxAlabasterWhat if the biggest breakthroughs in your life are hidden inside one simple word—yes?In this inspiring TEDxAlabaster Talk, Dr. Nikki Zeigler reveals how the quiet, often uncomfortable decision to say "yes" can transform not only your life but also the lives of countless others. With raw honesty and powerful storytelling, she shares how imperfect yeses—like hosting her first women's business event despite low ticket sales—created ripples that reached further than she could imagine.From the coach who launched her first program to the friend who hosted a small brunch, Dr. Zeigler illustrates how courage in small beginnings sparks movements, partnerships, and life-changing impact. Fear may whisper doubts, but action silences it.Discover the ripple effect of courage, leadership, and resilience. Learn why your yes is the permission someone else is waiting for, and how your decisions can create waves of influence you may never fully see.Watch now to embrace your courage and say yes anyway. Dr. Nikki Zeigler is a Master Visibility Expert, Pastor, Publisher, and International Speaker Coach committed to helping Christian women dominate in business and ministry. As the Founder of The Herpreneur Network International, she has built a global sisterhood rooted in faith, leadership, and collaboration. She is also the President of Life Christian College, where she trains and certifies future coaches, speakers, and entrepreneurs. Dr. Zeigler is the creative mind behind the iSpeakHER Tote Collection, the Ultimate Christian Business Planner, and the host of the global Convo Christian Talk Show, airing to over 300 million viewers. A multiple-time Amazon Bestselling Author, she uses her platforms to empower women to boldly embrace their God-given assignments. Dr. Zeigler pastors alongside her husband, Bishop Jerimiah Zeigler, at Destiny Word Christian Center in Montgomery, Alabama. She lives by one mission: to make faith, purpose, and visibility collide for Kingdom impact. 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
- 14:14De Kracht Van Vriendelijkheid | Annabel Pieren | TEDxTilburg"De kracht van vriendelijkheid" De wereld vriendelijker maken: iets wat hard nodig is. Want open je social media of kijk het nieuws en je wordt geconfronteerd met haat, vooroordelen en verdeeldheid. Annabel spoort haar Squadmembers vanuit het hele land aan om, d.m.v. laagdrempelige challenges, iets liefs te doen voor een ander. Van het doneren van boeken aan gevluchte kinderen en het schrijven van kerstkaarten voor ouderen tot het geven van complimenten aan vreemden op straat. De belangrijkste les? Een klein gebaar kan al een groot verschil maken. Glimlach gegarandeerd! :) "De kracht van vriendelijkheid"De wereld vriendelijker maken: iets wat hard nodig is. Want open je social media of kijk het nieuws en je wordt geconfronteerd met haat, vooroordelen en verdeeldheid. Annabel spoort haar Squadmembers vanuit het hele land aan om, d.m.v. laagdrempelige challenges, iets liefs te doen voor een ander. Van het doneren van boeken aan gevluchte kinderen en het schrijven van kerstkaarten voor ouderen tot het geven van complimenten aan vreemden op straat. De belangrijkste les? Een klein gebaar kan al een groot verschil maken. Glimlach gegarandeerd! :) 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
- 12:26The silence after the whistle: Grieving the game that raised you | E. Josiah Kenty | TEDxAlabasterWhat happens when the final whistle blows—and the game doesn't call you back?For athletes, the end of a career isn't just about leaving the field—it's about losing a structured identity that shaped discipline, emotional regulation, and purpose. In this powerful TEDxAlabaster talk, E. Josiah Kenty explores what really happens when sports, the "parent" that raised so many athletes, is suddenly gone.This talk challenges the idea of a "Plan B" after sports and reframes the transition as something deeper than a career change. With raw personal stories of injury, leadership, and resilience, E. Josiah reveals why athletes—and anyone who has lost a central identity—must learn not to replace the game, but to translate its spirit into new arenas of life.If you've ever wondered what comes after the game, or struggled with letting go of something that defined you, this talk offers a new perspective and language for the journey forward.Watch now to discover how athletes can live the spirit of the sport forever—without ever needing to play again.#AthleteIdentity #LifeAfterSports #TEDx #TEDxAlabaster #EJosiah E. Josiah Kenty is a former Division I athlete who turned his toughest injury — and toughest life pivot — into a platform for change. After battling back from devastating knee injuries at Murray State University, E. Josiah realized that the real championship wasn’t on the field — it was off it. Today, he’s a 2x award-winning educator, dynamic speaker, and the author of OVERTIME, where he teaches athletes how to build real success after the final whistle. With partnerships ranging from Walmart to universities nationwide, E. Josiah empowers a generation to own their story beyond the jersey. As Founder of his own brand and Lead Facilitator for the Financial Freedom Project, he’s on a mission to embed leadership, resilience, and financial literacy into the next wave of champions. His message is simple but unapologetic: the scoreboard doesn’t define you — your next move does. 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
- 7:15How dance helped me become a better student | Genie (Wenyu) Tang | TEDxValenciaHighSchoolThe Secret of Transferable Skill Sets RevealedThe past, present, and future are all integral to who you are, and it's time to connect the wires in your brain in the right way. Don't walk through life passively; channel what you already know into fuel for chasing the life that you want. Through consistency and a meticulous process, open your mind up to the possibility of training your brain to tackle life in a brand new approach. Genie is a senior at Valencia High School with a passion for exploring the intersection of business, economics, and psychology. Outside of school, she loves indulging in opportunities such as research positions and internships to expand her skill set. She is dedicated to advocating for socio-economic equality in organizations such as the California Association of Student Councils, along with analyzing research at the USC Los Angeles Behavioral Economics Laboratory. Genie has a deep commitment to reshaping business practices to prioritize integrity, responsibility, and sustainable growth. In the future, she will be pursuing economics and statistics as her major in college. Through her dedication to combining the insights from economics and her personal experiences, Genie Tang is determined to drive change in both social reform and the business world. 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
- 18:244 strategies to balance professionalism & authenticity | Steven Stumph | TEDxFPTUniversityHCMCThrough his personal story during an international work trip, Steven Stumph revealed the fear and inner conflict of having to conceal his true identity to ensure safety. He illustrated how queer professionals often “code-switch” - altering language, behavior, even appearance to survive in workplaces where authenticity could cost one’s career or freedom. Steven outlined four common strategies: selective concealment, identity separation, communication and appearance shifts, and prioritizing work over self. His message is: to go all the way in a global career requires more than skill; it calls for a fairer world and organizations that truly listen, empathize, and create space for authenticity. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steven Stumph is a former collegiate athlete at the University of Southern California. Steven has a passion for traveling, taking him to all 50 U.S. states and over 126 countries.His time as an admission counselor and recruitment manager at USC has taken him to over 20 countries to speak and learn from people of varying backgrounds. Over the past three years, Steven has worked on his Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California.With over a decade of experience in academic innovation, DEI, and gerontology, Steven uses storytelling, scholarship, and grand narratives to challenge how we define professionalism, identity, and belonging. As a queer higher ed leader and advocate for older adults, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, he amplifies the narratives of professionals navigating visibility, and those that must conceal their authentic identities. 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
