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My Dad Became a Monk — and It Saved My Life | Joy Sheppard | TEDxCamino Ramon St

What if the secret to a peaceful life wasn't found in a self-help book, but in the most unlikely of places: the transformation of an angry, chain-smoking father who became a monk? For Joy Sheppard, a family nurse practitioner, pro-athlete in the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB), a wife, and mom, a life of relentless hustle was the only way she knew how to live. So when her dad—a man once notorious for his explosive temper—shaved his head, donned a monk’s robe, and moved to a monastery in Thailand, his lesson of JAI: "Just Accept It" felt like it would threaten the very success that defined her. It wasn't until a near-death experience forced her to surrender that she finally learned the power of acceptance.In this raw, funny, and deeply human talk, Joy reveals how you can continue to strive without sacrificing your soul, and find more love, joy, and peace in the process. Joy Sheppard is a nurse practitioner, former competitive bodybuilder, wife, and mom to a young son. She’s also the daughter of a man whose life took a shocking turn: from anger and chaos to saffron robes and monkhood. Joy wasn’t ready to accept his lesson of JAI — Just Accept It until her own near-death experience forced her to. In this talk, she reveals three truths about peace, strength, and letting go. 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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