Sport retirement is something all athletes will experience at some point. During sport retirement, individuals may experience identity crisis, depression, and grief. Following any major life transition, the goal is to adapt to the new identity, routine, and lifestyle. Athletic identity is one major factor that influences the likelihood of successful adaptation. In this talk, Andrea will explore athletic identity and other factors that influence adaptation to sport retirement based on her research and experience as a coach and educator.Dr. Andrea Cota Powell spent 10+ years in the sports performance arena coaching athletes of all ages and levels before taking the leap into academia. Her research has focused on how athletes adapt to retirement from sports, with the goal of using research-based methods to coach athletes through the retirement process.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

In this eye-opening TEDx talk, Jean-Sébastien Busque shares an unexpected social experiment that began with a single bathroom visit. After transitioning and experiencing public restrooms from both perspectives, he uncovered striking differences in behavior, unwritten rules, and social dynamics between men's and women's spaces.If you'd like to contact Jean-Sebastien Busque, please visit www.jsbusque.com After 20+ years in the corporate world, Jean-Sébastien Busque reinvented his life when grief, burnout, and a gender transition made it impossible to keep pretending. Now, he is a speaker, author of "My Apple Pie of Happiness" and founder of Cohérence conseil, guiding organizations and individuals from chaos to clarity with fearless authenticity!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

When no one could explain her young daughter’s sudden death, Laura Gould went searching for answers. Now, a new field of medical research works to help protect future children. Laura Gould, MSc, MA, PT, is a Research Assistant Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk contains graphic photos of self-harm. Terminology and classification related to autism remains debated by experts and advocates working in this field. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfDiscussions about autism are abundant online…until the conversation gets uncomfortable. Autism advocate Kaelynn Partlow challenges the way our current support system is set up as it pertains to job training, and meaningful goals for those who are profoundly impacted by their autism.She introduces the metaphorical idea of the stepstool instead of the ladder — a new way to think about progress, contribution, and dignity for those who can’t meet society’s narrow definitions of success.If you care about inclusion, this is the autism conversation everyone needs to hear, but few are brave enough to have. Netflix’s “Love On the Spectrum”; Author of “Life On The Bridge”Kaelynn Partlow is an autistic therapist, public speaker, content creator, and author of Life on the Bridge. She shares autism insight through national speaking events, social media, and her work at Project Hope Foundation to promote real-world autism support and inclusion. 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

Che cos’è davvero la felicità? Per Circo Patuf non è un obiettivo lontano, ma un incontro: uno sguardo, una risata, una presenza condivisa. In questo talk, Fede e Lidy raccontano il loro viaggio umano e artistico, nato da un sogno di strada e diventato un progetto di circo sociale capace di portare emozioni nei luoghi dove il circo non arriva.Dalla Tunisia all’India, dai villaggi remoti ai cortili delle scuole, il linguaggio universale del gioco e del sorriso supera confini, culture e parole. Un racconto che ribalta il punto di vista: nel circo sociale i riflettori non sono sull’artista, ma sul pubblico. Un invito a rallentare, guardarsi negli occhi e riscoprire quanto, con poco, si possa fare tantissimo. Il Circo Patuf è una compagnia di circo contemporaneo itinerante che tocca principalmente le città venete più periferiche. I loro spettacoli uniscono circo, clown, teatro, danza, musica e poesia visiva, frutto di sperimentazione e collaborazione tra artisti. Negli ultimi anni, la compagnia affronta anche temi sociali come l’immigrazione e i conflitti, usando il linguaggio universale del circo per emozionare, far riflettere e coinvolgere il pubblico. 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

Why do some moments stay with us forever? In this talk, Theron Skees explores how emotionally resonant experiences become lasting memories through story, purpose, and design. Introducing the concept of Narrative Experience Design, he shows how storytelling can intentionally shape culture, engagement, and human connection—across brands, communities, and everyday life. A powerful reflection on how designing experiences with meaning can help people feel seen, connected, and part of something larger. Theron Skees, former Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, has over 30 years of experience transforming stories and narratives into engaging experiences for parks, destinations, and brands around the world. Through Narrative Experience Design, he shows how storytelling is an integral part of an organization's culture and strategy. 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