How a gorilla got me into the Olympics | Elsa Sanlara (Sanchez-Lara) | TEDxPortsmouth
When Elsa Sanlara joined Mexico’s National Taekwondo Team at just 17, she thought she was training for medals. But the lessons that shaped her most weren’t about winning—they were about becoming. In this powerful TEDx talk, Elsa shares how elite athletic training prepared her for something even harder: adapting as an immigrant, challenging stereotypes, and finding her place in unfamiliar environments.
With humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Elsa explores what it means to redefine success—and where true strength really comes from. Her story is a reminder that some of the toughest battles aren’t fought in the ring—and the biggest victories don’t come with medals.
Elsa is a former Mexican National Taekwondo Team member, bringing the discipline and perseverance of her sport to life’s challenges. With years of experience leading HR and Operations teams, she has transformed workplace cultures, creating environments where people thrive. Her book, Repeat Offender, explores grief and resilience, while her column in La Jornada Morelos reflects on the immigrant experience and the healing power of laughter. Through her Instagram, Elsa shares relatable struggles with humor, inspiring others to embrace change and rewrite their own stories. 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
More from TED
- 4:54Women in IT | Shavkat Karimov | TEDxAmerican University of TechnologyTechnology is shaping our future—but who’s shaping technology? This talk shines a light on the challenges and triumphs of women in the IT world, breaking stereotypes and inspiring change. It’s a powerful call to create a more inclusive tech industry where innovation thrives through diversity. Entrepreneur, investor, mentor, keynote speaker, top-level executive. Earlier, he worked as a Head of SEO at Microsoft, leading one of its most visited websites: Microsoft Community (Answers). Most recently was a Vice President of SEO at BOLD, a leader in the resume/career fields.Shavkat got 2 degrees: International Law (UWED in Uzbekistan) and Film Directing (VGIK in Russia), created 20 short films, wrote 3 books, created 2 social networks, was one of the biggest web directory owners in the world, lived and worked in the USA, Canada, Sweden, Belgium and other countries.Shavkat came to the US as an extraordinary person (EB1A), he returned to Uzbekistan to share his experience and knowledge with young generation of Uzbekistan. 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
- 7:28What leaders can learn from owls | Teagan Collins | TEDxWestbourne Grammar YouthWhat the wise old owl taught me about leadership... Currently Associate Principal at Westbourne Grammar School, Teagan is an experienced educational leader, passionate about crafting quality student experience. She understands schools thrive when teachers and students are supported and know they matter. Teagan has experience leading school wide approaches to teaching and learning, wellbeing, and professional learning programs. Teagan actively embraces lifelong learning and holds a Bachelor of Physical Education (Secondary), Master of Education (Management and Leadership), Master of Business Administration (Executive), Professional Certificate in Positive Psychology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is currently a PhD student at Deakin University. 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
- 10:36Talk Less, Convince More | Alice Arora & Gabby Marinova | TEDxHarry Ainlay School YouthAlice and Gabby explain how body language, delivery, and clarity can help you be convincing while giving a presentation. Alice and Gabby will be speaking to you about the ability to persuade an audience and convince anyone of your point. Join them as they perform an entertaining and informative 2 person Ted Talk. 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
- 8:47How individualized learning helped me find my potential | Christiana Garcia | TEDxDel Mar YouthChristiana shares how individualized learning can unlock a student’s true potential by honoring their unique pace, strengths, and passions, showing that when education adapts to the learner, every child can thrive freely and confidently. Christiana is a 17-year-old rising senior whose journey has been shaped by perseverance and purpose. Diagnosed with learning differences starting at age three, Christiana has been homeschooled since kindergarten. Her unique educational path sparked a deep passion for advocating for students with learning differences, leading her to speak at special needs teacher conferences. You can usually find Christiana stepping into the role of an attorney in mock trials or sharing her love for martial arts by teaching karate to kids. Her motto is “¡Sí se puede!” (“Yes, you can!”), And she lives it daily, believing in the power of perseverance and positivity. 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
- 7:26Saving Penguins, Saving us | Ryan Junghoo Lim | TEDxDel Mar YouthRyan felt a deep sense of responsibility after learning how human actions were threatening the penguins' survival and realizing they could go extinct. In his TED Talk, he shared what we can do to help save them and why every small action matters. Ryan is 10 years old and heading into 5th grade at Del Mar Heights School (2025–2026). He loves Science and Math and spends his free time reading, playing golf, and building with LEGO. Ryan lives in San Diego and was born in Seoul, Korea. 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
- 17:58Celebremos las diferencias | Horacio García-Rojas | TEDxAnahuacUniversityHoracio García Rojas toma el escenario de las TEDx Anáhuac University organizadas por Vértice, el Programa de Excelencia Anáhuac y nos invita a reconectar con nuestra identidad, reconocer la riqueza de nuestras raíces y cuestionar las estructuras que nos han dividido. Celebra la diversidad como fuente de fuerza y recuerda que, sin importar el origen, cada voz y cada sueño tiene valor y merece ser escuchado. Actor, productor y director. Él nos dice "Celebremos las diferencias, sin olvidar que esas diferencias han generado un sistema que oprime a un@s mientras beneficia a otr@s". 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
