What improv can teach you about risk-taking | Sehar Manji | TEDxSherbrooke Street West
What if play isn’t the opposite of work, but the best way to get ready for real life? How do we move forward when self-doubt, discomfort, and the myth of “readiness” hold us back? Veteran improviser, actor, writer, instructor, and public speaking coach, Sehar Manji shares how Improv reshaped her mindset and helped her exercise resilience, presence, self-trust and adaptability in a low-stakes space – where play rewires your brain to handle uncertainty.What can improv teach us about navigating the unknown? Through interactive moments, practical insights, and personal stories, Sehar invites us to rethink our relationship with failure, control, perfectionism and fear, and shows how play rewires how we respond under pressure, both on stage and in life.No script, no prep, and no pressure to be perfect. Improv lets you start exactly where you are. Whether you're navigating change, craving more creative energy, or simply waiting for permission to try something new, this talk offers a new way forward: one where you don’t have to be ready. You just have to press play. Born and raised in Nairobi, Sehar Manji is a veteran improviser, actor, writer, comedian, and instructor based in Montreal. Since stepping into her first improv class in 2010, she has gone on to perform across stage and screen. A longtime presence in Montreal’s improv, sketch, and comedy scene, she was among the first South Asian performers to appear regularly on local improv stages.
Her work spans improv and comedy festivals across North America, including Just For Laughs and OFF-JFL; a spot in CBC’s Kim’s Convenience Emerging Writers’ Room; and on-screen credits in Transplant (NBC), Pillow Talk (Crave), and the upcoming film Love & Chaos. She has also appeared in numerous commercials (including one alongside Ryan Reynolds), and made her professional theatre debut in The Rishta at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre. 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
- 8:46Can We Change the Outer World by Transforming Our Inner Self? | Qianhui Sun | TEDxGHCIS Youth"True transformation begins within." This simple sentence links the whole speech together, and embodies the philosophy imparted by Qianhui Sun. Utilising the stories of Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Malala, how inner strength can reshape the external world is perfectly demonstrated by her. In her speech, she described how Michael Jordan turned relentless self-reflection and perseverance into a legendary basketball career; Oprah Winfrey harnessed emotional intelligence and empathy to transform countless lives; and Malala converted trauma into a global force for education and peace, even in the face of violence. Their journeys show that external success is never accidental—it springs from self-awareness and unshakable conviction. Qianhui suggested in her speech that, too often, we chase outward achievements, yet lasting fulfillment comes from nurturing our inner growth and staying true to our values. By cultivating self-awareness and emotional wisdom, we don’t just change ourselves—we ripple outward, touching lives and, ultimately, reshaping the world. Six months ago, I added "TEDx Talk" to my bucket list – and that dream has been brought to fruition. As I crafted my speech, one phrase perfectly encapsulated the "Inside Out" concept to me: "True transformation begins within." The stories of Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, and Malala all demonstrate how inner strength reshapes the external world.Michael Jordan turned relentless self-reflection and perseverance into a legendary basketball career. Oprah Winfrey harnessed empathy to transform countless lives. Malala converted trauma into a global force for education and peace even in the face of violence. Their journeys taught me that external success is never accidental—it springs from self-awareness and unshakable conviction. Too often, we chase outward achievements, yet lasting fulfillment comes from nurturing our inner growth and staying true to our values. By cultivating wisdom, we don’t just change ourselves—we ripple outward, touch lives and ultimately reshape the 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
- 11:08The Silicon Future of Bangladesh | ?????? ????? | TEDxCOUDiscover the future of technology in Bangladesh with Ananya Zaman’s TEDxCoU talk, “The Silicon Future of Bangladesh.” As the chief editor of PC Builder Bangladesh, Ananya highlights the pioneering work of UlkaSemi, Bangladesh’s own chip manufacturer, and explains why chips are the core of the modern world’s innovation. He discusses how the global shift is centered around semiconductor technology and urges us to prepare ourselves with the skills and vision needed to thrive in this silicon-powered era. This inspiring talk is a call to action for Bangladesh to embrace the digital revolution and become a key player in the global tech ecosystem. A????? ?????, Chief Editor of PC Builder Bangladesh, as one of our speakers this year. His work opens doors to technology for those who once thought it wasn’t for them — proving that shared knowledge can transform communities and unlock new opportunities. 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
- 17:55TEDxUSFQ - Andy Vallejo | Andy Vallejo| TEDxUSFQ | Andy Vallejo | TEDxUSFQ? Andy Vallejo en TEDxUSFQ Visions Creativo ecuatoriano detrás de grandes marcas como Netflix y Coca-Cola ?. Creative Director Creativo ecuatoriano con más de 16 años de experiencia trabajando en diferentes países como Estados Unidos, Ecuador, Colombia y Argentina.A lo largo de su carrera Andy ha creado más de 200 campañas publicitarias para varios clientes entre ellos Walmart, Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Netflix, YouTube, Chevrolet.Su trabajo creativo ha sido reconocido a nivel mundial en los festivales más prestigiosos del mundo como Cannes Lions, Clio Awards, The One Show, Design & Art Direction Awards, entre otros.En el 2020 Andrés quedó rankeado como el 5to mejor creativo latinoamericano por The One Club of Creativity.Amante de las montañas, del diseño, la tipografía y la comida ecuatoriana. 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
- 14:09Born at 20 Weeks, Autism, ADHD - “If We Won, You Can Too" | Audrey WIlliams Joseph | TEDxBeckenhamA former athlete turned entrepreneur reveals how three impossible races - her son's 20-week birth, autism, ADHD, and building hope from nothing - proved that feeling unqualified can become your secret weapon for winning against impossible odds. Audrey Williams Joseph transformed personal struggle into opportunity. When systems failed her autistic son, she created an "Outstanding" rated care facility. A resilient single parent who captivates audiences with her journey from challenge to champion. 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
- 8:40Inside, Out-Embrace Our Inner Self | Wanjing Lin | TEDxGHCIS YouthThis talk cleverly utilised examples from the speaker's personal experience and well-known cinematic productions to approach the concept that all individuals have two sides of life--the exterior masks and the interior true self. By proposing several methods, she examplifies and articulates the importance of knowing our true selves, to get to know the person behind the "masks", and try to act as we truly are through life. "Being chosen to take part in the TEDxGHCIS event is an honor, and right now, I want to declare, "I did it!" I gained a deep understanding of the true meaning of the saying "one minute on the stage, ten years of work under the stage" from the repeated refining of the topic, the frame-by-frame polishing of the speech, the repeated practice on the fifth floor of the Yuanpei building’s corridor, enduring the cold wind, to the speech delivered on stage with ease. I am grateful to TEDxGHCIS for giving me this enormous platform, to the instructor for her expert advice, and most importantly, to myself for my persistence! I conquered my inner anxiety the minute I stood on stage and understood that this speech was not just the convey of thought but also the starting point of thought resonance. I hope to be able to take part in it again in the future!" 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
- 7:31What We Don't Know about Cliche | Yingqi Zhang | TEDxGHCIS YouthIn this speech, Yingqi Zhang delved into clichés and discovered that they are not just empty expressions; in fact, they carry our so many shared stories and experiences. While many people roll their eyes at phrases like "love at first sight" or "think outside the box," I believe that it is precisely these seemingly ordinary phrases that can bring us closer together as a community. He reached a realisation in this talk, that the charm of clichés lies in their ability to convey our emotions, emotions that almost everyone has experienced. They are like an old friend—though the words may be a bit repetitive, hearing them always warms the heart. Therefore, he called on to stop simply criticizing them and instead explore the true meanings behind these expressions. This speech aims to make the audience reflect that perhaps the next time they hear a cliché, they should pause and think, "What truths does it hold for me?" By doing so, we might find more resonance and understanding, making communication more effective and vivid. "In this speech, I delved into clichés and discovered that they are not just empty expressions; in fact, they carry our so many shared stories and experiences. While many people roll their eyes at phrases like "love at first sight" or "think outside the box," I believe that it is precisely these seemingly ordinary phrases that can bring us closer together as a community.I realized that the charm of clichés lies in their ability to convey our emotions, emotions that almost everyone has experienced. They are like an old friend—though the words may be a bit repetitive, hearing them always warms the heart. Therefore, I decided to stop simply criticizing them and instead explore the true meanings behind these expressions. This speech made me reflect that perhaps the next time I hear a cliché, I should pause and think, "What truths does it hold for me?" By doing so, we might find more resonance and understanding, making communication more effective and vivid." 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