Life often hands us challenges that make us question everything we know about ourselves. For Renee Exelbert, that challenge was cancer. While some call these experiences “gifts,” the real question is: what do we do with a gift we never asked for? In this talk, Renee explores how life’s hardest moments can be transformed into powerful sources of strength, meaning, and possibility. Dr. Renee A. Exelbert is a licensed psychologist, certified elite personal trainer, and author dedicated to exploring the mind-body connection in healing and empowerment. She is the Founding Director of The Metamorphosis Center for Psychological and Physical Change, where she integrates psychotherapy and exercise to help individuals regain control of their bodies and minds. A four-time cancer survivor, Dr. Exelbert has turned her personal battle into a mission—guiding others through resilience, strength, and transformation. She previously served as a Staff Psychologist at NYU Winthrop Hospital Cancer Center, working with pediatric cancer patients, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at NYU Steinhardt. A sought-after speaker and media expert, she shares her insights on mental and physical well-being in her book, Chemo Muscles: Lessons Learned from Being a Psycho-Oncologist and Cancer Patient. 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

We’re taught to compete — for success, recognition, and results. But what if collaboration, not competition, is the real path to progress? In this talk, Dr. Bernie Mullin explores how working together has driven innovation, built stronger communities, and led to wins that competition alone could never achieve. Discover why collaboration isn’t just the kinder option — it’s the smarter one. Dr. Bernie Mullin is a renowned sports business leader, strategist, and author with a career defined by transforming struggling teams into thriving franchises. The first foreign-born CEO of a U.S. major league sports team, he has led at the highest levels of MLB, NBA, NHL, and international hockey, setting attendance records and driving billion-dollar growth.As the creator of the NBA’s groundbreaking TMBO consulting group, he helped teams generate $250 million annually in new revenue. He later founded The Aspire Group, which has generated over $1.75 billion for 300+ global organizations. A Sports Business Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Mullin continues to shape the future of sports, leadership, and the American Dream through consulting, philanthropy, and his best-selling book, Reimagining America’s Dream. 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

We all want to solve the plastic problem — but what if our solutions are making it worse? In this talk, Bengu challenges common assumptions about plastic and invites us to rethink what real change might look like. Bengu Mete is a chemical engineering researcher with expertise in materials science and bioengineering. Her work explores the complex role of plastics in modern society, from their essential applications in medicine and technology to their environmental impact. With a focus on sustainable materials and innovative solutions, she challenges conventional narratives around plastic use, advocating for smarter, climate-conscious strategies. Through her research, Mete aims to bridge the gap between sustainability and practicality, shaping a future where materials science drives positive change. 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

What does identity mean when you’ve never belonged to the majority? Born in Iraq to a Turkmen family, Lahib grew up navigating life as a minority — in Iraq, in Lebanon, and later in the United States. In this talk, she shares her journey across cultures and borders, reflecting on how identity is shaped, questioned, and ultimately redefined when you’re always the outsider. Lahib Jaddo is an Iraqi-born artist, architect, and educator whose work spans painting, sculpture, and storytelling. Born in Baghdad to a Turkmen family, she spent her formative years in Iraq and Lebanon before immigrating to the U.S., where she earned a Master of Architecture and a Master of Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. Jaddo's art explores themes of memory, displacement, and cultural identity, blending her Middle Eastern heritage with her deep connection to the American landscape. She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally and is the subject of the award-winning documentary Jaddoland. 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

Dementia remains one of the greatest constraints on human longevity. For decades, it has been understood primarily as a disease of dying brain cells—an inevitable consequence of ageing. That view is now being transformed. Emerging evidence shows that dementia is, in large part, a disorder of brain cell repair and maintenance, not simply cell death. Crucially, this process begins early in life, long before symptoms appear. This re-framing changes everything: it suggests that dementia may not be an unavoidable fate of old age, but a preventable condition. In this new paradigm, longevity and mental clarity can coexist—offering a far more hopeful future for ageing well. Dr. Steve Allder is a Consultant Neurologist at Re:Cognition Health and a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of brain health. With over two decades of experience, he is recognised for his expertise across the full spectrum of neurological disorders including dementia, migraine, neurological pain, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and functional neurological disorders (FND). He leads advanced clinical and medicolegal services spanning civilian, military and sports-related neurological injury, and is at the forefront of integrating neuroscience, psychiatry and technology to deliver better outcomes. A passionate advocate for innovation, Dr Allder is the Principal Investigator on several global trials in Parkinson’s disease and has led pioneering research in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, the Aston Brain Centre and the University of York. His work is reshaping how we diagnose and treat conditions like mild TBI, using neuro-computational models and sophisticated imaging techniques such as MEG and high-resolution MRI. A founding member of the FND Society, Dr Allder has contributed extensively to building new clinical frameworks for complex neurological care. With dozens of publications and global collaborations, he remains committed to advancing early detection and treatment strategies for cognitive disorders and chronic neurological conditions. A former NHS neurologist with a background in acute care and neuro-otology, Dr Allder combines clinical depth, academic rigour and a visionary approach to understanding and treating the injured, and ageing, brain. 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

Es posible desafiar el miedo y trazar el camino hacia una mejor versión como profesionistas, con el apoyo de mentores, familia y mucha dedicación, confiando en las habilidades adquiridas para potenciar el talento y así materializar los sueños a pesar de la presión social. Diseñador gráfico y productor mexicano especializado en branding, packaking e ilustración. Egresado de la Universidad del Valle de Puebla en 2018, se convirtió en el diseñador más jóven en ganar el Premio a! Diseño 2019 en la categoría profesional con "Mezcal Colores de Oaxaca". En 2023 diseñó la icónica bucket de KFC- NFL para el Super Bowl y fue seleccionado nuevamente en 2024 para su aniversario, con mención en Rolling Stone México. Estudia Master en Packaking en LABASAD, Barcelona. Liderea su estudio Carreto Cencepts Designs Studio. 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