In 2023, Mike faced a life-altering event that would challenge even the strongest among us. Yet by 2024, inspired by the resilience of his hero, Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, he emerged not bitter — but better. In this unforgettable talk, Mike shares a powerful journey. It’s a story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and stay with you long after the final word. On February 13, 1985, my wife Angela fell 150 feet off a mountain in Durango, Colorado, breaking nearly every bone in her body. 38 years later, all the compounding medical problems came to a crescendo, as she passed away on December 28, 2023.How I managed to LET GO of her and rebuild my life after a wonderful 35 years with the first and only girlfriend of my entire life is based on the 1914 story of the Endurance expedition, where Ernest Shackleton led 27 others home safely after being shipwrecked and stranded in Antarctica for 2 years.I literally learned from Shackleton how to LET GO, see difficulty differently and how to choose better over bitter in bad moments. This story is one that will make you laugh and cry. Most important, it’s one you’ll never forget as you too live through your own Antarctic moments. 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
- 1:19Images of the universe—from the James Webb Space Telescope #shorts #tedx#shorts #tedx #ted #space #jameswebbtelescope #astronomy
- 13:43Aging into power | Teri Weinberg | TEDxPacific AvenueTeri Weinberg is a former NBC Entertainment EVP and award‑winning producer behind hits like The Office, Ugly Betty, and The Tudors. As founder of Yellow Brick Road Productions, she continues to pursue bold, culture‑shaping stories for television and film. She dares us to see every line on our face as a badge of honor. A triathlete, mentor, and unapologetic champion of radical self‑trust, Teri proves that getting older isn’t a setback, it’s our secret power. Teri Weinberg is the former EVP of NBC Entertainment and founder of Yellow Brick Road Productions. She was Co-EP of the Peabody, Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award-winning The Office, and EP of Ugly Betty (Peabody, Golden Globe, SAG winner), The Tudors (Golden Globe nominee), and NatGeo’s Emmy-nominated Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus. Her credits include Netflix’s Peabody-nominated Gentefied, festival winner Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story, and the multi-laureled documentary A Case for Kindness. A former EVP at Reveille (The Biggest Loser, 30 Days), she began her career at ICM. Weinberg sits on the board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, is a triathlete, and advocates for dog rescue and clean earth initiatives. 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
- 8:53Brain v. World:The Media & Mental Implications on Cross Eye | Shruthi Lingam | TEDxOlympiaHighSchoolThis talk explores how media narratives shape perceptions of Strabismus and the mental health challenges that can follow. Shruthi Lingam-Nattamai is a junior at Olympia High School who is passionate about the intersection between Health, STEM, and Public Policy. As someone who is an intense advocate for different health and medical related topics, she likes to spend a lot of her time researching different medical topics near to her heart and understanding the different social implications of them. Furthermore, Shruthi is zealous about spreading awareness in her community about different STEM/policy related issues. As leadership for her delegation’s Youth and Government as well as founder of her school’s Science Club and Science Olympiad, she has made a commitment to spreading awareness about Health and STEM in her community. In her free time, Shruthi likes to bake (especially macarons), sing, and binge watch reality TV! 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
- 10:31Agree to Disagree: Building Effective Political Dialogue | Gavin Cruz | TEDxOlympiaHighSchoolThis talk advocates for practical ways to bridge divides and build common ground in a heavily polarized political climate. Elected as one of the youngest national delegates to the Democratic National Convention, Gavin is no stranger to work in politics and government as a high school. He has worked on promoting civic engagement opportunities under the Association of Washington Student Leaders as well as serving as a state representative for the inaugural National Student Council. Despite how polarizing politics can be, he hopes to provide a platform for elected officials and young leaders to learn how to disagree effectively by debating the idea, not the character. 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
- 9:40REGENERANDO EL ALMA DE TU CEREBRO ADICTO | Orlando Vargas | TEDxHouse of FreedomEn su inspiradora charla, Orlando Vargas nos lleva en un recorrido revelador sobre el impacto de la adicción en el cerebro y el poder transformador de la neuroplasticidad. Bajo el título "Regenerando el alma de tu cerebro adicto", explora cómo la recuperación no solo es posible, sino científicamente comprobada.A través de una mirada integradora, Orlando presenta intervenciones efectivas que promueven la curación cerebral, como la psicoterapia (CBT, DBT), hábitos saludables como el sueño, ejercicio y nutrición, y prácticas espirituales como la meditación y la oración, que actúan como herramientas clave en la transformación neurológica (PMID: 31359242).Apoyado por evidencia científica (PMID: 32491743), explica que el cerebro tiene la capacidad de reorganizarse, adaptarse y formar nuevas conexiones, incluso tras los daños provocados por el uso de sustancias.Su mensaje es claro: el cerebro es el órgano del comportamiento, y su recuperación es central para restaurar la salud mental. La ciencia hoy confirma lo que muchos profesionales en rehabilitación han observado por años: la sanación es real, el cambio es posible y empieza en el cerebro. Orlando Vargas, CAP, es un consejero de adicciones y coach de salud dedicado a transformar vidas a través de la integración del bienestar mental, físico y espiritual. Con más de 15 años de experiencia sirviendo a individuos y familias afectadas por la adicción. Orlando aporta tanto compasión como perspectiva clínica a su trabajo. Actualmente, está cursando una maestría en Consejería en Salud Mental Clínica, y combina la neurociencia, la fe y la conciencia cultural para abogar por una sanación holística. 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
- 4:02Fashion and its effects on perception | Isabella Wallis | TEDxOlympiaHighSchoolThis talk shows how fashion fuels creativity and influences how we see ourselves and others. Isabella Wallis is a Junior at Olympia High School who is interested in fashion design and fashion history. She has a passion for representation and sustainability within the fashion industry and uses her free time making and upcycling her own clothes. Isabella hopes to continue her work in fashion professionally and continue learning and advocating for all people because style shouldn’t be exclusive but inclusive. 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
