NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk as a substitute for mental health advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of spirituality, addiction, and breathwork. Several claims lack sufficient scientific support. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. 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.pdfStruggling with #midlife #burnout or #addiction? This talk reveals how surrender, breath, and flow states can transform escapism into personal freedom. Leif Bjelland shares his journey through alcohol addiction, ultra cycling, and breathwork, offering a practical roadmap for emotional healing and reconnection to self. Discover how turning inward—rather than running away—can unlock clarity, resilience, and joy.The Heroic Breathwork experience blends Neurodynamic breathing with immersive sound journeys to help participants release stress, interrupt trauma patterns, and reconnect with their inner compass. Rooted in Leif’s passion for physics, cosmology, metaphysics, and somatic science, the work bridges the rational and the mystical—offering grounded practices that support real transformation. Leif Bjelland is the founder of Heroic Breathwork and the visionary behind Transcend Today, an online platform devoted to helping people access clarity, resilience, and emotional freedom through the breath. Formerly the founder of the nationally recognized Le Petit Outre bakery in Montana, Leif spent two decades building a life around craft and community—earning a Micro Business of Montana and James Beard Award nomination along the way. After stepping away from business, a new path unfolded. His transformation began through ultra-endurance cycling and Transcendental Meditation, and deepened during the weeks he spent at his mother’s ICU bedside, witnessing her drift in and out of consciousness. That experience sparked a lifelong inquiry into consciousness and the true nature of reality. 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

Behind the polished image of many successful Indian and NRI families lies a quiet struggle—emotional disconnection, generational distance, and unspoken pain.In this powerful TEDx talk, Abhishek Srivastava, one of India’s most trusted family transformation coaches, reveals the silent emotional crisis that affects high-performing families across the globe.Drawing on 15+ years of experience with business families, founders, and Indian-origin professionals, Abhishek shares: ✅ Why love fades even when wealth grows ✅ What stops fathers, mothers, and children from truly connecting ✅ How legacy can become a burden—and how to make it a blessing ✅ A simple framework for emotional alignment and relational healing If your family has achieved everything… except peace—this talk is for you. Abhishek Srivastava is a Family Transformation Coach who helps high-achieving Indian and NRI families heal what success often hides—emotional disconnection. For over 15 years, Abhishek has worked with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and next-generation heirs across the globe, helping them restore relationships, navigate generational conflicts, and rebuild emotional trust within families. Using a rare blend of NLP, Chakra healing, and systemic family coaching, he creates fast, sustainable results—without long therapy cycles or public exposure. His work is deeply private, deeply personal, and deeply powerful. 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 heartfelt talk, Gayatri opens up about her experience with high-functioning social anxiety—appearing confident and composed on the outside while struggling with fear, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion within. Through personal stories, she explores the journey from silent suffering to healing with the help of therapy, NLP, and a strong support system. This talk sheds light on the hidden reality of social anxiety and the courage it takes to ask for help and reclaim your voice. Gayatri is a passionate educator, certified NLP practitioner, and special needs education expert, deeply committed to emotional and mental well-being. As the founder of Sva Eternal, she has trained countless educators, professionals, and individuals, helping them discover tools for resilience, clarity, and inner transformation. A spiritual and emotional intelligence coach, Gayatri works closely with people on their journey to self-awareness—guiding them to reconnect with their authentic selves and live more meaningful lives. Her mission is rooted in compassion and a strong belief in giving back to society through conscious, heart-led action. An artist at soul, she is also a published poet and an ardent lover of music and the arts. Her words reflect deep emotional insight and a celebration of the human experience. Sva Eternal brings together education, healing, and creative expression, creating transformative spaces where individuals can thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. 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

"""Confidence Is a Muscle, Not a Trait: The Science Behind Self-Assurance""? ""You don’t need to feel ready to begin. You just need to begin to feel ready.""For years, I believed confidence was something you were born with — until I discovered it’s actually something you build. In this TEDx Talk, I break down the science and psychology behind self-assurance, revealing why confidence isn’t a trait reserved for the bold, but a skill anyone can develop.? What you’ll learn: - The neuroplasticity secret to rewiring your brain for confidenceWhy small wins matter more than ""big moments""How to train your confidence muscle (practical daily exercises)- The key difference between confidence and arroganceIf you’ve ever held yourself back because you didn’t feel ""enough,"" this talk is for you. Confidence isn’t about being fearless — it’s about showing up despite the fear. And you’re stronger than you think. " Grace Jaganavi, a passionate Soft Skills and Communication Trainer with nearly a decade of experience since 2016, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She has had the honor to speak on renowned platforms such as GK Talks (Canada) and Josh Talks (India). She is committed to helping individuals communicate with confidence, clarity, and authenticity. She began her career as a full-time trainer with leading IT companies before transitioning into successful freelance training, where she now runs her own business. She has had the privilege of empowering over 5,000+ students across 25+ colleges and 500+ corporate employees across 12+ companies with essential soft skills, communication techniques, and placement training. She has been to colleges & prestigious schools as a chief guest and esteemed speaker. 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 if your wardrobe held the secret to unlocking your potential?" In this empowering talk, Growth Mindset Coach Bhoomika Diwan invites you to rethink personal growth — starting right at your closet. With the concept of enclothed cognition as a foundation, she introduces a transformational 3D formula — Drive, Discipline, and Dispersion — that helps you style not just your outfit but your entire life. Learn how what you wear can influence how you think, act, and grow. Discover how color, fabric, and intentional dressing can act as daily cues to align your mindset with your goals. Just like a rocket needs escape velocity, you need momentum — and it starts with what you put on every morning. From tailoring your clothes to tailoring your mindset, this talk empowers you to paint your life’s canvas with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Because true success starts… at the closet door. Bhoomika Diwan is a seasoned IT Professional with 18 years of industry experience and a distinguished Growth Coach, Author, and Spiritual Practitioner with over a decade of expertise in personal transformation. While excelling in the technology domain, her true passion lies in facilitating inner transformation and empowering individuals to realize their fullest potential. Her integrative approach combines NLP, coaching frameworks, and spiritual wisdom to help break through limiting beliefs, gain self-awareness, and align with their authentic purpose. An advocate of art as a medium for healing, she channels her insights through writing—having co-authored two impactful books and regularly sharing reflective content. With a deep commitment to conscious living and holistic growth, she exemplifies authenticity, clarity, and purpose, making a meaningful impact across disciplines and lives she touches. 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

"From Burnout to Bold Action What do you do when success on the outside feels empty inside? In this powerful TEDx talk, Namita Ambani—former CEO turned Action & Clarity Coach—shares her deeply personal story of burnout, transformation, and purpose. Learn how to break free from hidden stuckness, rediscover your “why,” and take aligned, bold steps toward your next chapter. ✨ Watch if you're high-achieving but quietly struggling. ✨ Stay for a framework that could change your life. Namita Ambani is an Action & Clarity Coach who empowers ambitious professionals and business owners to break free from overwhelm and take focused, purpose-driven action. A marketing topper from the S.P. Jain Centre of Management, where led global retail forums and strategic presentations across the Middle East. As a former CEO, turnaround strategist, and serial entrepreneur, she has driven business transformations, launched ventures that reached operational breakeven in just 30 days, and achieved 300% revenue growth. Her work has earned nominations for the IAMAI Digital Awards, and recognition in the media for launching The Organic Lunchbox—a disruptive, healthy food initiative that redefined lunchtime wellness. Invited as a coach at the prestigious WICCI Ignite Shakti event for 2 years. She now brings her powerful framework, the Instant Shift Method, to help professionals gain clarity, make confident decisions, and stay anchored to what truly matters. 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