What does perseverance really look like? For veteran and Paralympian Dennis Connors, it wasn’t just about training harder. It was about embracing vulnerability, leaning on community, and learning to love himself. From the podium in Paris to the powerful message he shares here, this talk is a reminder that true strength comes from the people who lift us up and the courage to let them in.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Dennis Connors is a Paralympic Silver Medalist, Paracycling World Champion, and Paraclimbing National Champion. During Dennis’ 9 years in the Marine Corps, completing 3 deployments to Iraq, he suffered from PTSD, multiple traumatic brain injuries, and in 2020, suffered his second stroke partially paralyzing his left side. Dennis faced setback after setback for years but was able to overcome them by creating a pathway through a new definition of perseverance. 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

How much of our individual greatness is held back by the things that scare us? That’s the question Mike Bennett had to answer for himself when he first picked up a jigsaw and started on a path to create wonder and spark joy through immersive storytelling.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Mike Bennett is an illustrator, immersive space designer, and self-proclaimed public joy creator. A lifelong cartoon enthusiast, Mike creates outdoor art via lawn signs, scavenger hunts, and educational displays like A to Zoo. Mike has built a community of 2 million+ global social media followers as well as immersive experiences like Dinolandia, a prehistoric adventure, and Wonderwood, a fantasy-inspired restaurant and mini-golf course. His latest venture, The Portland Aquarium, is a fully immersive educational walkthrough that takes people on a journey through five colorful biomes, brought to life with over 100 cartoon species created by Mike himself. The vibrant, larger-than-life cartoon illustrations, interactive displays, and playful storytelling spark curiosity and joy for guests of all ages. It’s part art exhibit, part educational adventure. 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

As a world-class photographer, Ivan McClellan’s eyes were truly opened when he was first exposed to the world of black cowboys. Instantly knowing he found his people, Ivan began his quest to create a world-class black rodeo that elevates the culture through media and live events encouraging young people to continue the legacy.******We could not do this without community support. With special thanks to the University of Oregon for their presenting partnership. The world-class stage production by For Good & Co. The incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press. Lastly, the brand identity and creative digital craft provided by our Agency of Record - Thesis. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com. Ivan McClellan is a photojournalist and founder/CEO of the Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo. His essays have been featured in ESPN, GQ, Atmos, Elle, W Magazine, and The New York Times. Ivan has led creative projects for Apple, Wrangler, Stetson, Adobe, Tecovas, Instagram, and US Bank. His work has been displayed in museums and galleries across the country including The Eiteljorg, Portland Art Museum, Phoenix Museum of Art, and Buffalo Bill Center of the West. 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 child’s strange little drawing of a cow was actually more powerful than you thought?In this insightful and entertaining talk, Tom Curtis, creator of Things I Have Drawn, takes us on a journey from funny Photoshop edits of children’s sketches to a serious call for preserving childhood imagination. With warmth and wit, he questions how schools, social media, and even well meaning "how to draw" videos risk suppressing creativity in favor of mimicry. As AI reshapes our perception of art and originality, Curtis makes a compelling case for encouraging children to draw their way and why that may be one of the most important creative choices we make for our future. Tom Curtis is on a mission to inject joy into the world of social media and beyond. As the 'dad' behind the wildly popular Instagram account @thingsihavedrawn, his lifelike transformations of children's doodles are a celebration of imagination, playfulness, and the power of human creativity.In his TEDxLancasterU talk, "That's Not How You Draw a Cow," Tom delves into how creativity in children is shaped, and what implications this might have on their future and ours. This thought-provoking exploration offers more than insights into kids’ art; it’s a bold call to reimagine how we cultivate creativity in a world that too often sidelines it.Expect a passionate rallying cry for a future where drawing is revered and nurtured — not just for our children, but for everyone. Tom’s talk will leave you questioning what you thought you knew about creativity and why the way forward may not be the one we’ve been taught. 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 a place where nothing felt familiar, she found strength in staying open and grounded in who she was. That’s how she adapted, grew, and eventually found a sense of home. Phimphiroon is a University student who wants to share her journey of learning a non-native (third) language – Spanish— and adapting to a new culture under pressure and time constraints. Her experience comes from studying abroad in New Zealand (English - speaking) and Spain (Spanish-speaking) While New Zealand was manageable, Spain posed significant language and cultural barriers.By she have a concept of talk that In Spain, she struggled with miscommunication and feeling out of place, as no one spoke English at her school. Within one month, she managed to speak Spanish fluently, not only improving her language her language but also strengthening her mental resilience and adaptability. 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 a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, how do we turn our ideas into something that truly matters? In this inspiring talk, social entrepreneur Nathan Shoesmith shares the mindset and tools needed to navigate today’s fast changing world. Drawing from personal experience and working with changemakers, Nathan explores three essential drivers of real world impact: embracing change, building resilience, and cultivating communities. Whether you're starting a movement, launching a business, or simply trying to make sense of it all this talk will help you move from confusion to clarity, and from idea to impact. Nathan Shoesmith is a social entrepreneur, strategist, and author based in the North West of England. A graduate of Management, Politics, and International Relations from Lancaster University, Nathan has worked across a variety of sectors, focusing on creating positive impacts for local and wider communities.Co-Founder and Director of The Speaker, a youth-led digital media nonprofit, Nathan is dedicated to making often confusing topics more accessible and inspiring young people to get involved in social action. At GC Insight, Nathan works on economic development, social and regeneration projects across the UK - while he additionally offers strategic advice to organisations including YoungMinds.An author and award-winning social entrepreneur, Nathan has written books that seek to share important stories including Brain Injuries: Our Hidden Journeys and 2020 As It Happened. 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