The biggest gift of giving a tedx talk?

The biggest gift of giving a
tedx talk?

My ‘One Word’ this week is: BECAUSE

‘𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝’: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

People often say a 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 talk isn’t just another speaking opportunity—it’s a launchpad for paid gigs, book deals, and media exposure.

That might be true. But for me, the greatest gift wasn’t any of that.

𝐼𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑝𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒.

A little backstory:

I had made a bold move—leaving my corporate career after helping my son, Zach, tell his story through 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 in his college applications. That process helped him get accepted to his dream school, 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦.

I knew this idea couldn’t 🛑 with him.

I wanted to help people communicate 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒—beyond titles, accomplishments, and credentials. But here I was, doubting myself.

Truth be told—I never applied for my 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 Manhattan Beach talk. I was invited.

Diana Allen, a member of the curation team, had gone through my 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 program. She saw something in me—something I hadn’t yet seen in myself. She believed the simplicity of my 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 philosophy was an idea worth spreading.

My first reaction?

🚫 “No way can I do this.”

🚫 “People will think my 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 philosophy is ridiculous.”

🚫 “How the hell am I going to fit everything into a 13-minute talk?”

But Diana wasn’t having any of that.

The 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 Manhattan Beach boot camp was the hardest personal development journey I had ever experienced.

This was right after COVID, a time when everything still felt uncertain. I had to go back into 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑦—not because I didn’t believe in my idea, but because I didn’t want to let Diana down. I needed help sorting through the terrifying emotions I was feeling—the fear that I wasn’t going to be successful on that 🔴.

That bootcamp was the greatest gift the Manhattan Beach team could have given me.

They helped me articulate the power of my 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 philosophy.

✅ Clarity for Others – A 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑 to tell your story.

✅ Clarity for Yourself – A 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 to guide your future decisions.

The Moment Everything Changed:

When I stepped off that 🔴, I believed.

💪🏻 I believed my idea could transform how people see themselves.

💪🏻 I believed my voice mattered.

The confidence I gained from doing 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱? Far more valuable than any speaking gig, book deal, or media opportunity that came my way.

So if you’re thinking about doing a 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 talk, don’t do it for the applause.

Do it for the 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒…

𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 when you stand on that stage, fully owning your idea, you’ll walk away knowing—without a doubt—that your message can impact lives.

Diana and team, thank you for changing the trajectory of mine.

🎤 Watch my 𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐱 talk—👇.

I guarantee you’ll walk away wondering,

What is my 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝?