NOTE FROM TED: This talk contains a discussion of abuse. While some viewers may find this talk helpful, please consult a mental health professional and do not look to this talk as a substitute for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and experiences. 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/t...

Bridey Thelen-Heidel was thirty-three and had beaten the odds stacked against someone raised by addicts and abusers. She had a beautiful life and a successful teaching career; unfortunately, the trauma she tucked away waited to be triggered by a song or a familiar smell. With no way out, the trauma wreaked havoc on her body—shutting down her systems and nearly killing her. The past was controlling her present, and she wanted her life back. Bridey believes we have the power in us to overcome our trauma, to put a safety lock on the triggers, and to create a normal and functional life. While we must use all resources available as we heal—therapy, meditation, self-help guides—it’s important we remember that the very qualities we developed to survive can also help us to thrive. As Glinda the Good Witch tells the Scarecrow when Dorothy asks for help to find her way home, “She always had the power. She just had to learn it for herself.”
Bridey Thelen-Heidel is an award-winning English teacher, writer, and youth advocate. Her memoir, Bright Eyes, will be published by SheWrites Press in August 2024, and her work with LGBT+ youth has been celebrated in Read This, Save Lives and California Educator. She recently performed in Listen to Your Mother NYC and is a frequent podcast guest, speaking about the resilience, optimism, and bravery she developed surviving her abusive upbringing that she now uses to live the life of her dreams. 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