How Gratitude & Reflection Saved My Life | David O'Mahoney | TEDxBristol
‘Resilience’ and ‘Self Care’ are the wellbeing buzzwords of our time, but what do they really mean, and how do they apply when life knocks you devastatingly off-course?
Former soldier in the Household Cavalry escorting Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II on state occasions, David O’Mahoney was living his dream and at the height of his profession. Then in 2011, his life changed beyond all recognition when a freak car accident left him in a coma, with the doctors suggesting his life support be turned off.
Against all odds, he survived the accident, but he soon learned that surviving would be the easy part, battling with life-changing injuries and crushing depression. Then a chance encounter with a mental health professional challenged him to start a ‘gratitude’ diary, and kick-started his mission to create a radically different lifestyle and daily regime. His story of overcoming continued adversity demonstrates that anything is possible, and sometimes life’s biggest blows can result in a journey of empowerment and personal enlightenment.
Credits:
Our talks and films are produced, filmed and edited by a brilliant team of talented volunteers and pro-bono partners:
Directed and Produced by Mel Rodrigues, Creative Director TEDxBristol
Production Manager: Clare Crossley
Filmed and edited by Floating Harbour:
Richard da Costa
Reuben Gaines
Chessie Sharman
Raph Watson
Tom Young
Ben Scrase
Dan O'Connell David O’Mahoney spent much of his childhood moving from home to home, living in areas where crime was normalised. He kept himself out of trouble but witnessed friends and family frequently imprisoned and living on the wrong side of the law.
Age 24, David decided a positive change was needed in his life and joined the British Army. He quickly found himself posted to Knightsbridge barracks in London, where he would go straight into a ceremonial season full of pomp, pageantry, and working hours that were incomparable to anything in civilian life.
Having escorted Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II on numerous state occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour, David was achieving things personally and professionally that meant he was flying higher than he could have ever imagined.
In 2011, David’s life was to change beyond all recognition. He was knocked over by a car and suffered a brain injury with a mortality rate of 97%. Doctors wrote him off but he fought for his life and won. He soon learned that surviving would be the easy part - struggling to adjust to life outside the Armed Forces and living with the side effects of his injuries, which included anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
However through a lot of personal work, and a chance encounter with a mental health professional who challenged him to start a ‘gratitude’ diary, he has carved out a new life which adapts to his injuries but still brings challenge, ambition and connection.
He says: “My biggest wish is to help others triumph over their own tough times, so I’ve started a business inspired by my personal battles. I share my own hard-won lessons and the tools I use every day with veterans suffering from PTSD, schoolchildren, young men in prisons, major corporate execs and more.”
His journey post-injury has taken him from walking the flag in at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics just days after brain surgery to becoming a dynamic, outspoken voice for mental health awareness. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Пікірлер: 48
my best talk ever 🙏
Gratitude is medicine...
Gratitude is one of the most important features of lifestyle medicine
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you my friend, today I am truly grateful for you Dare Gratefully
@Gratitude, an expansion on "count your Blessings day by day " but more personal
Inspirational
Absolute INSPIRATION! Such a pleasure to meet you David. Thank you for your incredible talk.
💚❤ What an incredible speech! I am so grateful for being able to hear it what a gift it is. Thank you David hearing your story is a true gift. ❤💚
@davidomahoney523
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Jessica, your words mean a great deal. Follow my journey on Instagram @daringgratefully
Thank U Sir. 💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌💌
Thank you, David. The talk was inspiring and reaffirmed the importance of gratitude in our lives...
Thank you! You are a truly amazing person.
So similar to my own pedestrian multi vehicle injury . One day, I hope to finish school, work in some fashion, and have a positive impact on others. Thank you for reminding me that there can be a future past sTBI.
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you grace for your kind words, I’m so grateful for them and you. You are in control of what you can do, dare gratefully and never give up
@ilhammahmoud9453
3 жыл бұрын
i hope you're doing well. ♥️
Top bloke and a true inspiration. Never met anyone so strong and determined. Pleasure to work beside and leads by example. Love you mo miss you Cleatus xx
Thank you David for sharing your story with so much honesty, and inspiring me to bring more gratitude and compassion to my life. This video should be required viewing for anyone having a bad day or needing a little motivation - we all have the power to change our lives for the better and help the people around us do the same.
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you Christina, it was a dream that became reality the moment our paths crossed on that ski lift. Without your selfless support a dream would have stayed just that. To share this with you means the world to me and I am privileged to have you as a friend and mentor in my life.
Bless you David, brain injury Warrior. A long journey but you got to your destination... LIFE!! You bring hope to this 18 yr brain Warrior at age 64.
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Patti, an absolute pleasure. Thank you for your kind words, today I am grateful for you. Dare Gratefully
@pattieisinger1121
4 жыл бұрын
@@davidomahoney523 Bless you also. First I saw this. XXOX
Thank you so much
awesome speech.....and name 😀
Thank you thank you for your sharing. So grateful for that 🙏🏻❤️
Great speech David. A tale of survival and dealing a traumatic incident.
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Tha k you for your kind words, I am most grateful for you Dare Gratefully
What a beautiful talk and beautiful person! Thank you, David, for being such an inspiration! ❤️
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Laetitia, thank you for your kind words, I am most grateful Dare Gratefully
Thank You. Please could you explain the past part again. How the most unhappy thought gets replaced or wrapped in the most happy? Thank you
Thank u sir i love your talk..it inspires me.wish to email u sir
Super super super super thanks!!Awesome!!
@davidomahoney523
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you Akash, follow my journey on Instagram @daringgratefully
@veganchaatparty
3 жыл бұрын
@@davidomahoney523 thanks a lot for sharing...will follow you...thanks...have a super awesome time ahead....:)
Amazing!!!
Thank you David for sharing your powerful and passionate story. It’s a compelling watch and I’m incredibly grateful for all the hard work that has gone into it. 👌🏽💡✨
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your support and for the opportunity it’s to share my story on a world stage. I will always be grateful to you for this chance Dare Gratefully
Good 🎉
this is awesome, well done David, you are a complete inspiration. well done you x
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your kind words, today I am grateful for you Dare Gratefully
So good David 👍🏼
@davidomahoney523
4 жыл бұрын
Thank you drew, truly grateful for you my friend Dare Gratefully
NHS safe ligerdafetyfromsnuserdiiessblessing
What is the journal??
@kimsid3523
2 жыл бұрын
@daringgratefully
Ihavevardacattestlastyear
Ni hb