Why I do something everyday that scares me | Emma Van Der Merwe | TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh

It all started with a simple question - "why not do something today that scares me?" A medical diagnosis at the age of 17 had life altering implications, but instead of allowing it to define her life and prescribe her future, she’s made a career out of flying in the face of misconceptions and stereotypes. Emma Van Der Merwe shares her story of stepping out of her comfort zone and challenging expectations.
This talk was delivered at Edinburgh's iconic Central Hall on Thursday, February 18th 2016 and was a part of series of talks given at the TEDxUniversityofEdinburgh 2016 Conference.
Emma van der Merwe is a journalist, storyteller, world traveller and amateur adventurer.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 59

  • @STUPIDYOUTUBE_HIDINGMSGS
    @STUPIDYOUTUBE_HIDINGMSGS4 жыл бұрын

    "Pursue challenges, not comfort...", Thank you for this.

  • @manekina7305
    @manekina73053 жыл бұрын

    Because of fear I have lost a lot in life but from now on I will live every moment with no fear

  • @autumn-vl4vw
    @autumn-vl4vw5 жыл бұрын

    I’ve had similar feelings like being afraid of speaking and being afraid of embarrassing myself but I’ve realized we shouldn’t. We should just go out into the world and not be afraid of what people think because that only just hurts our spirits more.

  • @bboyneon92
    @bboyneon923 жыл бұрын

    Love it! The voice, the anxiety, the meaning in her talk, the push. All of it!

  • @ZachAtkeson
    @ZachAtkeson7 жыл бұрын

    this helped me start my channel! i do something every week that stretches me in some way!! what an awesome talk! thank you

  • @longta8852

    @longta8852

    2 жыл бұрын

    this inspire me a lot too, i realize i have wasted a lot of time in my life :)

  • @suiylawcoconsultanciescame701
    @suiylawcoconsultanciescame7012 жыл бұрын

    "A ship is safe in harbor but that's not what ships are for" William Shade. Awesome. Great talk. I have watched twice and safed to watch later. If you ever find yourself in Cameroon, we could have a cup of tea together.

  • @michaelahardy4420
    @michaelahardy44205 жыл бұрын

    Amazing to see how you applied the words of Eleanor Roosevelt to your own life. She once said "do one thing a day that scares you. those small things that make us uncomfortable help us build courage to do the work we do." Such an amazing philosophy to apply to our everyday life

  • @TomSutherland210
    @TomSutherland2107 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for these words. It's great hearing another South African voice on this topic. our culture seems to be too caught up on the issues of compliance and duty. While your words have value for all people, they're desperately needed at home.

  • @monique6384
    @monique63842 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for helping me gain the courage to walk into the fire department for a meet and greet to hopefully become a volunteer firefighter! :) I was terrified getting there but after walking in the doors that fear went away:)

  • @TheRoadrunz
    @TheRoadrunz7 жыл бұрын

    A ship is safe in harbor but that's not what ships are for... so why don't you push your ship far discover what lies beyond ....pursue experiences not things ...pursue friendships not likes... pursue challenges not comforts...

  • @lous.1548
    @lous.15482 жыл бұрын

    IT is so true . I got rid of things to pursue expériences

  • @ivack7380
    @ivack73807 жыл бұрын

    This was magnificent! So brave, so compassionate. I'm so glad you let us hear your voice, Emma; it's such a beautiful, resonant one! Loved this talk.

  • @SabelaSisters
    @SabelaSisters8 жыл бұрын

    Incredible and the reason im not on facebook anymore... and im grateful for experiences! Thank you emma!!! You have inspired us!!

  • @Panacea9
    @Panacea92 жыл бұрын

    If I do that, I need other people I know and trust that are doing the same thing I am and it is something I believe in. I like to find the fun of it too, it makes me better and love to think about doing it further. What I did before was horrific enough to most people.

  • @lindacooks-9552
    @lindacooks-95523 жыл бұрын

    You inspired me! I want to watch this again and again, thank you!

  • @gangstersayfock
    @gangstersayfock7 жыл бұрын

    Great ted talk! Thanks for sharing your story! I really like that you one thing everyday that scares you. I do it to! I do it already everyday for 1,5 year. I toke a lot of opportunities and discover a whole new world. Like the cold, food i didn't like before, be a comedian, make joke about schizophrenia online etc.

  • @yozelynflores6379
    @yozelynflores63798 жыл бұрын

    And what a lovely voice it is thank you! truly inspirational

  • @Luumelan
    @Luumelan7 жыл бұрын

    thank you, i really love your talk, especially the part about the depresion.

  • @nigelbmichaels
    @nigelbmichaels7 жыл бұрын

    wonderful, inspiring. Thank you

  • @andydragonfisher6900
    @andydragonfisher69003 жыл бұрын

    Amazing woman 🙏

  • @kenneyokennedy
    @kenneyokennedy8 жыл бұрын

    Wow! A message everyone needs to hear (including me)!

  • @swopeboi
    @swopeboi5 жыл бұрын

    incredible. brought me to tears. You're so strong!

  • @dhaminir5688
    @dhaminir56888 жыл бұрын

    Relatable and really motivating.

  • @SOFI_READS
    @SOFI_READS Жыл бұрын

    Gorgeous talk! Thank you so much!

  • @a9nh
    @a9nh7 жыл бұрын

    Great talk. Thank you Emma.

  • @wimpiburger8078
    @wimpiburger80787 жыл бұрын

    Dankie Emma - baie inspirerend & positief uitdagend.

  • @mobk9774
    @mobk97746 жыл бұрын

    A refreshing and much needed start to the New Year! Elegant, simple and beautiful talk. Thank you Emma, you have really helped revitalise some feelings within me and soothed some old pains. You are an inspiration.

  • @SandeepKumar-bt7is
    @SandeepKumar-bt7is5 жыл бұрын

    great message wonderfully explained

  • @magdapieters9304
    @magdapieters93048 жыл бұрын

    Emma, mag jou skip nog verre waters uittoets, baie dankie - so inspirerend!

  • @ellen4078
    @ellen40787 жыл бұрын

    thank you for sharing your story.

  • @Ricardoarieira82
    @Ricardoarieira827 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @dorismuronga923
    @dorismuronga9237 жыл бұрын

    strong and inspiring speech

  • @preciouszak4373
    @preciouszak43737 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Emma, 😊

  • @sheilamore3261
    @sheilamore32614 жыл бұрын

    Wow that was an awesome talk it does make you think very helpful thank you for sharing😊💕

  • @KHN1991
    @KHN19918 жыл бұрын

    A truly inspirational speech 👍

  • @pilus6029

    @pilus6029

    7 жыл бұрын

    Kasper Hesselholt mmm5565 m5m55566 qqqqqqqqqq qm q q q m q mm mqm m 666m mqm55555 q m mm mmm m m mm nm m m mqq 50n nn jby

  • @adelRX7
    @adelRX77 жыл бұрын

    Wow, I enjoyed this

  • @arlinegeorge6967
    @arlinegeorge69673 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful amazing soul telling stories n so true. Your mind can achieve what you believe.thank you bless you n all your dreams come true .

  • @billionairenow81
    @billionairenow815 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @kayla3972
    @kayla39724 жыл бұрын

    Great speech i needed this!

  • @amankapila8839
    @amankapila88393 жыл бұрын

    Thank you .....

  • @coolice743
    @coolice7435 жыл бұрын

    I cried

  • @rajkumarbhawariya9955
    @rajkumarbhawariya99556 жыл бұрын

    simply great

  • @sutats
    @sutats Жыл бұрын

    NFG. That's the way to live life.

  • @KateLate____
    @KateLate____2 жыл бұрын

    Emma, you mentioned everyone in the room except you is fine - that can't be true.

  • @sureshscribnar
    @sureshscribnar7 жыл бұрын

    Speed the talk by 1.5 times, and this talk is far more interesting and energising.

  • @mirellavidriezca1119
    @mirellavidriezca11193 жыл бұрын

    I suffer severe depression.

  • @flowwiththeuniverse31
    @flowwiththeuniverse313 жыл бұрын

    me too. looking in the mirror!!

  • @user-md5wn4kh9v
    @user-md5wn4kh9v4 жыл бұрын

    Watch later 3:02

  • @nikhil_mahajan685
    @nikhil_mahajan6856 жыл бұрын

    I would love to have coffee with you . 😁

  • @mohammedshihab3489
    @mohammedshihab34897 жыл бұрын

    How a beautiful you are,

  • @jamiececilielange5249
    @jamiececilielange5249 Жыл бұрын

    I would recommend people not to climb Mount Everest. Not because I don't understand why you'd want to, but because it is littered with dead bodies that do not decompose - and a lot of them died making money as guides. Not an industry worth supporting. The water nearby is also becoming more and more contaminated by microplastics and other things. If you want to climb a mountain, choose one that is less famous, and maybe less dangerous.

  • @poknari
    @poknari7 жыл бұрын

    tbh i can make a meme of yours out of 9:36

  • @TheSeliMD
    @TheSeliMD7 жыл бұрын

    There should be a talk about uneffectiveness of ted talks

  • @mohamedespace5031
    @mohamedespace50317 жыл бұрын

    You lose your head. What about that headacke, the hitch hiking and the inch, league ?

  • @StutteringCoach1
    @StutteringCoach13 жыл бұрын

    Going to deactivate.

  • @BitTorrentGemini
    @BitTorrentGemini5 жыл бұрын

    You found your answers in africa? IMO-your point is finding some more poor/miserable things, fight it in YOUR environment!

  • @Aaaaaaaaaaaa202

    @Aaaaaaaaaaaa202

    4 жыл бұрын

    She's FROM Africa

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