5 motivating TED Talks that will make you want to kick ass

7 March 2019
By Fashion Quarterly

Feeling like a bit of a negative Nancy lately? Have you hit what kinda feels like an onset to an early mid-life crisis?

Sounds like you need a dose of inspiration, stat. Luckily, we have just what the ‘TED Talk’ doctors ordered. These five TED Talks will leave you with some food for thought, and maybe a laugh or two.


How to stop screwing yourself over – Mel Robbins

Why should you watch this?
Mel Robbins will not take no for an answer, so neither should you. With her captivating delivery and humour, she shows you how you can get everything you want in life.

Best quote from the talk:
“Tomorrow morning set your alarm for 30 minutes earlier, and then when it goes off, take those sheets, throw them off and stand up and start your day. No snooze, no delay, do it.”

What do we take from this?
You are 1 in 400 trillion – those are the odds of you being born. You have life-changing ideas for a reason, so force yourself to get uncomfortable and use them.

Loading the player...

Watch in full here.


How to make stress your friend – Kelly McGonigal

Why should you watch this?
Are you always stressed out about how stressed out you are? Do you never seem to catch a break? Sounds like you need to make stress your friend. Kelly explains how we can combat stress by using human connection- interesting huh?

Best quote from the talk:
“I find this amazing, your stress response has a built-in mechanism for stress resilience, and that mechanism is human connection.”

What do we take from this?
People who spend more time caring for others and using their stress as a motivator are less likely to die from stress. Don’t believe us? Watch and learn.

Loading the player...
Watch in full here.

I got 99 problems… palsy is just one – Maysoon Zayid

Why should you watch this?
Comedian and cerebral palsy advocate, Maysoon Zayid will you have you laughing from start to end. She’ll make you realise that you can make the most of your life, no matter what situation you are in.

Best quote from the talk:
“My father taught me how to walk when I was 5 years old, by placing my heels on his feet and just walking. Another tactic that he would use, he would dangle a dollar bill in front of me and have me chase it…my inner stripper was very strong.”

What do we take from this?
Don’t let anybody tell you, you can’t. Because quite frankly, you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Loading the player...
Watch in full here.

100 days without fear – Michelle Poler

Why should you watch this?
Does the thought of public speaking make you break out in a sweat? Spiders make your skin crawl? Do heights scare the sh*t out of you? Michelle will take you on an eye-opening journey through facing 100 fears while finding out she only had 7 fears after all.

Best quote from the talk:
“When we change our relationship with fear, we will ultimately change our approach to life itself.”

What do we take from this?
Your perspective on fear will be forever changed after this. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Loading the player...
Watch in full here.

The magic of not giving a f*ck – Sarah Knight

Why should you watch this?
Ever feel like you have no time for yourself and are always bogged down with obligation? Stop wasting your time, energy and money on things, you shouldn’t give a f*ck about.  

Best quote from the talk:
“Learning how to say no, set boundaries, and give fewer, better f*cks, that lasts forever.”

What do we take from this?
Sarah Knight is unapologetic. She wants you to prioritize your time on things that actually matter to you. It’s the art of saying no, without sounding like a complete b*tch.

Loading the player...
Watch in full here.
Words: Gabrielle Tutheridge
Photography: Getty Images

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover
Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover

Sign up & Join
FQ Insider

Unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and special offers by becoming an FQ Insider.

Don’t miss a thing. Sign up to FQ’s weekly newsletter.

*Ts&Cs apply.
Find out more at fq.co.nz/fq-newsletter