My First TEDx Experience
My First TEDx Experience
My First TEDx Experience
I gave my first TEDx (x= independently organized) talk on Saturday, October 24th at St. Edward’s University in Austin. What an incredible experience.
I have wanted to give a TED talk for a long time. It has been a business goal and bucket list item for many years. Having applied once before and been rejected, I was afraid to apply again. One of my best friends found this opportunity and recommended me. This time I was accepted, and I was simultaneously ecstatic and terrified. This was the shot I’d been waiting for. The challenge was that I’d only been given a little over a week to prepare. Ouch!

Anne Grady My First TEDx Experience
Practice Makes Panic!
I’ve been doing this long enough to know that a good speech takes work, and a great speech takes a LOT of work. If this was going to be successful it simply had to be great. It meant writing, declaring it crappy, tossing it, re-writing, practicing every chance I got, meeting with my coach, sleeping, eating, and breathing TEDx, all while traveling and doing speaking engagements. It was hard to keep everything straight and panic began to set in.
There came a moment when I literally had a conversation with myself. “Ok, quit freaking out. You have to choose what this experience will look like. You want to look back and remember a positive experience that ends with you being energized and proud of the accomplishment.“
So, more practicing. And practicing. And practicing. Until finally, there was nothing more I could do but NOT practice.
IT’S SHOW TIME!
I went to the staging area to get mic’d up, stared at that famous, small piece of red carpet in front of me, took a huge deep breath, and walked out. I’ve been speaking professionally for 20 years, and I cannot remember the last time I felt this nervous.
I said the last line of the speech, and the audience applauded, and then they stood up! People began to cry, laugh, and come up and hug me. It was one of those moments I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
My presentation was titled “Find Your Courage”. Rather ironic since I’d been so afraid. It’s funny that it took writing a speech on courage to find mine. Here’s the thing about courage, in order to find it, you have to go through being insecure and uncomfortable to get it. Courage means being afraid and doing it anyway.
We have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. It’s the only way we truly grow.
Don’t let fear hold you back. What have you always wanted to do, but have been afraid to try? What is one thing you can do this week to get out of your comfort zone?
Anne’s First TEDx Talk

Anne’s Second TEDx Talk

Subscribe to Anne's Resilience Reset Email!
Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.
We can take back control of our energy, but FIRST, we have to be aware that we are running on fumes. Here are five subtle signs to look for before you burn out:
1️⃣ You Feel Snappy, Judgy, or Overly Critical (Even Over Dumb Stuff)
2️⃣ You’re Drowning in Decision Fatigue
3️⃣ You Feel Guilty for Resting (So You Never Fully Do)
4️⃣ You’re Scrolling to Numb, Not Connect
5️⃣ You Keep Thinking: ‘Once I get through this week…’
If even one of these sounded familiar, that’s your sign. You don’t need to wait for burnout to make a change. This is your permission slip to pause, reset, and breathe. 🎥
Have you ever had to schmooze at a networking event? You find yourself in some awkward situation, fumbling around for the right words when you land on “How are you?” or “What do you do?” Two of the most boring, uninspiring, uninteresting questions in the world.
Fortunately, there is a conversation starter that works better, is way more interesting, and makes you more memorable. This question is so powerful that it activates the pleasure center of the brain.
Here’s the question: “Working on anything exciting lately?”
That simple conversation starter makes people light up and feel good. And the best part? When they leave the conversation, they connect you with that good feeling.
If you want more tips, tools, and strategies like this one, sign up for my weekly Resilience Reset newsletter! ⬇️ https://www.annegradygroup.com/strong/
A couple of fun facts about gratitude:
🙏 Just looking for something to be grateful for drops cortisol by 23%.
🙏 A gratitude practice trains your brain to search for and find more good stuff.
🙏 Gratitude improves mood, memory, focus, immune function, and heart health.
What will you look for this week? #mindfulmonday

Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 3 books. Her newest, Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, is available on Amazon now.
MAIN OFFICE
(512) 821-1111
BILLING & MAILING ADDRESS
P.O. BOX 5815 | ROUND ROCK, TEXAS | 78683
Fantastic Anne! I am so happy for you. Sounds amazing!
Thank you, Julia!!!
I am happy for you.
“We have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. It’s the only way we truly grow.” So true.
Thanks JK!
Congratulations on another amazing accomplishment. Can’t wait to see it.
Thank you, Laura!
Rock stars always know what to do when they hit the stage and you my friend ARE A ROCK STAR.
I can’t wait to see the video. Your courage, your story and your commitment to being the best trainer, speaker and overall professional I know inspires me in my own work.
Keep Rippling On my friend!
Ah, thanks Steve. You are an inspiration as well!
What an inspiring way to start this work week! Feeling very courageous now:)
Have a great week, Kim!
Way to go, Anne! Someone told me years ago that we “teach” the best of what we need to learn the most. I was reminded of that when I read your post this morning!
So true, Kay. Those who can’t do teach. Those that can’t teach consult 😉
Please be sure to tweet a link to the video when it’s available. Jennifer and I are both eager to see it.
-c
Will do, Charlie!
I can see that group giving you a standing ovation that’s the inspiration you give when you speak!!
Congratulations on another well done talk.
Thanks, Lesa! It certainly feels good 🙂
Wish I could have been there. Would love to see the video when it is available. Of course, no surprise to me that you got a standing ovation. You rock!
Thanks, Leslie! I’ll send the link when I get it. I appreciate your support!!!
Anne,
I am so happy for you and proud of you!! I have always wanted to do a TEDx too and hope to have the same honor! I know how hard it is to pull off a condensed version of what you want to say. I would love to see it when it is ready to be viewed on video. Keep Rocking!! You are a gift to so many!
Sincerely,
Aric
You’re not so bad yourself Aric!Looking forward to catching up!
Anne, I’m so proud of you and especially honored to have gotten a glimpse behind the scenes, “pre-Ted,” ha.
Everyone is going to love your talk and the message only you can convey with courage from the heart. Bravo!!!!!
You are an inspiration. I’m (and a lot of others) looking forward to the video. Thank you for sharing your personal experience.
Ah, thank you, Robbin! I’m anxiously awaiting seeing it myself! Happy Thanksgiving!