Blueprint for a Breakthrough: Shane Koyczan at TEDxYouth@SanDiego 2013

Shane Koyczan shares his extraordinary blueprint for a breakthrough and breaks open hearts, minds and attitudes with his unlimited gift of poetry, storytelling and human connection (accompanied by The Short Story Long Band). This transformative performance took place at TEDxYouth@SanDiego 2013 for an audience of 400 amazing high school students from 40 different high schools and they will never be the same.
About Shane: Poet, author and performer, Shane Koyczan, wowed the world at opening ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics where an audience of more than 1 billion people worldwide heard his piece "We Are More." He has published three books: Stickboy, Our Deathbeds Will Be Thirsty and Visiting Hours.
Shane breathes life into the new genre of talk rock with his band the Short Story Long. The band creates a musical backdrop that blends folk, classical and rock to emphasize Shane's powerful words. They have released two albums. The most recent album includes the viral hit "To This Day," which explores the anguish of anyone who grew up feeling different or just a little bit alone. To bring visual life to this image-rich poem, Shane invited artists from around the world to contribute 20-second segments of animation to the project. Posted on KZbin on February 19, 2013, by the close of the month the video had been viewed 6 million times.
Shane Koyczan and Short Story Long Band Members: Shane Koyczan (spoken word), Olivia Mennell (keys and vocals), Jordie Robinson (cello and vocals), Jesse Lee (bass and vocals), Maiya Robbie (guitar and vocals).
TEDxYouth@SanDiego is an independently organized TEDx event designed by youth, for youth to bring the power of big ideas to the youth of San Diego -- and the world. WWW.TEDxYOUTHSANDIEGO.COM
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@KristinPedemonti]

"If your heart is broken, make art with the pieces." What beautiful art you've created and how many hearts you have healed.

[@Piinkypanter]

and many he has inspired to start making their own form of art - i am one of those... my burnout didnt let me facepaint kids at birthday's party's atm but i did miss it so much.. i started to give my inner child some love and started painting my own legs.. now i got fans that like my bodypaint arts.. those bodypaint i often started making when other things didnt seem to help enough - even talking to friend didnt lower the pressure for some things but this helped alot

[@annalews8312]

"I was surviving school more than experiencing it." This was, and still is, so many of us out here. Thank you. This moved me so much.

[@annabellethepaladin3795]

My favorite part is near the end: "Look at an avalanche and see that we are at our most powerful when we let go. Look at a flower and see that we are at our most beautiful when we open up." He couldn't be more right.

[@akolton9421]

It's a play on another poem of his, called "The Student" where the last lines are "I sit near flowers hoping they will teach me in the art in opening up. I stand on mountaintops hoping that avalanches will teach me to let go. I know nothing; but I am here to learn"

[@Floowetic]

My fav part is the part where he’s talking

[@Xinuka]

I dont know how people wouldn't want to be this mans friend, he has a beautiful soul.

[@BeehiveBoy]

The worst thing about pain is not that it hurts, its because its normal. That part got to me for some reason

[@peytonfunk300]

This is the best explanation of depression I've ever found

[@megansoldatke532]

someone needs to make a book of all of his good quotes

[@megansoldatke532]

Thank you for telling me! I was not aware. *****​

[@stephaniemedina5350]

That would be be a big book that contains all of his speeches/ poems my friend @Megan Soldatke

[@alechowell4747]

Just make a notes of all of the links to his vids

[@ligeeakins4958]

Every word he's ever spoke?

[@sjcosey4957]

That would be one hell of a book, get a pack of ninjas that cut onions constantly

[@xXChinaGalXx]

You are to me as the library was to you. Thank you so much. For everything.

[@AugustoGuerrero__Main__]

I'm feeling the same right now.

[@Piinkypanter]

Indeed. Thank you Shane for being in my library ^^

[@nys3themeisneractingconser451]

I've seen this at least 40 times and every time I continue to get something more - something deeper from his words. It's a brilliant piece written so carefully and beautifully with for its intended audience, yet priceless for those of all ages and walks of life. I can not hear this enough times. We now require this video to be seen by all of our students before they enter the program. Thank you Shane - for keeping on, your gifts, your graciousness and being such an inspiration.

[@nickmevorach1123]

I honestly couldn't agree more. There's always something you can learn, even if you're revisiting this.

[@mbb1742]

"Maybe I was only good at depression..." Shane Koyzcan, your spoken word gave me hope at a point in my life when I was dying from waves of depression that threatened to drown me... but they never would. I was a 36 year old mother and wife, and a general manager of a hotel. 1 day, I was raped by a stranger at work. In the very pit of this hell, my good God led me to your work on KZbin. He used you my friend. I know you don't believe. But still He used you. I began to write again. Breathe again. Live again... because surviving wasn't enough! Thank you God, for Shane Koyczan. By the way... I got to see you live! Amazing human being you are!

[@Lizzyedwards2655]

Holy shit This video Changed My Fucking Life ❤ I love shane

[@SuperDarius01]

"If you believe you're doing everything you can, Do more" That quote is amazing.

[@TheRisenSoldier]

So happy I stumbled on this guy. Just keep listening to his stuff and have yet to find anything I don't like.

[@kyramarchuk3159]

This practically saved my life. It's on my phone and I was really down. To the point were I wanted to take my own life. I pressed shuffle on my phone. And this came on. Instantly I smiled. Instantly I felt better because he's right. My depression is horrible because I'm holding onto it. But I need to learn to back away. And shane has helped me through so much and he doesn't know it.

[@onewomanslife]

ser·en·dip·i·ty ˌserənˈdipədē/Submit noun the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. "a fortunate stroke of serendipity" synonyms: (happy) chance, (happy) accident, fluke Thank you for staying!

[@arnoldgwande2367]

Happy you ok

[@khosiemlotshwa8726]

I might be six years late, but, how are you? Are you okay?

[@CherylHammerton]

he changed me when i was 12 years old and im so grateful

[@MadMontyMN]

This one brought me to tears. I needed to hear this. It needed to be said, by someone I've never met.

[@zoekennedy8940]

Unreal.I didn't know I could laugh so much and cry so much in 22 minutes.

[@MrZeJohn]

I just placed in my school for Impromptu Speaking, and my secret for success was watching this right before going on stage. Thanks, Shane!

[@sydneybradley7887]

Me too for forensics!!!!!

[@svoulada]

Shane Koyczan for Prime Minister.

[@bubbameh]

- - Hello Canada :)

[@natashadyke7323]

I find myself coming back to this video again and again every time that I feel hopeless. and though it may not cure me or change my life in any way, it seems to be what I need in that moment. and every time, without fail, this makes me feel better

[@annabellethepaladin3795]

“Weather we see them or not, the sun and moon are still there, and always there is light!” That should be on a shirt or poster

[@sircharima9082]

"We live in a constantly changing world and in that world, systems break because they are rigid and unbending. If we spend our lives trying to adjust to something broken, we break ourselves in the process. All I did was learn to make art with pieces."

[@shelbytaplin4647]

I always find myself watching this video over and over again. His words and poems are so inspirational

[@uutarn]

"Be sterling in your oppose." Masterful.

[@TheFrazzle2468]

Why can I only favourite this video once? This is sheer brilliance and the man is a genius

[@paulvangemmeren9351]

When I can't sleep I listen to one of his talks... It works

[@tattooinglady]

ha ha ha I am listening to this for the first time and painting an octopus for a client.... I too live like a genie in a bottle creating magic with a brush, a pen, a tattoo needle, etc. I was told I could never make a living as an artist but serious dreaming does create great results! As soon as I let go of limitations my creativity and happiness has exploded! I am writing drawing painting creating something beautiful every day! Your work and voice continue to inspire me :) Thank you and much love!!!

[@kodaspaws]

Sir - you break me. You are a brilliant soul. Forever be well. Hopefully all this village will know your name, and never forget,... for fear they might loose themselves.

[@MarkFletcher]

This is an astonishing display of truth, wisdom and emotion. Shane is brilliant - and I'm struggling to find the words to know how to describe this. This really speaks to me!

[@tinill36]

He is the new Aristotle

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

I am the shit McGonagall! Seriously, William McGonagall is a vastly better poet than me! All My Poems Are Shit!!! I am NOT clever!!! I can't read!

[@souldiscovery306]

I made a new friend today: Shane Koyczan :) I wish I had discovered him earlier, but better late than never.

[@nemydolcine7393]

Talking about the right thing on the right time. i told my sister i want to be normal and i still keep repeating to myself i want to be normal, one day i will be normal. i listen to Shane these day unless if i am listening to music. this on poem is so right on, is the story of my life but just in different words. you know how you can be shock and all you can feel is your throat hurt a little but tears just can come all you can do is think of your life and keep telling yourself do not cry. that is me if you can understand you are lost in what i am wrote, that is my life too, i can not really explain myself what it is about. i am lost too. thank you Shane

[@willmontgomery79]

I applaud this man not only for his ability with words but for is memorization.

[@nickbarilaz6781]

shane is a how to put it genius with words, he puts words to feeling that seem unexpressable, the background emphasizes the emotion he uses it to that goal and does it with skill, and i hope his message in the poem gets out their to everyone, this is something beautiful and we need more people like shane to remind some that life is not all bad.

[@realtorforlouisiana]

in a constantly changing world, "systems break because they are rigid and unbending" ... YES!!! so much truth and power in this poem

[@clusterguard]

what a phenomenal internal engin Shane has. just love. best from Greenland.

[@AJROtheWriter]

Shane... they are cheering because you solved the emotional crisis... or at least gave us tools to carry on. You inspire me to do what I do -The Catatlyst

[@evemarie2879]

Shane koyczan is my best friend

[@selena-kd2gz]

His poems speak volumes.

[@whitefang2312]

This video should not have 55 dislikes. It should have 0. I found Shane a few months ago, his first poem that I saw being to this day, but I'm so glad I saw this poem. This one... this one relates to me the most. I hide my pain. I'm scared. But I'm trying to be stronger. And his words helped

[@munsonmusclefitness]

It’s 2020 and I still come back to this

[@BboyFoxyMan]

I wish this was longer ...

[@deirdremcmanus7067]

Peter Elisak don't worry. This guys got plenty

[@happiestonion]

I love him. He heals my heart.

[@LozkoDimitrov]

You should bring Shane to Bulgaria... our society needs this... we need to hear, we need to wake up...

[@Collector917]

"I appreciate the outstretched arms, but I've been in a breaking things kind of mood. I've been scarfing down enough food for thought that I've got bowels so backed up with brilliant ideas, eventually i'm going to shit books." I'm going to hold you to that.

[@skylerluke91]

I love this guy his depression loop is true I have suffered from depression for many years and now hearing this it is helping me to get even farther from the depression I used to be in

[@annikahigginbotham1108]

This man is my hero he inspires me

[@HollySnow1000]

I'm family related to this beautiful man and Proud of it, ShirleyAnn koyczan

[@wisewoodapothecary9280]

Your words offer so much healing. Thank you, Shane

[@teeandbiscuits1156]

21510 views? That can't be right... I think I've watched it more than that! 3 dislikes? HOW?! How can you hate this inspiring poem?

[@deirdremcmanus7067]

jessica onkruid don't worry it's 250,000 and 45 people missed the like button because of the tears in their eyes

[@shamilevergreen6200]

I really love the singing as a representation for joy when you're doing something you really genuinely love. I come back to this video when I'm stuck in a repetitive, dreadful work cycle and need a reminder to make time for myself, and to keep going. Thank you for your beautiful words Shane.

[@robertapearson3507]

I love you and your honesty. I could listen to you for hours. Your voice is like honey, your smile a shaft of glorious light, your tales a reflection of my experiences. The big difference for me is that I never learned what you did. I never realized that I was the one who had the power to make choices about myself and how I traveled through this world and my life. Thank you for being and sharing your being-ness with us. I discovered you when you came, many years ago, to Powell River and performed for our small town. Thank you for that evening. This video of your tedx presentation was wonderful. I found the music in the background to be very distracting and intrusive. I think that I have some kind of problem with background music. It distracts me and I loose a significant portion of what you are saying. When I listen to you, I want, very much, to hear all that you are saying/sharing. If the musical accompaniment were kept to a near inaudible level, that would work for me, ☺️. You, and your truths, are engrossing enough that you do not need to supplement with anything else. I feel that what you have to share is so important and I want to be able to absorb it all. Thank you, once again, for being who you are. 👵🏻🐾💕🇨🇦

[@crazyw265]

More Shane Koyczan, he is amazing and an inspiration to everyone around the world!

[@stevenverlander5978]

thank you my friend. your words are warming, moving ,inspiring, comforting. keep up the good work not that is work. keep up your happiness keep up sharing your ammunition

[@n3wunit]

I would nominate you for poet laureate, no lie. You blow me away with every piece!

[@richardelmes984]

As a poet, I appreciate the way Shane tells stories that touch you in a way that you not only enjoy the message, but the way he delivers it.

[@unforgotten8094]

he is considered a soldier, no he dont fight on the front lines with guns or granades, but he does fight for everyones freedom, depression is a chain that will mend its self making harder to break, the more u break it the more links there are. yet he aims for the one link that is stuck in everyones heart. he will eventually break it. he is the break through no one though would happen. i to was a victum to a heavy depression, i almost fell everyday to my knees just breaking away, but when i heard the anti bully one he did i smiled alil and looked into him, i liked his stories, because i can relate. and do to him till this day i smile and fight for others who i know would never back me.

[@carrielietz525]

Your words have gotten me through so much. Many of my worst days your words carried me. Thank you for being so amazing, Thank you for the help you gave without even knowing it. Thank you for being you

[@madisonrhodes6151]

Such truth bundled into the perfect words. Thank you for this gift

[@EB-sw4gb]

This video saved my life when I was 15

[@podhditalia]

seen a bunch of his poems and recitals and I thought "remember how we forgot" was his best. still hadn't stumbled onto this. brilliant

[@smartgee10]

I can totally identify, and like some else said, what he found in writing--I found in Music! Just Masterful!

[@mayaziv7020]

This was AMAZING. Shane, you mend all of our souls.

[@taylorm1583]

This is one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen

[@denise1932]

Such a beautifully brilliant mind of a guiding light. Thank you for this beacon of love.

[@MrRahulguitar]

Just listening to him inspires me to keep writing

[@moviemaker667]

This man is an inspiration. People "use" their talents, but he amplifies and expresses it to an unreal degree.

[@samisacat1]

It's sad to think this is almost a decade old and school is still like this for so many people.

[@austindemaille7023]

Truly Amazing. Exactly what we need to hear.

[@gamer374ify]

One of the most beautiful things I have ever heard

[@nickmevorach1123]

This will never not hit me in the feels, and I'm just fine with that.

[@dkraay]

You touch my heart, Thank you Shane.

[@user-eh8zv9vq5u]

ok so my favourite fruit is lemonade, just because of lemonade. i. love. lemonade. all of Shane's poetry is so beautiful, i keep crying, and it is so hard to cry for me, when im alone. i cry around people because of the pressure of trying not to cry so it implodes on itself all the time

[@ykalon]

"Stop waiting for your life to be normal, it already is" That really connected with me

[@koru9780]

Shane always makes me cry.

[@BobCindyL]

You, sir, are an amazing person. Those that accompanied you are amazing also. All of you together are so inspiring. Thankyou

[@MedicatedActivities]

Absolutely heart filling and uplifting! ❤️

[@seeDiersoilcrossrowds]

This guy is a poetic genius!!!

[@NyxLux7]

I needed this. Thank you.

[@matijakompan5215]

This is brilliant!!! I am touched and i shed a few tears. Thank you!

[@destinyb5924]

Shane is my hero

[@gears2burn]

I don't know how many times this has been food for my heart.!! Although... Always had my eyes fixed upon the Lord

[@M.C.13-q4i]

I’ve only recently been working on myself; listening to you, I’m sorry that I missed such an important lessons so just thank you for continuing Shane Koyzcan~ ❤️

[@jeremiahgreen8038]

Shane koyczan is God sent I swear he saved my life. because my heart is broken I made art out of the pieces and his poetry speaks to me

[@desireefigures1098]

He is my idol

[@vidsbymarie5406]

most moving thing ive ever heard and most relatable too how is he not famous like on tour and stuff!

[@lani8594]

This man has the most beautiful mind

[@grazynam1208]

Very inspiring. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️

[@XDrecqX]

Love this, very inspiring.

[@VirginiaLopez7711]

Looking forward to listening to you in Person. Poetland Oregon. ❤

[@MsKachha]

Amazing!!!

[@TheTyo1997]

I have listened to this video maybe 15-20 times over the past 5 years every time I listen to it it gives me hope again

[@TheTyo1997]

what can I say four years later. I'm not happy but I'm surely not dead yet

[@gingerhancock5446]

Thanks Shane!

[@1lisalopez]

Depression, ignoring the things you love to do ❤️

[@nerdstuff2897]

Thank you...

[@clusterguard]

just lovely. best from Greenland.

[@Andresfin]

This is exactly what I needed :') thank you

[@onewomanslife]

So much beauty.

[@grip2o]

I like what he said at 11:40 . Very inspiring.

[@DanielSvensson666]

This was so amazing.:')