Hacking Possibility | Shelli Rae Varela | TEDxSantaBarbara

Shelli Varela is a trailblazer and pioneer in the hyper-competitive world of firefighting.
She delivers a compelling and entertaining argument for not only rethinking what we believe is possible, but hacking how to get there.
For over two decades, Shelli Varela has been blazing trails both literally and figuratively. Hired in 1994 as the first female firefighter in Canada’s 6th largest city, she went on to earn the coveted “Firefighter of the Year Award” twice and is a former traveling member of “Firefighters Without Borders” where she and her team were deployed to Honduras.
Shelli authored a children’s book called “Peanut Meets the Pigtailed Firefighter” and is the creator of the Mindset Mastery program, in which she dedicates herself to showing others how they, too, can hack possibility, reach their full potential, and live a life of purpose and impact.
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

[@bujacik9N]

After 4 years of studying, training, and physically preparing...I have been hired and begin academy this year. This TED talk is EVERYTHING. I'll be watching every week until I graduate because it inspires me to be the best I can be, and to never give up. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@Suzifully]

You go girl! I hope all is well, and you're having the time of your life in the Academy!

[@waltking9141]

No one gives a s*** Whoopi do a civilian firefighter a local public employee we're a real uniform and serve your country in the United States military then you got something to be proud of there's a reason why civilian First Responders and police don't have any federal holidays because the federal government and the American people know who the real heroes are the military and veterans!!!;;

[@Danigirl77777]

Walt King this isn’t a competition over what group is best, and who should and should not be honored. Both vets and first responders do their part to serve their country, and both groups are very needed and necessary. Both should be honored. Thank you for your service, and have a blessed evening.

[@waltking9141]

@@Danigirl77777 I never said there was a competition between them there's no way no how because you can't compare the military two civilian First Responders and police their local public employees and as far as both of them being deserving of recognition the military and veterans are recognized but I'm just pointing out a fact how many federal holidays do local First Responders and police get none!!!!!

[@gisellezambrano4769]

Best of luck to you, K Marie.

[@user-oz7mm5ig4h]

One of the best Tedx Talks that I have watched. I am also a 5'2 firefighter. I never thought that I could make it into the fire service because of my small body, but the courage inside me drives me to make it. I am rendering my snappiest salute to you, Ma'am. You are such an inspiration.

[@ameiliapond5513]

She explained my life (cosmetology and art) to a T. Becoming a Firefighter was the best thing I've ever done.

[@DowntownDeuce2]

As a retired firefighter, she earned my respect by rising to the standard, not expecting them to lower it to her level. That is an accomplishment; not having standards reduced just so you can say you are a female firefighter.

[@andynonymous6769]

The thing is, I think standards have to have a reason behind them more than "that's just what our standard is." Like, I heard a story about a female firefighter who'd been wilderness fire fighting for 5+ years, not getting into a different service because her distance run was about a minute longer than their standard. The thing is, she already proved time and time again that she's a capable competent firefighter so what is the point of that standard? It's not measuring how competent she is I think standards shouldn't be lowered unless they're pointlessly high

[@DowntownDeuce2]

@@andynonymous6769 I agree. The example that you cited does not have enough specific information for me to form an educated opinion or comment on it. To compare different wildland jurisdictions, and their respective standards, is a fool's errand. A change of agency indicates a change of topography, equipment, manpower, and duties. So to say that because she succeeded in one place means that these standards and job description should be the same is far from accurate. My experience is primarily with metropolitan fire departments, so I can only speak to them. The standards are far from arbitrary in most metro departments; my point is that we agree: standards should never be arbitrary.

[@erinsheridan4593]

As a 5' 2" aspriring firefighter, this is so encouraging!

[@adamg.5525]

She reminds me of why joined my local department. A yr ago I was working with this guy and time from time he'd come in late. So we worked graveyard shifts so I didnt mind if someone was a little late, as long as we did the job we had to do and finished the quota for the night I wasn't hard on them for coming in alittle late. It was when one of my coworkers mentioned why this guy was late from time to time, when I asked they told me, "he's a firefighter". So when I asked him about it and showed a general curiosity he started telling all these stories about running into fires and saving people, showing tips on how they do things like forceful entry and a vast variety of things. I thought it was so amazing almost I joined my local volunteer department. I love it so much in the near future I want to try and go to one of the paid departments. It has been the best thing I've ever done so far and I've met some of the most amazing people so far. This was just my two cents I wanted to share. Y'all have a great day/night

[@Moodeedoo234lovelife]

I needed this. I'm a young mom of 2 in school for my BS in Fire and Emergency management and sometimes it feels daunting. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

[@1ARGS2020]

I'm literally crying. This is amazing and beyond motivating. I'm trying to be a paramedic / firefighter... this has motivated me so much. THANK YOU .

[@halflife2294]

Lol what your really saying is don't forget about me.

[@DOC-Jake-]

Doughnuts And Muscle Don’t try just do ! There’s people out there who can help you see this as reality! It comes with a price though ... time ,effort , family & of course the things you see hear & smell. But 3 decades later there’s many of us still here to guide ! 👍

[@mlrogers671]

Did you finally make it?

[@patrick9440]

if you gave 12 female firefigers a saw and axes and told them to open the roof it would take hours. It is fun and games until a good fire comes in, then the ladies need to get out of the way while the men work.

[@chrisj9008]

You would be hired on my department in a second with that speech!!!! Outstanding. "You can't measure heart"... getting knocked down and fighting your way back up... that's a Fire Service Warrior. Keep Safe Brother/Sister (And Fellow Canuck!!!)

[@waltking9141]

Oh big deal a female civilian firefighter Whoopi f****** do you want to see some real heroes Veterans Day is coming up since it's a national holiday I'm sure there's a parade or event near you why don't you go to it and see some of my brothers some real heroes he wore real uniform my fellow veterans and serve their country!!!!!

[@yogi9982]

@@waltking9141 no ones discrediting them? I'm happy you take so much love and pride for what you do and all the men and women who stand beside you. Thank you for all that you do 💜 and to all that do the jobs majority of us cant or simply just don't have the tits too.

[@Suzifully]

What an inspiration ❤️ I love Ted talks, but this one in particular talk is phenomenal. Being a female training to becoming a firefighter, and being the only female in my class, it's inspiring to hear of others chasing the same dream. Undoubtedly, I know my brothers in my academy are supportive, but it's a different feeling to have fire service sisters as well.

[@petecotter6790]

Did you get in?

[@allisaunders]

This woman is insanely inspiring! Love her honesty and dedication!

[@mythdrcheska]

Excellent! Moving! Authentic! Thank you, Shelli!

[@spaghetti9845]

been a firefighter 14 years. Nothing else in the world I would rather do.

[@lindastrader3799]

I was one of the first women on a U.S. Forest Service fire crew in the mid-1970s. It amazes me how not much has changed for women working in a "man's" job. I heard things like 'women belong barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen' and how I couldn't handle the job, how I would make more work for the men on my crew, how they worried I would get hurt...I was denied jobs for which I was fully qualified. But that didn't stop me from continuing to work in job I loved. My memoir about my 7 years as a firefighter will be traditionally published on May 1st, 2018.

[@pearls-for-cats2709]

I would love to read your memoir once it comes out, have you read "fire woman" by Josephine Reynolds?

[@lindastrader3799]

Thank you, Eliza! Summers of Fire will be released May 1, 2018. No, I've not read Fire Woman. I'll have to check it out!

[@pattyrrell4624]

@@crazycat1232 What a ridiculous thing to say.

[@scottthorstenson8895]

I'd like to use some of your inspiring words especially for our recruiting campaign. Thank you for sharing an incredible story. Be Safe out there Capt.

[@daniellepettyjohn7069]

This was amazing ❤️ thank you!

[@D.Ronoa69]

This world doesn't need a Hero... it needs a Professional. She is a great example of Professional.

[@paetynparman8896]

That picture of her pulling her mom is classic!

[@Steph_andthebulldogs]

You are an inspiration!!!! Way to go!!! Thank you for what you bring for women and the fire service.

[@mmmarvel]

Great talk, thanks for giving the world the opportunity to view it. Bottom line, this is what life is all about. Even doing a job that you're not thrilled about, to put food on the table and keep a roof over the heads of your family is a heroic deed. Even IF that job isn't the one of your dreams then do it as Dr MLK said, "If you're a street sweeper, be the best damn street sweeper you can be". That idea, that commitment to a job, to a family, to an idea will make you a better person.

[@VictorFoote01]

Tribe brought me here! This was so powerful! Thank you for sharing :)

[@javadastewart]

Thank you for this video I’m preparing for my cpat test you just gave me so much motivation ♥️

[@MCplicki]

She is amazing!!

[@ddaynamcfly4928]

Thank you - this is so freaking vital !

[@timcummings3098]

Simply outstanding.

[@LK-bz9sk]

Stopped in for a moment……was transfixed by every world. Bravo,

[@ArtsNKnowledge]

Love It! Posted to my Facebook Page!

[@lu8201]

So Proud and respect for all the women and men fire department!!

[@kleclair9812]

Thank you, you're my inspiration.

[@MasterArtMason]

Love it!

[@Beachbond1]

You are a force to be reckoned with my friend..So very proud of you!!!

[@london3]

Yes! The message is more important than the fear! So thankful she did this, MOTIVATING!

[@SamKoMD]

Go Shelli!!!!!

[@vvogt4252]

Awesome Life Story.

[@mebcool]

This is one awesome woman. 5'2" of 110% packed full of motivation, this woman is an awesome example of what you can do if you really want to. Good looking gal to... :-)

[@renatashp]

great woman! great inspiration! great.hero ❤❤❤

[@l.a.firefighterparamedic8031]

Bro 😎 She Is My FIRE🔥CAPTAIN 🚒 🚑 💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

[@FernandoSV]

bro----

[@omargutierrez9521]

rio hondoooooooo

[@Iamladychandler]

Awesome

[@TimothyAllison1]

Respect.

[@Gargi22111]

Stay away frn ppl saying u r never gonna make it .... They say it coZ they know u can do it ans they cannot only jealous u know et i mean !! Do it girl

[@thehaunted1273]

TYFYS

[@ChristineDwyer]

Girl! You nailed it! =) Super proud of you!

[@sunilnand62]

Very very good on yaaa girl , You made me sooo proud . Bless you a hundred years ...... Peace .

[@GlennSteffy]

..............YESSS ..........!!!!!!! .................

[@bethneygolden2648]

Why is this my story 😭 my first time at CPAT was roughhhh

[@angy101rulz]

This is amazing. I'm going to college right now, but once I graduate I'll be enrolling in the fire academy.

[@salmanalshamrani3164]

AMEN

[@scottlarson1652]

I didn't now there were TED talks in Santa Barbara

[@clearskyamerica3107]

What a great message!

[@kaylacline3406]

I think this just changed my life

[@douglasbell3344]

:) I am a firefighter also, in 2 brigades. One has an average age of 60 the other probably about 50. That is a fairly typical of the NSW RFS.

[@jerrybruckhart9134]

I was a volunteer for 25 years and generally speaking am not a proponent of women in the fire service, in large part because all to often the standards are lowered to the lowest denominator. Apparently you earned it fair and square, good for you, and welcome to the brotherhood.

[@pattyrrell4624]

And Brotherhood has HER in its spelling!

[@Roady1013]

Most collages just offer programs with training, pt, and hands on practice fire.

[@TheEmbryoExpert]

👏👏👏

[@statlerslegat3603]

Cudos Lady.

[@stevencalhoun7525]

wow you did our job

[@richardjones4080]

what an absolutely amazing young woman good on you

[@jamesraynor7645]

cool story bro...want a medal...

[@SpicyCharm]

When they said you couldn't do it , God said you can!!!! Strong massage

[@richardjones4080]

amazing young lady fantastic job well done you

[@jaggy319]

***ASphalt***. (aSS Fault)

[@DOC-Jake-]

I was thinking. This is my wife only @ 48 w2 kids. I was in MFA full time had been doing this for 20+ years .. the brotherhood was not going to let her .. I said don’t let them make u quit! So me & a couple of good ffs made it work ! She passed but never was let on the truck! So I also worked with women on the job , they were as good as any man ! My wife has the proof she is as good as me. Her sons a marine aviator who saw this she is now known as. Savage ! Go get em !🚒🇺🇸

[@zacharypotvin6579]

You have my undivided attention

[@eoinpkav152]

All that and still can't put her bunkers on properly

[@misterraider307]

I seen big chi_Chi on the thumbnail, that's why I here!

[@alfonsoperez4474]

Only 136 pounds up the stairs? That how much the males do too? If it is thats a little.

[@jerrybruckhart9134]

Actually 136 isn't a little, try it sometime in full turn out gear.

[@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904]

When she says about the specs for the physical, I actually was surprised she hadn’t worked out the test b4 applying. BUT when she failed, I’m glad she went back. I nearly cried watching this...wth??

[@pattyrrell4624]

@@mrlawilliamsukwarmachine4904 As she stated in the video, she was a 10K a day runner, pretty fit so thought that she was ok for the test. But after having done the test, she learned that she needed to do more, so she did. Taking that test ain't cheap either, and it comes out of your own pocket!

[@DowntownDeuce2]

Publish a picture of you doing it, tough guy. We would love to see it. Maybe you got confused in the conversion from pounds to kilograms, 3rd world peasant. Let me help you to follow this thread: Tù no estas bombero. Basta, pendejo!

[@DowntownDeuce2]

Eres pendejo, no bombero, comprendes?

[@nikitaw1982]

If elite women are beaten regularly by some dude in a dress, public should really be concerned about female fire-fighters. Ff a highly physical job where seconds difference between life and death.

[@toolio5268]

Fortunately they’re held to the same standards tho. If they aren’t then they’re most likely to either work their butts off and excel and male standards to earn the respect of their colleagues, or join an auxiliary role/quit.

[@hime273]

@@toolio5268 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@pattyrrell4624]

Yeah, I bet you couldn't do the job!

[@nikitaw1982]

@@pattyrrell4624 whats ur point?

[@nikitaw1982]

@@toolio5268 they aren't and you know it. plus every gym anywhere has a dozen guys better. don't just want someone who meets the standards but smashes them

[@prabhdeepdhahan1147]

Firefighting is a man's job

[@bmeyer2011]

congratulations you met minimum standards

[@patrick9440]

if you gave 12 female firefigers a saw and axes and told them to open the roof it would take hours. It is fun and games until a good fire comes in, then the ladies need to get out of the way while the men work.

[@andynonymous6769]

I wonder if you're actually a firefighter

[@waltking9141]

Big freakin deal she's a female civilian firefighter am I supposed to be impressed I serve 6 years in army including the tour of Duty and Iraq in 2006 in a little city called Fallujah and guess what they were female soldiers they went out on patrol they fought firefights in 120 degrees Heat they were a real uniform and served our country not just their community so I'm not too impressed by any female civilian police officer or firefighter!!!!

[@bryeanarose5753]

Walt King you missed the entire point

[@waltking9141]

@@bryeanarose5753 oh I did well what's the point that I miss then!!!!!

[@bryeanarose5753]

Walt King if you haven't figured it out from the replies on your other demeaning comment, you're pretty dense

[@angy101rulz]

While you were out there taking lives, she was out there saving lives.

[@pattyrrell4624]

@@waltking9141 The point is that we serve our communities in different ways. Firefighting is different than military service but is equally as important. And now that you are back home safely and back in civilian life, who you will you call if your house catches fire, or a family member suffers a heart attack. Oh yeah, CIVILIAN firefighters....funny how it works out that way.

[@BACONndEGGS]

it can't that's why they lowered standards for woman

[@pattyrrell4624]

Yeah, you'd be wrong on that front....

[@user-oz7mm5ig4h]

One of the best Tedx Talks that I have watched. I am also a 5'2 firefighter. I never thought that I could make it into the fire service because of my small body, but the courage inside me drives me to make it. I am rendering my snappiest salute to you, Ma'am. You are such an inspiration.