ROB the Trauma: Steal Back Your Life | Bridey Heidel

ROB the Trauma: Steal Back Your Life | Bridey Heidel | TEDxSouthLakeTahoe

Рет қаралды 3,031

Күн бұрын

NOTE FROM TED: This talk contains a discussion of abuse. While some viewers may find this talk helpful, please consult a mental health professional and do not look to this talk as a substitute for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and experiences. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com...
Bridey Thelen-Heidel was thirty-three and had beaten the odds stacked against someone raised by addicts and abusers. She had a beautiful life and a successful teaching career; unfortunately, the trauma she tucked away waited to be triggered by a song or a familiar smell. With no way out, the trauma wreaked havoc on her body-shutting down her systems and nearly killing her. The past was controlling her present, and she wanted her life back. Bridey believes we have the power in us to overcome our trauma, to put a safety lock on the triggers, and to create a normal and functional life. While we must use all resources available as we heal-therapy, meditation, self-help guides-it’s important we remember that the very qualities we developed to survive can also help us to thrive. As Glinda the Good Witch tells the Scarecrow when Dorothy asks for help to find her way home, “She always had the power. She just had to learn it for herself.”
Bridey Thelen-Heidel is an award-winning English teacher, writer, and youth advocate. Her memoir, Bright Eyes, will be published by SheWrites Press in August 2024, and her work with LGBT+ youth has been celebrated in Read This, Save Lives and California Educator. She recently performed in Listen to Your Mother NYC and is a frequent podcast guest, speaking about the resilience, optimism, and bravery she developed surviving her abusive upbringing that she now uses to live the life of her dreams. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 72

@StephanieMonday-xr8dj 4 ай бұрын

Beautiful and brave! Thank you for being brave and vulnerable enough to speak up and help others feel safe to do the same. Your life is a testament of resilience and hope! 🙏♥️

@brideyheidel5158 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for this. Appreciate your kind words.

@jamiemilitello727 4 ай бұрын

Your vulnerability is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story and all you and taken from it.

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Not easy, but I'm seeing that it's worth it from the messages I'm getting from others who've been through similar circumstances.

@emmaosman-noyes6894 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the inspiration. Great reminder that we are not our traumas and they do not own us.

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

So true, right? Wonder how much we could accomplish if we recognized our own ROB way earlier in life? Would love to get that message out to high school students who need to hear it.

@aimeewarren9868 4 ай бұрын

Such a powerful message. Life changing. 🤍

@tonisandoval1711 4 ай бұрын

She is amazing what a motivator everytime I listen to her I feel more powerful

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate this so so much! So grateful this message can be a reminder of all your incredible strengths!

@kevinsatz1110 4 ай бұрын

Amazing! You really have a way of reaching out and connecting with people. Loved this!!❤

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so so much. Appreciate all the support so much. I hope this message continues to help people to remember their strengths.

@KendraTerry 4 ай бұрын

Very powerful talk by an amazing human. This is an incredible talk on not just surviving trauma, but thriving in spite of it. Very inspirational!

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate that so much. So kind.

@Aileen3677 4 ай бұрын

Besides being an amazing teacher, mentor and supporter of all your students and their families your words are an nspiration. I want to hug that little girl and applaud the women you are. Thank you for your bravery. ❤️ You are loved

@marlenemoyer8779 4 ай бұрын

Bridey is doing something so essentail here! She is giving us all hope that we can heal. As a 7th grade teacher, it is all I could wish for my students: that one day they can clearly see their lives for what they are and find a way forward that is healing and affirming of the best part of themselves. I love her courage for putting this out into the world! I am cheering her on and all those who are open to the power of this message! Go! Go!

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate this very much. I think a lot would've been different in my life had someone reminded me of my "ROB" as a teenager. Kind of you to feel all of this about my message.

@EnidCarroll 5 ай бұрын

Thank you. I'm a 78 year old retired teacher, and you helped me.

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching, and I'm grateful if my message helped in any way.

@clintmcclellan2454 4 ай бұрын

Since you’re such a Nice Wonderful Woman GOOD is coming your way! When I joined you at your daughter’s graduation it made me feel so Good that you’re my sister cause way over half the kids Thanked you in their speeches for being such a Wonderful teacher and helping them graduate! When you’re around nobody wants you leave cause you’re such a Nice Comfortable person to be around! ❤

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate this so much. Thank you for your unconditional support along this journey. Means the world.

@suzannejohnston4542 4 ай бұрын

Absolutely love your angle on how you have processed your trauma! How you have chosen to share your story and for your healing and helping others! Well done!! You’re absolutely amazing!!

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for these sweet words about my message. I'm so grateful it seems to be helping others. Makes the vulnerability worth it, for sure.

@KathleenRoseMorgan 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring others to take back their power. You are a light in the world.

@jaymiehawkins4138 4 ай бұрын

You're such an inspiration and an AMAZING teacher. Keep doing what you’re doing. We all support you and your goals! ❤

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

Appreciate that so very much! Means a lot to have my community's support!

@kaiafit 4 ай бұрын

Wow, Bridey Heidel's TEDx Talk, 'ROB the Trauma: Steal Back Your Life,' is incredibly powerful and inspiring. Her insights on overcoming trauma and reclaiming one's life are both profound and practical. The way she breaks down the process of healing into manageable steps is truly helpful. Thank you, Bridey, for sharing your journey and providing hope to so many who are struggling. This talk is a must-watch for anyone looking to transform their pain into empowerment. 🌟

@brideyheidel5158 4 ай бұрын

VERY much appreciate this! Thank you. I hope it helps people to heal on many levels.

@fastphil343 4 ай бұрын

Bridey’s talk is life changing for so many, giving hope and inspiration to overcome hard things.

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

So kind of you. Thank you :)

@dirgni20 8 ай бұрын

You are a creator, a storyteller. I love that you are rearranging words and meanings "...to create a powerhouse verb to direct my actions". Bridey, thanks for sharing your story and reminding people of the power they have.

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

Thank you. For everything. Always.

@two_oldbucks4617 8 ай бұрын

You are an inspiration and proof we can survive our scary tales. Well done!

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Very much appreciate that, my friendly old bucks :) Your support has been amazing!

@alastorcrowe2193 7 ай бұрын

Love you heidel!!! Your story is inspiring

@brideythelenheidel 7 ай бұрын

Al!!!!! You watched it :) Thank you so much. Hard stuff to share, but I'm learning that it's helping and healing others so very worth it. Appreciate your kind words.

@marypalin-u2j 8 ай бұрын

This talk bears hearing more than once - because it is so profound, encouraging, and inspirational. Google this amazing human!

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

Thank you

@GabrielNajera 8 ай бұрын

I am always in learning mode and I definitely learned a lot from listening to your TEDxSouthLakeTahoe presentation... but then meeting you personally gave it a whole different perspective of a true example of someone who's been there, done that and wears the t-shirt saying.... trauma is not going to ROB you of enjoying your life, and life must go on.

@brideythelenheidel 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, my friend. So happy to know you and to watch your journey as you inspire others to believe...if you can do it, so can they!

@thebomarmonk 8 ай бұрын

Bridey, thank you so much for this discussion of trauma, triggers, and how to “ROB” our lives back from that trauma. And I had to write down the following quote from your talk, because it deeply resonated with some of my own experiences: “The insults and snide comments… aren’t about us. They are about the people making them, the ones whose identity depends on us believing we are as broken as they are.”

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, my friend. Appreciate your kind words. Of course, I'm sorry the message resonated with you but am so grateful you found some strength in it. You are an inspiration to so many.

@JacquelineWales 8 ай бұрын

Powerful and deeply felt Bridey. Many of us have traumas that are never healed, and your story is inspiring to help people understand that they have the power to change with the right attitude. Congratulations.

@brideyh 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so so much, my friend. Really amazing the beautiful messages I've received this week from people watching it. Trying to just take it one day at a time

@cassandraneitling7345 8 ай бұрын

Because you are so open, honest, and vulnerable it gives the world permission to speak their truth. Shedding light on our past is what leads to healing, and most importantly, to ending the generational cycle of suffering in silence. Thank you.

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so so much! I hope others find it as healing as you have :)

@maketahoe 7 ай бұрын

A++ !

@brideyheidel5158 7 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching it :) --and for the good grade, of course!

@nourisheddgirl 8 ай бұрын

Such a meaningful, open, and honest conversation. It's encouraging to see that we're not alone in our trauma. The healing journey is not linear, but we can ROB the trauma and get our life back! We're stronger and more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Thank you :) I love all this and appreciate your thoughtfulness about my talk.

@HeartOfMeena 8 ай бұрын

Beautiful talk Bridey! This talk is a gift to the world. Thank you for your courage and inspiration 💞

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

Meena!!!!!! Thank you so much, my friend. Very very proud to see your talk touching the hearts of so many. Appreciate the support and our connection.

@AndreaEzerins 8 ай бұрын

So well done Bridey. Wonderful job and loved the tie in to Wizard of Oz.

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. Very happy you liked the ending :)

@eleventuroff8589 8 ай бұрын

That’s my senior year English teacher right there!!!

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

haha! Thank you for watching, Eleven! You've always been such a sweet support of your teacher's wacky endeavors!

@filipkovideo 8 ай бұрын

Amazing ❤ this should be added to the schools English curriculum!

@brideyheidel5158 8 ай бұрын

Thank you. We can add it after I retire, maybe :)

@fatsavagecosplay 20 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for this. Sharing your story helps inspire others. Myself included.

@brianscott3541 8 күн бұрын

So impressed Bridey!!!! Wonderful.

@warlock3882 4 ай бұрын

I remember those ice cream wigs ! Best part of my childhood was with you sister ! Love so MUCH ❤

@brideythelenheidel 4 ай бұрын

oh, the wigs! Too fun being a small part of so many kids' summers. Love the good memories!

@atlas_aultman 8 ай бұрын

Really good talk Bridey 🙏🏻

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

ATLAS!!!!!!! Thank you so much for your continuing support and encouragement. So happy to stay connected. WE DID IT! Your talk is getting some amazing attention, too!

@CarolynPhillips65 8 ай бұрын

Wow! Used it in session today and it was so helpful!

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

Oh my gosh, really??? Would love to hear how it helped! Thank you for trusting my message with those you help to heal.

@MD-tj4br 8 ай бұрын

This made me rethink so many bad experiences I had as a child and now I can think of them in a more positive, empowering way. Thank you.

@brideythelenheidel 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching it, and I'm so grateful you found something helpful to use from it. I'm so sorry for all you went through and hope it also gives you some sense that when we share our stories, we might heal along with others who hear it.