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.
TEDxQueenstown kicked off in 2013 to bring the spirit of TED to Queenstown. After two successful events the 2015 event took place with the theme "Illumination". "Illumination" conjures up a raft of images for us all; spark, growth, ideas, transition, stimulation, concept. TEDxQueenstown co-curator Trent Yeo said illumination was a "broad topic that means many things to many people. After lots of discussion and brainstorming with the army of volunteers and peers, we decided illumination perfectly epitomizes Queenstown and has such potential to yield some great speeches. It’s already provoked a lot of discussion within the ranks as to what it means to all of us."
The TEDxQueenstown crew put together an amazing line up of speakers. Amongst such company as archeologists, adventurers, humanitarians, photographers and more, our very own Dane Barclay was a featured speaker at the event. Dane delivered a talk drawing on his experience as a performance psychologist specialising in determination and discipline. Having worked with Olympic and Commonwealth Games medalists, touring professionals, elite athletes and multinational companies to understand how to thrive under pressure and get the best out of themselves, Dane demonstrated how the brain operates under pressure and showed how you can learn to move out of your comfort zone.
Dane's TEDxQueenstown 2015 talk, "Get Comfortable With Your Discomfort" can be watched below, or on the official TEDx Talks YouTube channel.