In You Were Never Meant to Be Just One Thing, Faye McCray reflects on how the world often decides who we are before we get the chance. Drawing from her life as a 6'1 woman, a mother, a federal lawyer, and a writer, she explores what it means to live beyond assumptions and embrace the complexity of identity. This talk invites us to question why we limit ourselves and others to a single definition when we’ve always been more than one thing. Faye McCray is a speaker, consultant, and former attorney whose work spans law, media, and wellness. With over a decade of legal experience in high-pressure environments, she understands the challenges professionals face when balancing ambition with personal well-being. She has led content and communications for brands like Healthline, Well+Good, Livestrong, and Psych Central, centering mental health, wellness, and healthy workplace culture. As a strategic adviser to leaders and organizations like The Washington Post and Goldman Sachs, Faye helps shape authentic stories that build trust and connection. A frequent speaker on professional identity, leadership, and wellness, she has been honored as an Aspen Ideas Fellow and featured on NBC News Now, Good Day NY, and at events like SXSW and Ad Week. Faye holds a B.A. in English from Binghamton University, an M.A. in Writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a J.D. from Howard University School of Law. In her talk, she reflects on how the world often decides who we are before we get the chance. Drawing from her life as a 6'1 woman, a mother, a federal lawyer, and a writer, she explores what it means to live beyond assumptions and embrace the complexity of identity. This talk invites us to question why we limit ourselves and others to a single definition when we’ve always been more than one thing. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx