Reclaim your narrative: The choice that changes everything | Alie Savane | TEDxSyracuseUniversity
We all live within stories—the ones we’re told and the ones we tell ourselves. But what happens when those stories limit our potential? Alie, a first-generation college student from The Bronx, knows the weight of those narratives and the freedom that comes with rewriting them.
In this talk, he shares his journey of reclaiming the pen and challenging the self-doubt and expectations that tried to hold him back. By reshaping the stories we believe, we can transform our lives and inspire others to do the same.
This isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about creating a ripple effect. The stories we choose to live by can spark change in our communities, schools, and workplaces. It all begins with one decision: to reclaim your narrative. Alie is a dynamic leader, scholar, entrepreneur, and content creator dedicated to medicine, community empowerment, and business innovation. A biology major with a psychology minor at Syracuse University, he balances academics with mentorship, advocacy, and creative expression.A first-generation student from the Bronx, Alie is a mentor to many, fosters entrepreneurship, leadership, and cultural celebration on campus. His dedication to global health has taken him to Guatemala and The Gambia, shaping his aspiration to combat health disparities as a physician.Alie is also the founder of Bété Kola, a health and wellness brand specializing in kola nut-based products, merging West African heritage with modern nutrition. His business has won him competitions hosted by Syracuse University's Blackstone LaunchPad.Beyond academia and business, Alie creates fitness and motivational content, inspiring others to build discipline, resilience, and success. Through his work in medicine, leadership, entrepreneurship, and content creation, he is shaping a legacy of inclusivity, empowerment, and innovation, motivating others to push beyond their limits. 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
More from TED
- 15:01Science without Cruelty of Sacrifice | Nienke IJspeert | TEDxLeidenUniversityWhat if we could revolutionize medicine without animal testing? Ninke’s rhesearch is paving the way for nanobody-based medicines - developed completely animal-free! The journey wasn’t easy, but it proves that scientific progress and ethical innovation can go hand in hand, and you can ignite this change. What if we could revolutionize medicine without animal testing? ?❌ ? Nienke’s research is paving the way for nanobody-based medicines - developed completely animal-free! The journey wasn’t easy, but it proves that scientific progress and ethical innovation can go hand in hand. ? 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
- 13:35Unlocking the power of tree equity, one voice at a time | Jerome Foster II | TEDxBostonLooking at a map of tree cover can often tell more than the number of trees in a given neighborhood. There is a critical link between tree canopy cover, environmental justice, and historic investment. Communities with less tree cover face higher temperatures, dangerous humidity, and flood risks. This disparity can be traced back to redlining legislation that labeled whole neighborhoods as hazardous, leading to lower property values and fewer green investments. Planting trees is a simple and tangible action to raise home values and improve health outcomes. Advocating for tree equity can also be a community-led solution. Local actions are a powerful lever to bring about the systemic change needed to address climate threats and racial injustice. Hear one personal journey from high school activism to serving on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, showing the power of using one's voice to spark a movement. Jerome Foster II is an environmental activist and served as the youngest-ever White House advisor in United States history as a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council within the Biden administration. Foster is a leading voice for marginalized and working class communities in spaces pushing for social, economic and environmental justice. Foster is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future; holding weekly climate strikes at the front gates of the White House for over 57 weeks. He has previously served as a congressional intern for U.S. Representative John Lewis at the age of 16 and served on the Washington DC State Board of Education's Advisory Council at the age of 14. Foster has helped organize some of the largest climate marches in Washington, D.C., and has spoken at the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations Youth Climate Summit. 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
- 15:19Don't Take a Gap Year, Take a Life Year | Tomás Esquivel | TEDxLeidenUniversityA gap year is exactly that - a gap in your life for an entire year. But what if you flipped the script? A life year is the same… and the complete opposite. One year where you listen to your inner voice, follow that neglected passion, and see where it takes you. Tomas took a life year, and now he’s sharing his story of connection, struggle, and transformation. What if you took one too? A gap year is exactly that - a gap in your life for a whole year. But what if you flipped the script? A life year is the same… and the complete opposite. One year where you listen to your inner voice, follow that neglected passion, and see where it takes you. ?✨ Tomas took a life year, and now he’s sharing his story of connection, struggle, and transformation. ? What if you took one too? ? 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
- 12:33Mind over Pain: Harnessing Thoughts for Physical Healing | Seif Alidani | TEDxLeidenUniversityWhat if your thoughts were the key to pain relief? Back, neck, and other chronic pains may feel purely physical, but fear and perception play a powerful role in keeping pain alive - or making it disappear. Blending physiotherapy and psychology, Seif reveals how shifting your mindset can unlock healing and a better quality of life. What if your thoughts were the key to pain relief? ?? Back, neck, and other chronic pains may feel purely physical, but fear and perception play a powerful role in keeping pain alive - or making it disappear. Blending physiotherapy and psychology, Seif reveals how shifting your mindset can unlock healing and a better quality of life. ? 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
- 16:16Who Runs the World | Neha Ratnakar | TEDxLeidenUniversityWho runs the world? Not just girls- all of us! But here’s the catch: unpaid labor, the motherhood penalty, and dropping birth rates are holding society back. What if we valued caregiving like airline miles? It’s time to rethink work, family, and fairness - because humanity needs 100% of us to thrive. Who runs the world? Not just girls - ALL of us! ?? But here’s the catch: unpaid labor, the motherhood penalty, and dropping birth rates are holding society back. What if we valued caregiving like airline miles? It’s time to rethink work, family, and fairness - because humanity needs 100% of us to thrive. ? 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
- 12:37Change your Environment, Change your Life | Maron Theunis | TEDxLeidenUniversityWhat happens when emotional neglect shapes your childhood? The effects run deep, but breaking free from a dysfunctional environment can change everything. This talk explores the lasting impact of emotional neglect - and how healing begins when you step away. What happens when emotional neglect shapes your childhood? The effects run deep, but breaking free from a dysfunctional environment can change everything. Maron explores the lasting impact of emotional neglect - and how healing begins when you step away. ? 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