This is a talk focusing on transformation after surviving a life-threatening brain haemorrhage at 35, and the journey this led Kate on to become a innovator. Kate, a proud Cornish woman, has transformed her life through resilience and creativity. After surviving a life-threatening brain haemorrhage at 35, her outlook on life changed drastically and made her realise that tomorrow is never promised. This experience sparked a renewed focus on creativity and the desire to turn personal challenges into meaningful opportunities. Inspired by the values of her Granny Florence, who taught her that “there’s no such word as can’t,” Kate founded Flotsam Flo—a business dedicated to repurposing difficult to recycle materials, such as wetsuits, life jackets and more.Through Flotsam Flo, Kate works with local charities, including a Hospice that cared for a close friend before her passing. A former secondary school teacher, Kate also leads workshops that raise awareness about waste and show others how they can creatively repurpose materials, spreading the message that there’s other ways to approach waste. 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
- 11:15Power of being uncomfortable | Somya Baral | TEDxVITSomya Baral explores the power of discomfort in driving transformation through personal stories of resilience. He shares how a knee injury led him to complete a marathon and how embracing AI pushed him beyond his limits. Introducing the "Cold Plunge" mindset and S.T.A.R.T. framework, he demonstrates how small shifts create lasting change. In this TEDx talk, he urges us to step beyond our comfort zones, reframe challenges, and lead with purpose. Somya Baral, Vice President at Morgan Stanley, has over 18 years of experience in capital markets, specializing in algorithmic trading, smart order routing, and low-latency electronic trading systems. With expertise in FIX protocols, sales and trading strategies, and performance optimization, he has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge financial technology solutions. A DevOps expert, he integrates tools like Git, Jenkins, Ansible, Docker, and Kubernetes on AWS to enhance system reliability and security. Certified in ITIL Foundation and Service Operations, he excels in strategic planning, agile project management, and fintech innovation. 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
- 11:46Why Losing Today Wins You Tomorrow!! | Rohit Bhandwalkar | TEDxVITWe all believe in a formula for success—work hard, follow the right path, and everything will fall into place. But what happens when it doesn’t? When the plan fails, and you’re left wondering, What now? In this talk, Rohit Bhandwalkar shares his journey of chasing a dream that didn’t work out—twice—and how that failure led him to unexpected opportunities, passions, and a life he never could have planned. Through personal stories and the science of post-traumatic growth, he explores how setbacks aren’t dead ends but turning points in disguise. Rohit B. Bhandwalkar is currently engineering student of VIT (Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai) with a passion for building apps and software that make life easier. A skilled debater, he was a district-level finalist in the Federal Bank's Speak for India debate competition. When he's not writing code, he's either leading initiatives-having held a leadership role in the Unstop Igniters Club-or captivating audiences with his words. A storyteller at heart, he has performed at numerous open mics and events, with his work featured in anthologies like Petals 2022, From My Heart, and Poetry Express. 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
