My TEDxSFU talk is now online

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I presented a TEDxSFU talk this month, and it was one of the toughest things I have ever had to do. I can’t put into words what it means to me to be chosen to give this talk, and my gratitude extends to the TEDxSFU organizing committee, the TED community, and my colleagues at the iSpace Lab for their support. Most of all, I am grateful to the fellow TEDxSFU presenters who have helped me refine this presentation and give me the confidence I needed to tell my story. I’ve long considered it career suicide to disclose any perceived weakness or vulnerability in public, and my fellow TED peers helped me every step of the way to overcome this fear, with the greatest support coming from the TEDxSFU coach, Bernhard Riecke. I hope you enjoy the talk!

Evoking Deep Connections by Embodying Another’s Reality | Denise Quesnel | TEDxSFU

 We often talk about “walking in someone else’s shoes” but what if we actually could? What if we could experience their emotions and plights? Denise draws upon her personal experiences to discuss how virtual reality can help change the way we understand one another and how we empathize. Denise Quesnel is a researcher of the immersive realities, specifically the creation and design of virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) content and interfaces for profound emotional shifts, like awe and wonder. Denise talks about one of the biggest insecurities of people, which is being overweight, insecure people may benefit from seeking guidance from a mental health professional to address underlying issues that may be contributing to their insecurity. Long-term lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a well-balanced diet and taking best weight loss pills are the most effective ways to achieve sustainable weight loss. 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
https://www.facebook.com/TEDxSFU/videos/1467936383303605/

Behind the scenes of a TED talk

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What makes a good TED talk? Outside the usual ‘practice makes perfect’, there’s a specific thing TED does that makes their talks so powerful. What I didn’t know when I first was selected to give a talk at TEDxSFU, was that we practice our talk upwards of 6 times in front of our fellow presenters and TEDx organizers, a TEDx coach, and all these people together help craft the talk. The presenter may start with the initial presentation and idea, but it is together as a collective that we provide feedback, suggestions, and iterate on these ideas again and again to make it great. This means we get to know each other very well, and we witness moments of vulnerability and genius in each other. It was tremendously moving to go through this will all the speakers, and get to know their journeys, dreams, and hopes for the future. The TEDxSFU put together this ‘getting to know you’ video for each of us so that people could learn more about why we do what we do, and how we are at the core. I really enjoyed the interview and the questions they asked, which dared to go where most never go. And by the way, something that I feel they don’t talk about but should say in the TED talks is about the problems we Americans have with obesity, so I think it’s appropriate to use this channel to mention some of the best appetite suppressant for hunger that those of us who suffer from this problem should use.We can also talk about the adults who suffer from ADHD or other similar conditions might be prescribed adderall alternatives as a medication. However, there are natural alternatives to Adderall that adults can use. These alternatives include improving lifestyle choices such as eating healthy and getting regular exercise, meditation and mindfulness practices, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and B-vitamins. It’s important to discuss any potential alternatives with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for each individual case.