There’s something sacred about the TEDx stage. That little red dot on the floor? It’s not just a platform—it’s a signal to the world that an idea is worth listening to. That a story has weight. That a voice matters.

And I believe with everything in me that becoming belongs there.

becoming—always lowercase—isn’t a typo. It’s intentional. This journey is never finished. This evolution is never finished. This messy, magnificent unraveling of who we were and who we’re meant to be is never finished. We’re always in motion, always shifting. We don’t capitalize something that isn’t done yet. becoming is a living verb, not a title.

And yes, our mascot is the platypus. That gloriously odd, unboxable creature that breaks every rule of classification. The platypus is soft and strong, quiet and fierce, wild and wise. It doesn’t fit into anyone’s tidy categories—and that’s exactly the point. Just like us. Just like becoming.

This fall, I’m not just tossing my name into some random hat. I’m pouring my heart, soul, and every hard-won truth into the fierce, beautiful competition. I want to earn the privilege of stepping onto that TEDx stage. Because becoming isn’t just a story—it’s a lifeline. It’s a rallying cry for every person who’s ever felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy. This message needs to be shared. There’s no place more powerful or more sacred than the red dot where ideas become movements.

I’m not chasing a stage. I’m chasing the moment where someone hears this talk and realizes they aren’t broken—they’re just still becoming.

And if that’s you? Just wait. We’re only getting started.

#becoming
#IdeasWorthSharing
#platypuspower
#TEDx2025 #TEDxDavenport