It was not always a dream of mine. I didn’t even imagine it was possible. But there I was, giving a talk at TEDx Northwestern University. Let me take you on the journey of how it all came to be.
The Book: Health in Flames
Three years ago in August 2021, I published my first (and only) book: Health in Flames. Writing the book was something of a surprising experience. The book reflected much of what I believed about the world and the direction we are headed vs where we should be headed but writing it actually clarified to me my own thoughts in a way I never understood before I put pen to paper. Its like something magical happened: my ideas started to make sense – to me! Honestly, if you’ve never written anything longer than a shopping list, I highly recommend it – if nothing else than to be able to understand your own thinking better.
The result was a book centered on health but in equal parts economics, finance, psychology, and sociology. The implications of the arguments made were beyond just our health. It’s not just about eating more kale but rather a call for a paradigm shift in the way our society works and functions. Thankfully, many readers really connected with it. It got some great reviews and even won a few awards—though, unfortunately, none of them involved a red carpet or an acceptance speech.
Needless to say, the book didn’t skyrocket to New York Times bestseller list. I didn’t have the fame, the Instagram followers, or the TikTok dance skills that often catapult books and ideas into the spotlight. And yet, I continued to be genuinely passionate about the ideals expressed in the book. Namely, that mindless consumerism, contrary to what our political leaders think, is a path to harm not to improvement. It is not just that I was offering a better path forward. My argument was that there was no other path forward. By forward I mean one that leads to better health, wellbeing, and ultimately happiness. There is no other path forward except one that will address and curb mindless consumerism.
Podcasts, Blogs, Speaking
Thus driven, I’ve juggled my medical practice with a side hustle of writing blogs, appearing on podcasts, speaking and just trying to get my ideas out there to anyone who was willing to listen. Picture a doctor by day, crusader against consumerism by night—minus the cape and dramatic entrance.
Gaining traction was a challenge, like convincing a cat to take a bath. But I was okay with that. I was driven by a vision, not by the allure of fame or fortune (not that I would have said no to either).
Enter TEDx. No one is paid to speak. Rarely does anyone become famous from giving a talk on the stage. But it does help gain visibility, lends credence which opens doors, helps promote ideas, and fosters dialogue. That was what I was interested in.
Applying to TEDx
Just a little less than a year ago, I started applying to various TEDx stages. There are several of them. One of the requirements common among various TEDx events is a 1-2minute video pitching your idea to them. I had a hard time with that time limit. Many ideas can be conveyed in a minute or two but this was hard for me to do even in the full 18 minutes allowed for the talk.
In the orange box at the bottom (of every single blog post I write) is my “quick summary” which could be condensed to a single point: Mindless consumerism is the reason for the rise of chronic disease and that by becoming mindful consumers we could be happier and healthier. But just saying that alone without detailed explanation is like serving a great dish without the seasoning – it just doesn’t come across right.
I must have applied to 15 TEDx events across the country. I wish I could say most of them were eager to put me on stage. Not quite. I received many rejections. I only heard back from three of them. Of those, I only got a single invitation beyond the first round. 1 for 15! Good enough!!
The team at Northwestern University was gracious (or crazy) enough to take a chance on me for which I will always be grateful. In January 2024 I was notified. I already knew almost exactly what I wanted to say (with just a dash of panic) – basically an 18 minute version of the ideas in Health in Flames. Also, my wonderful colleagues at the Austin Diagnostic Clinic (where I practice medicine) gave me a chance to present my thoughts on health to various small groups of doctors for a few minutes. That helped me practice getting the talk down to just the essentials.
TEDxNorthwesternU
Once selected, TEDx doesn’t just throw you on stage and hope for the best. They assign each speaker a curator (kind of like a fairy godmother without so much glitter). I was lucky enough to work with Lane Ruble. Lane was a freshman at the time but I tell you I could not have gotten better advice from a person with 50 years of relevant experience. Her feedback was spot-on, insightful and invaluable. I’m convinced she was an old sage disguised as a young student.
Together, over several sessions, we refined the talk, improved the visuals, and rehearsed many times. The TEDx team, including Ari, Janya, and others, was fantastic— they made the whole process fun, or as fun as repeatedly talking to yourself can be.
In late April, I finally stepped onto the TEDx stage. It was exhilarating, like the moment before you dive into a pool—excited but also praying you don’t belly flop. Thankfully, it went well, and I walked off the stage feeling a mix of pride and sheer relief.
I Need Your Help!
It takes a few months after the talk before it comes out on YouTube. They need time for video editing. It is reviewed by the main TED team to be sure everything is up to standards. Finally, just a few days ago the video came out.
To the extent it has been a success I owe it to many of you and now count on you to help me to continue to promote the ideas. This is a monumental task of immense importance, no one person can make it work. Let’s not accept the status quo – we know the way forward. Help me out! Share the video, talk to others, discuss mindless spending. Do this for yourselves and for our children so they may enjoy a brighter future. And remember…
BOTTOM LINE: THERE IS A BETTER WAY!
- As John Maynard Keynes said a century ago, people of our time ought to be largely independent of our employers for our income – unfortunately, due to “mindless consumerism”, we are not.
- Mindless consumerism is the underlying reason leading to the rise of chronic disease for 3 major reasons:
- It ties us to dependence on our employers and modern day employment is a health hazard for most (in part due to the sedentary nature of most jobs).
- It has led to environmental changes toxic to our wellbeing:
- (a). We evolved in and are best suited to natural environments and instead we live in increasingly artificial environments.
- (b). Overconsumption has lead us to engineer out the need for meaningful use of our legs for ambulation.
- Finally, it transforms workers to work with blinders on – instead of working for the product or service and receiving money as a side effect, workers focus on making money and the product or service is instead the side effect. The results (with respect to health) is that “food” is no longer food but changed to maximize pleasure and extract profit in spite of the toxicity to our health.
- Based on the science of wellbeing one can derive the philosophy that once basic needs are met, “The best things in life are free” therefore —>
- Most people can live far below their means without sacrificing happiness AND by investing the rest, they can become financially independent of their employers enabling them to be —>
- Happier. Healthier. Wealthier. More engaged. Simply better.
