The 6 words you need to change your life | Maria Thattil | TEDxSydney

TL;DR

A woman of color shares her journey from being a closeted child of Indian immigrants to becoming Miss Universe Australia and embracing her identity as an openly queer and sex-positive author, TV presenter, and podcaster.

Transcript

thank you do you all remember a significant moment where your life changed the year here is 2020 and I have just come out of 112 days in lockdown and I'm one of two women on a split screen broadcasted digitally all over the world and I hear and the winner is Maria the till and in that moment I had just become only the third woman of color in 69 yea... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ The journey to personal transformation and success is not defined by one grand moment but rather by everyday decisions and actions.
• 📶 Embracing and celebrating our differences can be a source of strength and empowerment.
• ❓ Overcoming societal expectations and limitations requires courage and the willingness to challenge conventional norms.
• 🥺 Using one's platform to speak up about important issues can lead to personal growth and create positive change.
• 🥰 Online hate and criticism should not deter individuals from being visible and heard.
• 🤳 Self-acceptance is crucial for living a fulfilled life beyond limits.
• 😃 Cumulative moments of courage and determination pave the way for big change.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the defining moment in Maria's life that changed everything?

Maria's life changed when she won the title of Miss Universe Australia, becoming only the third woman of color in 69 years to achieve that honor. It was a significant milestone in her journey of self-acceptance and empowerment.

Q: How did Maria overcome societal expectations and limitations?

Maria challenged societal expectations by embracing her skin color, sexuality, and ambitions. She stopped trying to fit someone else's idea of beauty, power, and success and instead embraced her own identity.

Q: How did Maria campaign for Miss Universe Australia during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Unable to attend events or network due to the lockdown, Maria took to social media. She hosted an empowerment series on Instagram Live, discussing social and political issues. This campaign helped her gain visibility and recognition.

Q: How did Maria handle the online hate and criticism she faced?

Despite receiving hate comments and facing racism and discrimination, Maria refused to let it define her. She used her differences as reasons to be present and fought against the idea that who she was needed fixing.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker, Maria, went from being a closeted child of Indian immigrants to becoming Miss Universe Australia, breaking barriers as a woman of color.

• She shares her experience of feeling stuck in her life and waiting for a "propeller moment" to change everything.

• Maria embraced her true self, including her skin color, sexuality, and ambitions, and used her platform to speak up about social and political issues.