Theme: RE- Reboot, Reset, Rethink, Redo, Rewind, Regroup...

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

College of Central Florida
3001 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL
Ocala, Florida, 34474
United States

Amira Sims

Spoken Word Poet

Amira Sims is a mother of four, a college professor, and a spoken word artist. She has been on the frontline teaching, uplifting, and helping students find their niche. Amira earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Valdosta State University (VSU). She is currently a doctoral student at Capella University. Her motto and self-proclaimed tag line “learning is my thing” neatly sums up many of her interests and her inspiration. Amira’s spoken word career began at VSU when one of her professors inquired if she shared her poems with others. This nudge led to her helping to start Poetic Magic. For Amira, poetry is an effort to bring forth the fruits of her thoughts. Initially, she took the stage name Mi (pronounced -me) because she said she is sharing a piece of herself with the audience when she shares a poem. Nowadays she usually just goes by her first name when she has the pleasure to speak.

Carey David

Writer, Encourager

Carey was born and raised in Maryland outside of our Capitol and currently lives in Ocala, Florida. Ask Carey what his passion is and he doesn’t even hesitate. “Writing! Words are powerful.” He has been a featured writer in Ocala Magazine as well as being published on The Good Men Project and Huffington Post online. He enjoys the arts, a good discussion, learning new things, and with his “digital nomad” lifestyle you could find him at a Starbucks near you!

Caryn Antonini

Influencer

Caryn’s mission is to see that our future generations become multilingual and culturally competent. Caryn began speaking foreign languages from a young age and has always been fascinated with language acquisition and other cultures and customs. Her passion led her to the Georgetown University School of Languages and Linguistics where she graduated with high honors. It was there that she cultivated her understanding of how children learn languages and its connection to their cognitive development. When Caryn had her own child and wanted to teach him foreign languages at a young age, she found nothing on the market that put into practice what she had learned. That inspired Caryn to embark on developing a comprehensive program, the end result being the award-winning, innovative Early Lingo Learning System.

Connie King

Mental Health Professional/Consultant

Connie King is a native Floridian born and raised in Marion County. Passionate about education, mental health, justice, and the law, Connie has an AS degree in Paralegal Studies a bachelor’s degree in Criminology/Human Services and a master’s degree in professional counseling. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified Dependency Mediator and uses her knowledge in conflict resolution as a clinical counselor. Connie was the first African American judicial assistant in Marion County and the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida. She served the office of the Honorable Sandra Edwards-Stephens, who was Marion County’s first woman, and first African American judge.

Deborah Grassman

Founder of Opus Peace

Few people have been with 10,000 dying veterans; five VA hospice nurses have. What these nurses witnessed is providing lessons for the rest of the world. The lessons are about how to attain personal peace, and ironically, these lessons have come from people who were trained for war and from people who were dying. The nurses discovered a phenomenon that has become identified as “Soul Injury®.” Led by Deborah Grassman, the five nurses left the VA to start Opus Peace, a non-profit organization with a mission of taking the Soul Injury® message to people who are not veterans and to people who are not dying. These pioneering nurses now provide educational materials and self- help tools to help people learn how to self-compassionately connect with the part of self-holding their pain and shame, allowing people to re-connect with their soul – with who they really are.

Devin Burke

Sleep and Performance Coach

Devin Burke helps people wake up with energy to get more done, in less time without burning out. He is an author, speaker, coach, and founder of Empowerment Wellness Solutions, a company focused on empowering individuals and organizations to increase their capacity and performance. He is also the founder of Sleep ScienceCoach.com which helps people stop suffering and start sleeping using a unique holistic approach based in science. He was named one of the “Top 25 Health Coaches in America.” and has studied innovative holistic coaching methods from some of the world’s top health and human performance experts for over a decade.

Frank Perdomo

Career Academy Teacher

Founding educator of Marion Technical Institute(Present-2005) and two-time Golden Apple Teacher of the Year (2016, 2019) for MTI, Mr. Perdomo teaches an interdisciplinary curriculum of Civics, Economics, and Humanities known as the “Career Academy” at the College of Central Florida, where students from all parts of Marion County collaborate across multiple spheres of the community. Laura and Frank Perdomo practice entrepreneurship as owners of The Peacock Cottage, a local plant shop in Chelsea Square on Silver Springs Boulevard. Frank privately publishes a blog called “Botfly.net” and tweets under the handle @BeardofSteel out in the Ocala National Forest.

Jen Zoë Hall

Transformation Leader

From a small town in Southeast Missouri, Jen Zoë had always been fascinated with horses. Her career with horses, however, did not begin until the age of 30 when she started taking horseback riding lessons. She realized she wanted more and quickly developed her career with horses by studying with some of the best horsemen in the world. While attending a personal development event, she realized that the parallels and patterns between horses and humans were quite profound and needed to be brought together. Jen started to understand the deeper way that horses teach humans. After years of research and training, Jen launched Zenerjen and her Equine Assisted Empowerment programs to help transform lives through the spirit of the horse. Jen now lives in Orlando, Florida at her horse sanctuary and retreat center where she works with people from all walks of life and all parts of the world, creating breakthroughs with her seminars, training, and retreats.

Marc Cordon

Positive Psychology Coach

He is a positive psychology coach, co-founder of The Joy Revolution™, and author of the book Beyond Resilient: The Coach’s Guide to Ecstatic Growth. He specializes in transitions, leadership, performance, and well-being, helping people break through to the next level to find greater enjoyment and purpose in their lives. With a focus on misfit entrepreneurs and leaders who march to the beat of their own drum, Marc’s coaching empowers people to claim their own joy as they make a difference for others. Marc served as the Associate Director of Health Promotion and of Multicultural Programs and Services at Emory University where he developed programs and curriculum on social justice, positive psychology, and community engagement. He has received a BS in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and a Masters in Public Health in Policy and Management, as well as coaching accolades from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and the WholeBeing Institute.

Natalia Levey

Chef - Happy Gut Health Coach

Natalia Levey is a healthy gourmet chef, restaurateur, author of the book Cravings Boss which fixes pesky food cravings for good. As the founder of Healthy Intent, Natalia shares her passion for delicious and nutritious food through recipes, workshops, online courses, and her YouTube channel. Originally from Russia, Natalia has an extensive international culinary background, having traveled all over the world to learn from different countries and cultures. She received her culinary training at the Art Institute of New York, graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and is certified as a nutritional consultant from The American Association of Nutritional Consultants.

Patricia Wagner

Truth Teller

Patricia Wagner’s career took her along two paths. In the ’90s, her last corporate position was as a director with the Tampa Downtown Partnership, during which she oversaw the development of Lykes Gaslight Park, a recipient of the city, county and international awards. Patricia also was responsible for the formation of the Tampa Downtown Guides and Tampa Downtown Clean Team, enhanced services teams in operation today. In 2000, Patricia Wagner opened Grace Unlimited Inc. in Tampa as a metaphysical art gallery. Grace Unlimited today is a New Thought ministry through which Patricia offers inspirational talks, presentations, and workshops. She is an ordained Divine Science minister, a licensed Unity teacher and the founder of a mindfulness practice called Looking for Light.

Rami Elghandour

Engineer, venture capitalist, CEO

Rami is an engineer, Venture Capitalist, and CEO who’s making a positive impact through his work and leadership. Rami built one of the most successful medical technology companies and established a culture recognized for its diversity. Rami earned recognition as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, as one of the top CEOs in the U.S. and as one of the top CEOs for women and diversity. Rami is a recipient of the Bill Campbell award by Watermark, a leading women’s organization, for his influence, impact, and advocacy in promoting women and women’s issues. Rami serves as a start-up advisor, a guest lecturer, and as a judge for the Entrepreneur of the Year program.

Tara Well

Psychologist, Mirror Gazing Expert

Tara Well, Ph.D. is a psychology professor at Barnard College of Columbia University. Her research on motivation and perception has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health and published in the top psychology journals. She recently developed a mirror-based meditation called, “a revelation” published in The New York Times. She has been quoted in Forbes, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg, INC, Shape, Allure and more. Her Psychology Today column, The Clarity, has over 750K readers.

Tony Ferretti

Connections Coach

Tony Ferretti, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist specializing in helping professionally, successful clients achieve work-life balance and manage interpersonal problems and conflicts. After two decades of working with top leaders, Dr. Ferretti recognized that the very same traits that took his clients to the top of their careers often took their relationships over the edge. Sharing his wisdom and expertise, Dr. Ferretti has helped countless high-profile clients wake up to the addictive nature of power, control, and success and learn to cultivate balance in their relationships and life. An active blogger sought after public speaker, and seminar leader, Dr. Ferretti has made numerous media appearances including the Dr. Phil Show and hosted his own weekly radio show “Talk to Tony,” for nearly two years.