# How do you define yourself?

- Institution: TED
- Department: TEDxAustinWomen
- Speaker: Lizzie Velásquez
- Year: 2013
- Level: For everyone
- Language: English
- Source: [TED](https://www.ted.com/talks/lizzie_velasquez_how_do_you_define_yourself)
- Licence: [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) (Non-commercial use only, and no changed versions.)
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (sources give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the source's own words)

Born with a rare disorder that prevents her from gaining weight, Lizzie Velasquez has faced more negativity and bullying than most. Over time, she's developed a simple but effective coping mechanism. "Tell me those negative things," she says. "I'm gonna turn them around and use them as a ladder to climb up to my goals." In this funny, personal talk, Lizzie shares her story – and the tools to help people reject hateful perspectives while embracing self-definition.

## Lectures

1. [How do you define yourself?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/learn/ted/lizzie_velasquez_how_do_you_define_yourself/e02f7e323679), 14 min (TED's player)