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Unleashing the Power of Courage: One Fear at a Time
In a world where fear often dictates our choices and limits our potential, a powerful voice emerges to inspire a transformative journey. Janice Burt, a multi-talented individual with a diverse background, has embarked on a mission to challenge the boundaries of fear and unlock the path to true freedom. Through her upcoming TEDxFolsom talk, she invites us to reimagine our relationship with fear, embracing it as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. With a compelling personal narrative and a vision that transcends individual transformation, Janice promises to ignite a ripple effect that will reverberate through communities, nations, and ultimately, the entire world.
Share with us a bit about your background and what inspired you to apply to speak at TEDxFolsom?
I am a Spanish interpreter, voiceover artist/actor, yoga instructor, inspirational speaker, and author. I’m the ‘beaming with pride’ mother of two adult children and live in Sacramento, CA. As a child, I lived in Mexico City for five years. Living in another country allowed me to see the world from a different vantage point, and my time spent in Mexico has impacted much of how I show up in the world today. I was inspired to speak at TEDxFolsom because its reputation precedes it. It’s an amazing, local platform with incredibly talented humans at the helm, and I am thrilled to be able to share my idea on its stage!
Without giving away too much – Can you provide a summary of what your topic for Reimagine is about?
My idea worth spreading is to walk through one fear per year. My belief is that if we each make the choice to walk through our fears in this way, we will transform not only ourselves, but our communities, our country, and ultimately, the world. We will experience more confidence, joy, empathy, courage, and love right on the other side of the prison of fear.
What was your inspiration or reflection point for generating this idea that was worth spreading?
My inspiration came from my own lived experience. 12 years ago I had the realization that fear was controlling my life. I became acutely aware of my people-pleasing, fearful tendencies, caring more about what others thought about me than anything else. I was terrified of people’s criticism and judgment. I frequently dealt with fear of failure, or fear of the unknown, and fear of not being good enough.
I finally decided that I was tired of living confined and paralyzed by fear, so I made a vow. I vowed that I would walk through one fear per year. It’s been 12 years since I made that vow and I have a list of 12 things I’ve done to walk through my fears. As a result of facing my fears head on, I am a completely different woman today than I was back then. I want others to experience this type of freedom, peace, and purpose in their own lives. Our individual transformations will no doubt have a ripple effect and positively impact our communities and our world.
What are you looking forward to most with your talk?
I’m looking forward to being in a room with brilliant minds and open hearts. I’m looking forward to sharing my idea and absorbing all of the other insightful ideas. I love being around changemakers and visionaries, and I have no doubt that there will be a plethora of both at the event. My desire is to create impact, spread hope, and change people’s perceptions about what is possible in their lives.
How do you foresee your TEDxFolsom talk impacting viewers locally and globally?
My hope is that many people will join me on this journey of walking through one fear per year. Fear holds us back, keeps us playing small, and negatively affects our lives. As we intentionally do things that scare us, we prove to ourselves that we are more powerful than our fears. We build our courage muscle. We take our power back. We live the life that we are meant to live instead of one stunted by fear. As each of us transform individually, this growth will inevitably lead to change and transformation on a global scale.
If there is one nugget of information you want someone to walk away with that view’s your TEDx Talk, what would that be?
You are one decision away from completely transforming your life. On the other side of your fears is where freedom, peace, and love reside. Decide, take action, and watch your life change in ways you’ve never even imagined possible. Walking through one fear each year allows you to be the creator of your life story, and what an amazing life story it will be!
What’s the best way for people to reach out to you to learn more about your TEDx talk topic?
As the anticipation for Janice’s TEDxFolsom talk builds, her message resonates with a profound truth: we are all one decision away from transforming our lives. By courageously confronting our fears, one by one, we unleash the power to rewrite our narratives and reclaim our innate sense of freedom, peace, and love. Through her inspiring words and personal journey, Janice invites us to embark on a collective voyage of self-empowerment, where fear no longer dictates our choices but becomes the catalyst for embracing our fullest potential. Her call to action is a clarion call for changemakers, visionaries, and those seeking to live authentically, reminding us that by facing our fears head-on, we pave the way for a future where courage, joy, and empathy reign supreme.