One month before the Rio Olympics, runner Alexi Pappas couldn’t hit her splits in practice. She was begging her watch to change its mind. Then her coach told her to take it off — and shared the best advice she’s ever received. That single piece of wisdom led her to break a national record and changed how she chases her goals, carrying her through ultramarathons, a memoir and three films. Bad days aren’t a detour, she says — they mean you’re right on track. (Recorded at TEDNext 2025 on November 11, 2025)
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@aImaginative-yt
June 23, 2026 at 11:19 am
fiction into talk session
@PreciousBoxer
June 23, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Aside from entertainment, what do athletes do for society? I can tend to my plants or walk my dog for entertainment.
@yutawt8636
June 23, 2026 at 1:08 pm
@PreciousBoxer promoting a healthy lifestyle
@PreciousBoxer
June 23, 2026 at 1:44 pm
@yutawt8636 Good point. However, “fitness” does not always equate to “health”.
@Z7d3nR4
June 23, 2026 at 4:28 pm
@yutawt8636, by getting arrested for drugs, illegal gun possession, rape, murder, excesses of every variety… Nah, I don’t think those are healthy lifestyle choices.
Too many Americans focus on the fame and fortune of athletes at all levels. “Fan” is the root word for fanatic. Worshipping the sports gods is a religion. And likewise, such is the proverbial opium of the masses.
@worldbrotherhoodglobal
June 23, 2026 at 1:27 pm
We always hear that ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ but honestly, nobody talks about the permanent damage it leaves behind. Some bad days don’t teach you anything, they just steal your peace. Period.
@Z7d3nR4
June 23, 2026 at 4:30 pm
👍
What doesn’t make you stronger, will kill you.
@worldbrotherhoodglobal
June 23, 2026 at 4:35 pm
@Z7d3nR4 Spot on. That ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ line is the biggest lie ever told. Sometimes it just leaves you broken and carrying trauma you never asked for. Surviving shouldn’t be romanticized.
@LordDustinDeWynd1
June 23, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Howdy from Temple, Texas, USA!
@tomskordakis4020
June 23, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Awesome talk ! Thank you!
@Z7d3nR4
June 23, 2026 at 4:35 pm
So, what about the people who’s life and dreams don’t come in thirds? Perhaps they are getting it all wrong because of being focused on trying to live in the lower third of a utopia which has always been far beyond their ability to attain? Perhaps you could donate that watch to one of them.
@Avarice7D
June 23, 2026 at 4:46 pm
The bad days hurt. They can even kill you. but I appreciate the good days because they stand out boldly against the bad ones. Thank you for your experiences.❤️