In her TEDx talk, “Scars are What Make You Powerful,” Catherine Hampel invites us to reframe our understanding of personal struggles and traumas. Through her heartfelt narrative, she illustrates how our scars—both physical and emotional—shape our identity and strength. Hampel shares her own transformative journey, revealing that the challenges we’ve faced can become sources of empowerment rather than shame. She emphasizes the importance of embracing our vulnerabilities and using them as catalysts for growth and resilience. By adopting a mindset that views scars as symbols of survival and strength, we can foster deeper connections and inspire others to do the same. Her powerful message serves as a reminder that it is often our most profound scars that pave the way for personal power and healing in both ourselves and our communities. Join her in discovering how to own your story and embrace the beauty of imperfection.
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Author Video Description
What if your scars aren’t flaws to hide, but proof of your power? In this talk, Catherine Hampel dismantles the myth of perfection and shows how the marks of survival become your greatest weapon. Are you ready to wear your own scars? www.linkedin.com/in/catherinehampel
#TEDxSanDiego #TEDx #ScarPower #WearYourScars #Resilience #Cancer #BRCAGene, #Genetics Catherine is a healthcare leader, connector, and storyteller with 20+ years of experience transforming complex systems in academic medicine. As Chief Administrative Officer for UCLA Psychiatry and a 2024 Presidential Leadership Scholar, she brings heart and strategy to every space she leads.
She’s held senior leadership roles at UCLA, UCSD, and UPMC, taught health policy and management at UCLA, Pitt, and Cal State San Marcos. She has degrees from Carnegie Mellon and UCLA, where she also completed an administrative fellowship.
Her PLS project, Connecting Minds, is a peer support initiative for college-aged students navigating loneliness, trauma, or loss. Rooted in lived experience, it fosters healing, connection, and self-encouragement.
A Pittsburgh native turned California girl, she enjoys weightlifting, running, and is a proud mom of two. She believes commitment isn’t always about what you stand to gain, but sometimes what you’re prepared to lose. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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TEDx is an international community that organizes TED-style events anywhere and everywhere — celebrating locally-driven ideas and elevating them to a global stage. TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences, each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules.
Video “Scars are what make you powerful | Catherine Hampel | TEDxSan Diego Studio” was uploaded on 09/25/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks