In “Gifted, But Not Invincible,” Evie Tinkham delivers a poignant TEDxYouth talk that challenges the societal perceptions of being gifted. She shares her personal journey, highlighting that while gifted individuals often excel academically and creatively, they also grapple with unique pressures and challenges. Tinkham emphasizes the importance of recognizing that intelligence does not equate to invincibility; gifted individuals face self-doubt, anxiety, and the burden of expectations. Through her heartfelt narrative, she encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability and foster resilience. Tinkham advocates for a supportive environment where all students can thrive, regardless of their perceived abilities. Her insights resonate deeply, reminding us that recognizing our limitations can lead to growth and empowerment. This powerful talk aims to inspire both gifted individuals and the broader community to redefine success and value the richness of diverse experiences.
Watch the video by TEDxTalks
Author Video Description
Evie tells the story of how they learned that their intelligence had nothing to do with being “gifted.” Evie is a junior at the Dayton Regional STEM School. They like to be expressive with every variable of their appearance. They’ve conquered a lot in their life and are in a place in their journey that they are comfortable
enough to talk about it. 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
About TEDxTalks
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 “Gifted, But Not Invincible | Evie Tinkham | TEDxYouth@Dayton” was uploaded on 04/21/2025 to Youtube Channel TEDx Talks