My goal for 2014 was to have at least one speaking opportunity. I achieved that by being selected to give an Ignite at Fitbloggin’14. In addition, I presented at the Your Weight Matters National Convention, and was a Patient Panelist at the Mayo Clinic Social Media Week. The Summer of Sarah, as I deemed it, was a whirlwind of activity highlighted by my appearance on the syndicated television show The Doctors.

So how could I improve upon what I had accomplished in 2014?

A TEDx Talk of course! And thankfully the university I attended, Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hosted a local TEDx event: TEDxNSU. The theme for 2015 was Perception and I immediately thought of how I could apply my story, my advocacy to the theme. With the help of a friend, whom I met at Fitbloggin, I focused my topic and my message and submitted my application.

I chose the title Breaking Bias as a hint at the popular television series Breaking Bad because perception was a key element in that plot. But overall because my message, my idea worth sharing, is that we must end the weight bias that exist in healthcare.