when I was asked to talk at this TED talk about the theme charged for change
talk about the theme charged for change
talk about the theme charged for change I figured that they wanted me to discuss
I figured that they wanted me to discuss
I figured that they wanted me to discuss overcoming my fears because when I think
overcoming my fears because when I think
overcoming my fears because when I think about what I’m most scared of change is
about what I’m most scared of change is
about what I’m most scared of change is right up there with airplanes highways
right up there with airplanes highways
right up there with airplanes highways and public speaking so but I wanted to
and public speaking so but I wanted to
and public speaking so but I wanted to do this speech because it wasn’t going
do this speech because it wasn’t going
do this speech because it wasn’t going to be in front of a whole bunch of
to be in front of a whole bunch of
to be in front of a whole bunch of adults it was gonna be in front of kids
adults it was gonna be in front of kids
adults it was gonna be in front of kids and I knew that this was a speech that I
and I knew that this was a speech that I
and I knew that this was a speech that I wish someone gave me when I was your age
wish someone gave me when I was your age
wish someone gave me when I was your age when I was seven years old I remember
when I was seven years old I remember
when I was seven years old I remember walking through a department store with
walking through a department store with
walking through a department store with my mom and she looked back at me and
my mom and she looked back at me and
my mom and she looked back at me and it’s the first time I ever remember her
it’s the first time I ever remember her
it’s the first time I ever remember her asking me this
asking me this
asking me this she said Mikey what do you want to be
she said Mikey what do you want to be
she said Mikey what do you want to be when you grow up I didn’t even have to
when you grow up I didn’t even have to
when you grow up I didn’t even have to think about it I was like a rock star
think about it I was like a rock star
think about it I was like a rock star she looked at me with this look of
she looked at me with this look of
she looked at me with this look of concern and confusion and she was like
concern and confusion and she was like
concern and confusion and she was like oh I was like well you know the fans
oh I was like well you know the fans
oh I was like well you know the fans being up on stage I didn’t know how
being up on stage I didn’t know how
being up on stage I didn’t know how terrifying the stage thing would be um I
terrifying the stage thing would be um I
terrifying the stage thing would be um I just that was exactly what I wanted to
just that was exactly what I wanted to
just that was exactly what I wanted to be and I learned from her response to
be and I learned from her response to
be and I learned from her response to maybe answer that differently in the
maybe answer that differently in the
maybe answer that differently in the future I learned how to read people and
future I learned how to read people and
future I learned how to read people and I learned how to tailor my response to
I learned how to tailor my response to
I learned how to tailor my response to whoever was asking sure dad I want to be
whoever was asking sure dad I want to be
whoever was asking sure dad I want to be an engineer when I grow up yep I’m gonna
an engineer when I grow up yep I’m gonna
an engineer when I grow up yep I’m gonna be President of the United States I
be President of the United States I
be President of the United States I would love to be a priest Nana
hmm but the truth was as I got older
hmm but the truth was as I got older that question got more and more
that question got more and more
that question got more and more terrifying it got to the point when
terrifying it got to the point when
terrifying it got to the point when someone would ask me when I want to be
someone would ask me when I want to be
someone would ask me when I want to be when I grew up that I would clench up
when I grew up that I would clench up
when I grew up that I would clench up and I knew that the time was coming
and I knew that the time was coming
and I knew that the time was coming where I had to make that decision even
where I had to make that decision even
where I had to make that decision even asking me what I wanted to major in in
asking me what I wanted to major in in
asking me what I wanted to major in in college even asking me what college I
college even asking me what college I
college even asking me what college I wanted to go to I actually could not
wanted to go to I actually could not
wanted to go to I actually could not decide what college I wanted to go to I
decide what college I wanted to go to I
decide what college I wanted to go to I put housing deposits down on to
put housing deposits down on to
put housing deposits down on to universities I had roommates in two
universities I had roommates in two
universities I had roommates in two universities calling me and asking me to
universities calling me and asking me to
universities calling me and asking me to get things set up and I’m like haha I
get things set up and I’m like haha I
get things set up and I’m like haha I don’t even know which of the two of you
don’t even know which of the two of you
don’t even know which of the two of you I’m going to until August um
I’m going to until August um
I’m going to until August um and so it got really scary and I didn’t
and so it got really scary and I didn’t
and so it got really scary and I didn’t know that it was okay to be scared I
know that it was okay to be scared I
know that it was okay to be scared I spent 13 years of schooling working on
spent 13 years of schooling working on
spent 13 years of schooling working on building this boat and this was the boat
building this boat and this was the boat
building this boat and this was the boat that I was gonna put out on the Seas and
that I was gonna put out on the Seas and
that I was gonna put out on the Seas and I was gonna go out and explore I was
I was gonna go out and explore I was
I was gonna go out and explore I was gonna find a destination and I was gonna
gonna find a destination and I was gonna
gonna find a destination and I was gonna travel to that destination and I built a
travel to that destination and I built a
travel to that destination and I built a great boat I worked hard in high school
great boat I worked hard in high school
great boat I worked hard in high school I made sure that I had as many
I made sure that I had as many
I made sure that I had as many opportunities available to me as I could
opportunities available to me as I could
opportunities available to me as I could and just didn’t know which of the
and just didn’t know which of the
and just didn’t know which of the opportunities interested me most so I
opportunities interested me most so I
opportunities interested me most so I built this awesome sailboat and I looked
built this awesome sailboat and I looked
built this awesome sailboat and I looked at my grandfather and he was kind of one
at my grandfather and he was kind of one
at my grandfather and he was kind of one of my role models and he owned a small
of my role models and he owned a small
of my role models and he owned a small refrigeration business and that was his
refrigeration business and that was his
refrigeration business and that was his passion he learned how to take apart a
passion he learned how to take apart a
passion he learned how to take apart a refrigerator and put it back together
refrigerator and put it back together
refrigerator and put it back together when he was in the Navy and he came back
when he was in the Navy and he came back
when he was in the Navy and he came back from the Navy opens up this little shop
from the Navy opens up this little shop
from the Navy opens up this little shop and spent the next 50 years working at
and spent the next 50 years working at
and spent the next 50 years working at triple-a appliance and he seemed to love
triple-a appliance and he seemed to love
triple-a appliance and he seemed to love what he did and he got to the end of his
what he did and he got to the end of his
what he did and he got to the end of his life and it seemed like a life that was
life and it seemed like a life that was
life and it seemed like a life that was well lived and I thought that’s what I
well lived and I thought that’s what I
well lived and I thought that’s what I was supposed to do I needed to find my
was supposed to do I needed to find my
was supposed to do I needed to find my small appliance repair shop
small appliance repair shop
small appliance repair shop the unfortunate thing was I built this
the unfortunate thing was I built this
the unfortunate thing was I built this awesome boat and I forgot to put a
awesome boat and I forgot to put a
awesome boat and I forgot to put a steering wheel in it so I put my boat
steering wheel in it so I put my boat
steering wheel in it so I put my boat into the water as I I finally decided on
into the water as I I finally decided on
into the water as I I finally decided on college and um I was like great I don’t
college and um I was like great I don’t
college and um I was like great I don’t know where I’m supposed to go or how I’m
know where I’m supposed to go or how I’m
know where I’m supposed to go or how I’m supposed to get there so I was a
supposed to get there so I was a
supposed to get there so I was a business major that’s that was my first
business major that’s that was my first
business major that’s that was my first of four I don’t know why I was a
of four I don’t know why I was a
of four I don’t know why I was a business major I never took a business
business major I never took a business
business major I never took a business class I think I just picked something to
class I think I just picked something to
class I think I just picked something to pick something that was probably the
pick something that was probably the
pick something that was probably the response that gave most people smiles
response that gave most people smiles
response that gave most people smiles when they asked what he gonna major in
when they asked what he gonna major in
when they asked what he gonna major in business yep business I’m gonna major in
business yep business I’m gonna major in
business yep business I’m gonna major in business so I started as a businessman
business so I started as a businessman
business so I started as a businessman around my sophomore year I was in an
around my sophomore year I was in an
around my sophomore year I was in an accounting class and I remember sitting
accounting class and I remember sitting
accounting class and I remember sitting there going nope this is not for me nope
there going nope this is not for me nope
there going nope this is not for me nope I got to pick something else and at the
I got to pick something else and at the
I got to pick something else and at the time I took a class that was a general
time I took a class that was a general
time I took a class that was a general education class and it was called
education class and it was called
education class and it was called infectious diseases and disorders and
infectious diseases and disorders and
infectious diseases and disorders and something was sparked or finally enough
something was sparked or finally enough
something was sparked or finally enough I was like wow this is really
I was like wow this is really
I was like wow this is really interesting and everybody else in my
interesting and everybody else in my
interesting and everybody else in my class is like this kids a weirdo but I
class is like this kids a weirdo but I
class is like this kids a weirdo but I really loved it and so I went to talk to
really loved it and so I went to talk to
really loved it and so I went to talk to the professor and I said hey I really
the professor and I said hey I really
the professor and I said hey I really liked your class you know I think this
liked your class you know I think this
liked your class you know I think this is better fit for me than business she
is better fit for me than business she
is better fit for me than business she said maybe you should look into biology
said maybe you should look into biology
said maybe you should look into biology by the way this class won’t count for
by the way this class won’t count for
by the way this class won’t count for your major all right
your major all right
your major all right so I switched to biology I turned as
so I switched to biology I turned as
so I switched to biology I turned as best as I could the ship towards the
best as I could the ship towards the
best as I could the ship towards the idea of biology and that was met with
idea of biology and that was met with
idea of biology and that was met with happiness in my household because my
happiness in my household because my
happiness in my household because my parents said hey that’s great you gonna
parents said hey that’s great you gonna
parents said hey that’s great you gonna go into dentistry or medicine and I’m
go into dentistry or medicine and I’m
go into dentistry or medicine and I’m like yep yep that and so I was set on
like yep yep that and so I was set on
like yep yep that and so I was set on medical school and one of my cousin’s at
medical school and one of my cousin’s at
medical school and one of my cousin’s at the time was in medical school and she
the time was in medical school and she
the time was in medical school and she said Mike she said it’s tough it’s hard
said Mike she said it’s tough it’s hard
said Mike she said it’s tough it’s hard but you know what you’re gonna love it
but you know what you’re gonna love it
but you know what you’re gonna love it as long as you’re passionate about it
as long as you’re passionate about it
as long as you’re passionate about it what I like it
what I like it
what I like it I always that is that enough she’s like
I always that is that enough she’s like
I always that is that enough she’s like as long as you’re passionate wonderful
as long as you’re passionate wonderful
as long as you’re passionate wonderful all right so I was set for medical
all right so I was set for medical
all right so I was set for medical school until I took a seminar that was
school until I took a seminar that was
school until I took a seminar that was given by a bunch of different physicians
given by a bunch of different physicians
given by a bunch of different physicians who were in all different fields and so
who were in all different fields and so
who were in all different fields and so these physicians talked about their
these physicians talked about their
these physicians talked about their daily lives and I went to a hospital and
daily lives and I went to a hospital and
daily lives and I went to a hospital and I shadowed some physicians and I really
I shadowed some physicians and I really
I shadowed some physicians and I really got a better idea of what being a doctor
got a better idea of what being a doctor
got a better idea of what being a doctor was and I remember imagining my ship
was and I remember imagining my ship
was and I remember imagining my ship crashing against the shores of reality
crashing against the shores of reality
crashing against the shores of reality when I figured out that medicine it
when I figured out that medicine it
when I figured out that medicine it wasn’t gonna happen for me
wasn’t gonna happen for me
wasn’t gonna happen for me it wasn’t my passion still didn’t know
it wasn’t my passion still didn’t know
it wasn’t my passion still didn’t know what my passion was so I narrowed it
what my passion was so I narrowed it
what my passion was so I narrowed it down I was like alright what can you do
down I was like alright what can you do
down I was like alright what can you do with a bio major you can be a doctor so
with a bio major you can be a doctor so
with a bio major you can be a doctor so be a researcher I’ll go be a researcher
be a researcher I’ll go be a researcher
be a researcher I’ll go be a researcher so I got a job in a neuroscience lab it
so I got a job in a neuroscience lab it
so I got a job in a neuroscience lab it turns out I don’t have the personality
turns out I don’t have the personality
turns out I don’t have the personality for research I’m a little too talkative
for research I’m a little too talkative
for research I’m a little too talkative I also wasn’t really that charged up
I also wasn’t really that charged up
I also wasn’t really that charged up about what I was doing and so that
about what I was doing and so that
about what I was doing and so that didn’t work either and so I’m sitting
didn’t work either and so I’m sitting
didn’t work either and so I’m sitting there with my adviser and I’m a senior
there with my adviser and I’m a senior
there with my adviser and I’m a senior in college and my advisors like so what
in college and my advisors like so what
in college and my advisors like so what are you going to do when you grow up
are you going to do when you grow up
are you going to do when you grow up stop asking me that she’s like but you
stop asking me that she’s like but you
stop asking me that she’s like but you have to make a decision because you know
have to make a decision because you know
have to make a decision because you know you’re gonna have to get a job someday I
you’re gonna have to get a job someday I
you’re gonna have to get a job someday I know that
know that
know that so I’m sitting there thinking where’s my
so I’m sitting there thinking where’s my
so I’m sitting there thinking where’s my where’s my small appliance repair shop
where’s my small appliance repair shop
where’s my small appliance repair shop and I decided to go to law school
and I decided to go to law school
and I decided to go to law school because that’s what everyone with a bio
because that’s what everyone with a bio
because that’s what everyone with a bio major does and so I went to law school
major does and so I went to law school
major does and so I went to law school and I’m thinking what this is the
and I’m thinking what this is the
and I’m thinking what this is the business major again did you just people
business major again did you just people
business major again did you just people just say oh a lawyer that sounds good
just say oh a lawyer that sounds good
just say oh a lawyer that sounds good and so you just followed it idiot and so
and so you just followed it idiot and so
and so you just followed it idiot and so I started law school and I thought okay
I started law school and I thought okay
I started law school and I thought okay you know what
you know what
you know what this might not be the right choice but
this might not be the right choice but
this might not be the right choice but this is a choice you’re making a
this is a choice you’re making a
this is a choice you’re making a decision you are saying this is a career
decision you are saying this is a career
decision you are saying this is a career you are pointing your ship towards a
you are pointing your ship towards a
you are pointing your ship towards a career and at the end of the day at
career and at the end of the day at
career and at the end of the day at least you’re making a decision
least you’re making a decision
least you’re making a decision unfortunately the first day of law
unfortunately the first day of law
unfortunately the first day of law school came and it was me in law school
school came and it was me in law school
school came and it was me in law school my older daughter would probably put it
my older daughter would probably put it
my older daughter would probably put it this way me and law school went together
this way me and law school went together
this way me and law school went together like lemon juice and your eye and I felt
like lemon juice and your eye and I felt
like lemon juice and your eye and I felt like for three years every day of my
like for three years every day of my
like for three years every day of my life was pouring lemon juice into my
life was pouring lemon juice into my
life was pouring lemon juice into my eyes but you know what I stuck with it
eyes but you know what I stuck with it
eyes but you know what I stuck with it because I thought all right at this
because I thought all right at this
because I thought all right at this point if I change again someone’s gonna
point if I change again someone’s gonna
point if I change again someone’s gonna kill me and it’s probably gonna be my
kill me and it’s probably gonna be my
kill me and it’s probably gonna be my mom and so I thought you know what I’m
mom and so I thought you know what I’m
mom and so I thought you know what I’m gonna I’m gonna make this work I am
gonna I’m gonna make this work I am
gonna I’m gonna make this work I am going to maybe this is what passion is
going to maybe this is what passion is
going to maybe this is what passion is maybe passion is finally deciding on
maybe passion is finally deciding on
maybe passion is finally deciding on something and following it through and
something and following it through and
something and following it through and maybe you discover passion later in your
maybe you discover passion later in your
maybe you discover passion later in your life okay
life okay
life okay I can buy into that so I’m on my ship
I can buy into that so I’m on my ship
I can buy into that so I’m on my ship and I’m steering towards a life in law
and I’m steering towards a life in law
and I’m steering towards a life in law which was actually worse than Law School
which was actually worse than Law School
which was actually worse than Law School um and at some point I’m just like this
um and at some point I’m just like this
um and at some point I’m just like this is this doesn’t work there’s got to be
is this doesn’t work there’s got to be
is this doesn’t work there’s got to be something else and so my firm started a
something else and so my firm started a
something else and so my firm started a volunteer program where it was called
volunteer program where it was called
volunteer program where it was called Philadelphia reeds and they would bring
Philadelphia reeds and they would bring
Philadelphia reeds and they would bring in inner-city kids to the firm and
in inner-city kids to the firm and
in inner-city kids to the firm and lawyers would partner up with them and
lawyers would partner up with them and
lawyers would partner up with them and during the day Thursday afternoons we
during the day Thursday afternoons we
during the day Thursday afternoons we would get some time off and we would go
would get some time off and we would go
would get some time off and we would go and mentor these younger students help
and mentor these younger students help
and mentor these younger students help them with their reading skills talk to
them with their reading skills talk to
them with their reading skills talk to them give them someone to look up to
them give them someone to look up to
them give them someone to look up to that kind of thing and Thursday
that kind of thing and Thursday
that kind of thing and Thursday afternoon became the highlight of my
afternoon became the highlight of my
afternoon became the highlight of my week I looked forward to the idea of
week I looked forward to the idea of
week I looked forward to the idea of mentoring kids so much more than
mentoring kids so much more than
mentoring kids so much more than anything else in my life at the time I
anything else in my life at the time I
anything else in my life at the time I was also put on a medical team at my
was also put on a medical team at my
was also put on a medical team at my firm that we were trying to figure out
firm that we were trying to figure out
firm that we were trying to figure out you know whether or not
you know whether or not
you know whether or not Our client was a big drug company
Our client was a big drug company
Our client was a big drug company whether their drug was the proximate
whether their drug was the proximate
whether their drug was the proximate injury of these plaintiffs whether the
injury of these plaintiffs whether the
injury of these plaintiffs whether the drug was the proximate cause of these
drug was the proximate cause of these
drug was the proximate cause of these plaintiffs injuries and so we’re sifting
plaintiffs injuries and so we’re sifting
plaintiffs injuries and so we’re sifting through thousands of pages of medical
through thousands of pages of medical
through thousands of pages of medical records and it turns out not a lot of
records and it turns out not a lot of
records and it turns out not a lot of lawyers have bio degrees and so I got to
lawyers have bio degrees and so I got to
lawyers have bio degrees and so I got to teach them about anatomy and physiology
teach them about anatomy and physiology
teach them about anatomy and physiology I got to say hey here’s how the renal
I got to say hey here’s how the renal
I got to say hey here’s how the renal system and the circulatory system might
system and the circulatory system might
system and the circulatory system might come together and here’s how we can
come together and here’s how we can
come together and here’s how we can figure out whether or not this was the
figure out whether or not this was the
figure out whether or not this was the injury and something clicked and I
injury and something clicked and I
injury and something clicked and I realized I really really liked being
realized I really really liked being
realized I really really liked being back in biology and I really enjoyed
back in biology and I really enjoyed
back in biology and I really enjoyed teaching not lawyers but I enjoyed
teaching not lawyers but I enjoyed
teaching not lawyers but I enjoyed teaching and so I went back to get my
teaching and so I went back to get my
teaching and so I went back to get my masters in education at night while I
masters in education at night while I
masters in education at night while I was a lawyer and for the last five years
was a lawyer and for the last five years
was a lawyer and for the last five years finally learning to embrace change that
finally learning to embrace change that
finally learning to embrace change that it’s okay to change that it’s not a bad
it’s okay to change that it’s not a bad
it’s okay to change that it’s not a bad thing to constantly change for the last
thing to constantly change for the last
thing to constantly change for the last five years I have lived my passion every
five years I have lived my passion every
five years I have lived my passion every single day that I’ve been in the
single day that I’ve been in the
single day that I’ve been in the downtown STEM Academy
downtown STEM Academy
downtown STEM Academy no matter how tough the day is I
no matter how tough the day is I
no matter how tough the day is I understand what people say when they say
understand what people say when they say
understand what people say when they say finding your pet find your passion and
finding your pet find your passion and
finding your pet find your passion and you will never work a day in your life
you will never work a day in your life
you will never work a day in your life because that’s that’s how I feel
because that’s that’s how I feel
because that’s that’s how I feel and in teaching bio I’ve learned that
and in teaching bio I’ve learned that
and in teaching bio I’ve learned that there are people a lot more famous who
there are people a lot more famous who
there are people a lot more famous who have done a lot more than me
have done a lot more than me
have done a lot more than me whose path is kind of mirror mine and
whose path is kind of mirror mine and
whose path is kind of mirror mine and one of them is Johann Mendel and Johann
one of them is Johann Mendel and Johann
one of them is Johann Mendel and Johann Mendel grew up the poor son of a farmer
Mendel grew up the poor son of a farmer
Mendel grew up the poor son of a farmer he was the only son of the farmer so you
he was the only son of the farmer so you
he was the only son of the farmer so you know his life was gonna be farming and
know his life was gonna be farming and
know his life was gonna be farming and man does like yeah I like farming but
man does like yeah I like farming but
man does like yeah I like farming but Dad what do you think about me being
Dad what do you think about me being
Dad what do you think about me being teacher lofty profession and uh his
teacher lofty profession and uh his
teacher lofty profession and uh his dad’s like uh yeah we’re farming farming
dad’s like uh yeah we’re farming farming
dad’s like uh yeah we’re farming farming works too and he’s like no no I want to
works too and he’s like no no I want to
works too and he’s like no no I want to go off University of Vienna I’m gonna be
go off University of Vienna I’m gonna be
go off University of Vienna I’m gonna be a teacher it’s gonna be wonderful and
a teacher it’s gonna be wonderful and
a teacher it’s gonna be wonderful and his father’s like oh yeah we don’t have
his father’s like oh yeah we don’t have
his father’s like oh yeah we don’t have money anyway and his sisters like well I
money anyway and his sisters like well I
money anyway and his sisters like well I have a dowry
have a dowry
have a dowry I give you my dad that’s like you know
I give you my dad that’s like you know
I give you my dad that’s like you know they give money for taking the daughter
they give money for taking the daughter
they give money for taking the daughter old thing they she said I you take my
old thing they she said I you take my
old thing they she said I you take my dowry money go off and be a teacher and
dowry money go off and be a teacher and
dowry money go off and be a teacher and yo.hannes like alright and so he takes
yo.hannes like alright and so he takes
yo.hannes like alright and so he takes her money happily and he goes off and he
her money happily and he goes off and he
her money happily and he goes off and he becomes a teacher and he is now
becomes a teacher and he is now
becomes a teacher and he is now remembered as the world’s greatest
remembered as the world’s greatest
remembered as the world’s greatest teacher
mendel went off to the university sat
mendel went off to the university sat for his teaching certification exams and
for his teaching certification exams and
for his teaching certification exams and failed he built himself a big beautiful
failed he built himself a big beautiful
failed he built himself a big beautiful boat that sailed towards teaching only
boat that sailed towards teaching only
boat that sailed towards teaching only to be crushed by the tsunami of reality
to be crushed by the tsunami of reality
to be crushed by the tsunami of reality that he was not meant to be a teacher
that he was not meant to be a teacher
that he was not meant to be a teacher and Mendel was like no I’m not done yet
and Mendel was like no I’m not done yet
and Mendel was like no I’m not done yet still think this is what I’m meant to do
still think this is what I’m meant to do
still think this is what I’m meant to do but I need to pay my way through so now
but I need to pay my way through so now
but I need to pay my way through so now I’m going to join an abbey I’m gonna
I’m going to join an abbey I’m gonna
I’m going to join an abbey I’m gonna become a monk they’re like all right
become a monk they’re like all right
become a monk they’re like all right we’re gonna name your brother Gregor
we’re gonna name your brother Gregor
we’re gonna name your brother Gregor they’re gonna be Gregor Mendel and so
they’re gonna be Gregor Mendel and so
they’re gonna be Gregor Mendel and so Mendel becomes a monk and he gets back
Mendel becomes a monk and he gets back
Mendel becomes a monk and he gets back into something he liked from the
into something he liked from the
into something he liked from the beginning which was gardening farming it
beginning which was gardening farming it
beginning which was gardening farming it wasn’t his passion but he still liked it
wasn’t his passion but he still liked it
wasn’t his passion but he still liked it and so he starts a little garden outside
and so he starts a little garden outside
and so he starts a little garden outside of the Abbey he grows him some pea
of the Abbey he grows him some pea
of the Abbey he grows him some pea plants and he’s he’s excited about
plants and he’s he’s excited about
plants and he’s he’s excited about growing these people and he’s like look
growing these people and he’s like look
growing these people and he’s like look at that sometimes I take a small pea
at that sometimes I take a small pea
at that sometimes I take a small pea plant and a big pea plant and I get big
plant and a big pea plant and I get big
plant and a big pea plant and I get big pea plants he’s a wait a sec I take a
pea plants he’s a wait a sec I take a
pea plants he’s a wait a sec I take a small pea planted a big pea plan and I
small pea planted a big pea plan and I
small pea planted a big pea plan and I make big pea plants he’s like this flies
make big pea plants he’s like this flies
make big pea plants he’s like this flies in the face of everything we’re teaching
in the face of everything we’re teaching
in the face of everything we’re teaching in universities I may not be a teacher
in universities I may not be a teacher
in universities I may not be a teacher but I know things and I know that you
but I know things and I know that you
but I know things and I know that you tell me that when we take small pea
tell me that when we take small pea
tell me that when we take small pea plants and big pea plants that we make
plants and big pea plants that we make
plants and big pea plants that we make medium pea plants and that is clearly
medium pea plants and that is clearly
medium pea plants and that is clearly not true so give my Peas a chance so he
not true so give my Peas a chance so he
not true so give my Peas a chance so he runs through ten generations a hundred
runs through ten generations a hundred
runs through ten generations a hundred generations a thousand generations
generations a thousand generations
generations a thousand generations 10,000 generations of pea plants decades
10,000 generations of pea plants decades
10,000 generations of pea plants decades of work observations journals that he
of work observations journals that he
of work observations journals that he noted all of this in we remember Gregor
noted all of this in we remember Gregor
noted all of this in we remember Gregor Mendel not as a should have been farmer
Mendel not as a should have been farmer
Mendel not as a should have been farmer wanted to be teacher ended up being a
wanted to be teacher ended up being a
wanted to be teacher ended up being a monk we think about him as the father of
monk we think about him as the father of
monk we think about him as the father of modern genetics his contributions have
modern genetics his contributions have
modern genetics his contributions have changed the lives of billions of people
changed the lives of billions of people
changed the lives of billions of people for the better because his path wasn’t
for the better because his path wasn’t
for the better because his path wasn’t straight to a small appliance repair
straight to a small appliance repair
straight to a small appliance repair shop
shop
shop Charles Darwin another example a similar
Charles Darwin another example a similar
Charles Darwin another example a similar experience but vastly different boat
experience but vastly different boat
experience but vastly different boat because you see Charles Darwin grew up
because you see Charles Darwin grew up
because you see Charles Darwin grew up the wealthy son of a world-renowned
the wealthy son of a world-renowned
the wealthy son of a world-renowned physician and Charles Darwin’s father
physician and Charles Darwin’s father
physician and Charles Darwin’s father helped him build a big old gold boat and
helped him build a big old gold boat and
helped him build a big old gold boat and that was a beautiful gold boat and he
that was a beautiful gold boat and he
that was a beautiful gold boat and he put a nice steering wheel in lucky for
put a nice steering wheel in lucky for
put a nice steering wheel in lucky for Darwin except his dad didn’t let his
Darwin except his dad didn’t let his
Darwin except his dad didn’t let his steering wheel turn he put him in the
steering wheel turn he put him in the
steering wheel turn he put him in the boat and he said you are headed to the
boat and he said you are headed to the
boat and he said you are headed to the University of Edinburgh the best Medical
University of Edinburgh the best Medical
University of Edinburgh the best Medical School in the world at the time and you
School in the world at the time and you
School in the world at the time and you are going to become a world-renowned
are going to become a world-renowned
are going to become a world-renowned physician and Charles Darwin’s like yep
physician and Charles Darwin’s like yep
physician and Charles Darwin’s like yep dad I’m gonna be a doctor just like you
dad I’m gonna be a doctor just like you
dad I’m gonna be a doctor just like you and he gets to the University and he’s
and he gets to the University and he’s
and he gets to the University and he’s taking his medical school classes and
taking his medical school classes and
taking his medical school classes and it’s like me and accounting
it’s like me and accounting
it’s like me and accounting totally bored he’s like I got a seek out
totally bored he’s like I got a seek out
totally bored he’s like I got a seek out other options so he takes a class in
other options so he takes a class in
other options so he takes a class in taxidermy which is preservation of
taxidermy which is preservation of
taxidermy which is preservation of formerly alive organisms it’s kind of
formerly alive organisms it’s kind of
formerly alive organisms it’s kind of like making your own stuffed animals and
like making your own stuffed animals and
like making your own stuffed animals and he’s really interested in this and he he
he’s really interested in this and he he
he’s really interested in this and he he takes a class on that and he’s like oh
takes a class on that and he’s like oh
takes a class on that and he’s like oh this marine research over here he’s
this marine research over here he’s
this marine research over here he’s really cool and he’s interested in like
really cool and he’s interested in like
really cool and he’s interested in like how species change over time I’m gonna
how species change over time I’m gonna
how species change over time I’m gonna do this and his dad’s like hold on a
do this and his dad’s like hold on a
do this and his dad’s like hold on a second you weird taxidermy marine bye
second you weird taxidermy marine bye
second you weird taxidermy marine bye I’m gonna take you away from your
I’m gonna take you away from your
I’m gonna take you away from your stuffed animals and I’m taking you out
stuffed animals and I’m taking you out
stuffed animals and I’m taking you out of this University in you’re going to
of this University in you’re going to
of this University in you’re going to the University of Oxford and at Oxford
the University of Oxford and at Oxford
the University of Oxford and at Oxford you’re gonna study become a parson just
you’re gonna study become a parson just
you’re gonna study become a parson just kind of like a priest
kind of like a priest
kind of like a priest Darwin’s like all right turn my boat and
Darwin’s like all right turn my boat and
Darwin’s like all right turn my boat and there he’s like yeah this is about as
there he’s like yeah this is about as
there he’s like yeah this is about as much fun as medicine and so he thinks
much fun as medicine and so he thinks
much fun as medicine and so he thinks all right instead I am going to find
all right instead I am going to find
all right instead I am going to find things I like I’m gonna take a course in
things I like I’m gonna take a course in
things I like I’m gonna take a course in geology because I like to learn how
geology because I like to learn how
geology because I like to learn how births masses have changed over time and
births masses have changed over time and
births masses have changed over time and I’m going to get into the newest craze
I’m going to get into the newest craze
I’m going to get into the newest craze at the time which was beetle collecting
at the time which was beetle collecting
at the time which was beetle collecting of course and so he’s got you know all
of course and so he’s got you know all
of course and so he’s got you know all these different kind of beetles from all
these different kind of beetles from all
these different kind of beetles from all around the world he’s like look how
around the world he’s like look how
around the world he’s like look how different they are I’ll trade you my
different they are I’ll trade you my
different they are I’ll trade you my beetle for your beetle and just like the
beetle for your beetle and just like the
beetle for your beetle and just like the original beetles they rocked alright so
original beetles they rocked alright so
original beetles they rocked alright so he he learns all these things he likes
he he learns all these things he likes
he he learns all these things he likes and his buddy Robert Fitzroy comes along
and his buddy Robert Fitzroy comes along
and his buddy Robert Fitzroy comes along he goes hey do you want to take a little
he goes hey do you want to take a little
he goes hey do you want to take a little journey on a sea cruise with me and
journey on a sea cruise with me and
journey on a sea cruise with me and Darwin’s like yes sure get away from
Darwin’s like yes sure get away from
Darwin’s like yes sure get away from this parson education for a little while
this parson education for a little while
this parson education for a little while and so he takes the sea cruise all
and so he takes the sea cruise all
and so he takes the sea cruise all around the world and all along the way
around the world and all along the way
around the world and all along the way he’s collecting different specimens and
he’s collecting different specimens and
he’s collecting different specimens and he’s like oh I’m gonna get back to my
he’s like oh I’m gonna get back to my
he’s like oh I’m gonna get back to my taxidermy and I’m gonna make little
taxidermy and I’m gonna make little
taxidermy and I’m gonna make little stuffed animals and he’s down in his
stuffed animals and he’s down in his
stuffed animals and he’s down in his cabin you know playing with his little
cabin you know playing with his little
cabin you know playing with his little stuffed animals and he’s thinking cuz
stuffed animals and he’s thinking cuz
stuffed animals and he’s thinking cuz there’s a lot of time when you’re going
there’s a lot of time when you’re going
there’s a lot of time when you’re going port O’Call port to call and so he’s
port O’Call port to call and so he’s
port O’Call port to call and so he’s thinking about you know look at that
thinking about you know look at that
thinking about you know look at that this Finch from South America kind of
this Finch from South America kind of
this Finch from South America kind of looks like this Finch from the Galapagos
looks like this Finch from the Galapagos
looks like this Finch from the Galapagos and the Galapagos you know according to
and the Galapagos you know according to
and the Galapagos you know according to all of my research into geology the
all of my research into geology the
all of my research into geology the Galapagos is a new thing like centuries
Galapagos is a new thing like centuries
Galapagos is a new thing like centuries ago it wasn’t here so where’d the Finch
ago it wasn’t here so where’d the Finch
ago it wasn’t here so where’d the Finch come from South America so came over
come from South America so came over
come from South America so came over from South America to the Galapagos and
from South America to the Galapagos and
from South America to the Galapagos and then it changed it changed and Darwin
then it changed it changed and Darwin
then it changed it changed and Darwin made these observations and he realized
made these observations and he realized
made these observations and he realized that he discovered something profound
that he discovered something profound
that he discovered something profound that life species begin down one path
that life species begin down one path
that life species begin down one path and because the world changes the
and because the world changes the
and because the world changes the species has two options go extinct or
species has two options go extinct or
species has two options go extinct or adapt
adapt
adapt we look at Darwin now not as they should
we look at Darwin now not as they should
we look at Darwin now not as they should have been doctor wanted to be
have been doctor wanted to be
have been doctor wanted to be taxidermist oddly enough a sailor we
taxidermist oddly enough a sailor we
taxidermist oddly enough a sailor we look at him as the father of modern
look at him as the father of modern
look at him as the father of modern evolution and we look at how evolution
evolution and we look at how evolution
evolution and we look at how evolution has helped us understand better who we
has helped us understand better who we
has helped us understand better who we are and where we came from
Darwyn told us that life begins down a
Darwyn told us that life begins down a certain path and that to adapt to change
certain path and that to adapt to change
certain path and that to adapt to change we have to be open to doing so it’s kind
we have to be open to doing so it’s kind
we have to be open to doing so it’s kind of a profound message for me it reminds
of a profound message for me it reminds
of a profound message for me it reminds me of my other passion which is running
me of my other passion which is running
me of my other passion which is running running ‘he’s always been there for me
running ‘he’s always been there for me
running ‘he’s always been there for me every moment of my life that i haven’t
every moment of my life that i haven’t
every moment of my life that i haven’t liked i’ve been able to at least look at
liked i’ve been able to at least look at
liked i’ve been able to at least look at running as the one thing in my day that
running as the one thing in my day that
running as the one thing in my day that works and i will next week compete in my
works and i will next week compete in my
works and i will next week compete in my seventh marathon and training for a
seventh marathon and training for a
seventh marathon and training for a marathon requires ridiculously long
marathon requires ridiculously long
marathon requires ridiculously long training runs 15 17 20 miles and freak
training runs 15 17 20 miles and freak
training runs 15 17 20 miles and freak fortunately enough we live in
fortunately enough we live in
fortunately enough we live in southeastern pennsylvania which is a
southeastern pennsylvania which is a
southeastern pennsylvania which is a perfect place to go for runs cuz we’ve
perfect place to go for runs cuz we’ve
perfect place to go for runs cuz we’ve so many beautiful trails around here
so many beautiful trails around here
so many beautiful trails around here chester valley trail everybody ever gone
chester valley trail everybody ever gone
chester valley trail everybody ever gone on that one it’s really nice it’s
on that one it’s really nice it’s
on that one it’s really nice it’s runners paradise I mean it’s flat it’s
runners paradise I mean it’s flat it’s
runners paradise I mean it’s flat it’s paved it’s wide and there’s always
paved it’s wide and there’s always
paved it’s wide and there’s always people around there is no place I hate
people around there is no place I hate
people around there is no place I hate running more than Chester Valley trail
running more than Chester Valley trail
running more than Chester Valley trail and the reason is because for long
and the reason is because for long
and the reason is because for long stretches of it I can see exactly where
stretches of it I can see exactly where
stretches of it I can see exactly where I’m going I can see where I have to go
I’m going I can see where I have to go
I’m going I can see where I have to go and how long it’s going to take me last
and how long it’s going to take me last
and how long it’s going to take me last week I ran the can at square half
week I ran the can at square half
week I ran the can at square half marathon vastly different I had never
marathon vastly different I had never
marathon vastly different I had never run in can–it square before if you
run in can–it square before if you
run in can–it square before if you haven’t run there it is incredibly hilly
haven’t run there it is incredibly hilly
haven’t run there it is incredibly hilly and I didn’t know where I was going I
and I didn’t know where I was going I
and I didn’t know where I was going I didn’t know left right I didn’t know the
didn’t know left right I didn’t know the
didn’t know left right I didn’t know the challenges are the hills that were
challenges are the hills that were
challenges are the hills that were coming up every time I got to a hill I
coming up every time I got to a hill I
coming up every time I got to a hill I was like another one this is number 17
was like another one this is number 17
was like another one this is number 17 but I knew by then that by the time I
but I knew by then that by the time I
but I knew by then that by the time I got to the top of that hill that there
got to the top of that hill that there
got to the top of that hill that there was gonna be a glorious downhill and
was gonna be a glorious downhill and
was gonna be a glorious downhill and that was gonna feel good and I think
that was gonna feel good and I think
that was gonna feel good and I think about that in my life and how embracing
about that in my life and how embracing
about that in my life and how embracing change and understanding that the more
change and understanding that the more
change and understanding that the more I’m willing to turn left or turn right
I’m willing to turn left or turn right
I’m willing to turn left or turn right and take on that challenge how that has
and take on that challenge how that has
and take on that challenge how that has helped me discover what my passion is
helped me discover what my passion is
helped me discover what my passion is and to learn to enjoy the run
and to learn to enjoy the run
and to learn to enjoy the run thank you
”
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