NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for health advice. This talk contains a discussion of sexual abuse which may be upsetting to some viewers. This talk represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of trauma and health. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...

At the age of 32, Vivian Cobb started experiencing random, bizarre, and intense symptoms that doctors could not explain. She was finally diagnosed with Conversion Disorder. In this deeply personal talk, Vivian examines the history of the disorder, describes her experience living with this disorder while keeping it a secret and explores the emotional/physical connection that can ultimately define health and wellbeing. Vivian Cobb is a multipreneuer. She has an extensive range of entrepreneurial adventures under her belt. She co-owned with her first husband a successful video and film production company in Dallas, Texas for 12 years. Moving to Colorado and to the real estate industry, Vivian has owned her boutique real estate brokerage, Cobb Real Estate, in Colorado Springs for 20 years. Vivian’s latest passion is that of an emotions advocate, understanding how important it is to embrace emotions rather than hiding from them. This role evolved through the devastating loss of her second husband. Simultaneously, she lost her home, her money and her buying power. Vivian is on a mission to inspire others to deal with their emotions (not stuff or numb them) through any adversity present in the workplace or their personal lives. She has authored an adult coloring book, “Negativity Clouds Truth” and is currently writing her second book, “Playing In the Deep Work” due to be published by the end of 2022. 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