Learning to Listen Past the External Noise to Hear Myself

Discover the inspiring journey of Paralympian and public speaker Mei Ichinose in this TEDxKyoto talk. Follow her path from seeking acceptance through world-class swimming to finding sustainable happiness within herself. Born with a congenital right arm deficiency, Ichinose began swimming at a young age and became the youngest swimmer in history to participate in the Asian Games at 13. Explore how she overcame societal perceptions of people with impairments, competing in eight events at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics. Learn about her transition from competitive swimming to modeling, acting, and public speaking, as well as her new focus on track and field training that prioritizes mental and physical health over competitive goals. Gain insights into creating a more inclusive and sustainable society for all through Ichinose's powerful personal story and experiences.