By Emily Miller

REXBURG, Idaho—“Resilience” is the perfect theme for the twice-postponed TEDx Rexburg event coming to the Romance Theater next weekend. The event will feature local Rexburgians and speakers from across the country who are eager to share ideas they hope will benefit audience members personally and as a community. 

TEDx Rexburg is happening Saturday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. at the Romance Theater, 2 E. Main Street, Rexburg. Click here to see all the speakers, including locals Jenna Johnson, Dr. Seth Robins, and Calvin Krainock. Tickets are available here.

Johnson will speak on “Intentionally Choosing the Hard Climb,” combining her love for pushing her limits in outdoor recreation with her business savvy. 

Robins hopes to inspire audience members to make small changes for big results in his presentation, “This Talk Won’t Change Your Life.”

In the presentation, “You Are Not Your Trauma,” Krainock will share how he overcame being the victim of a sexual assault scandal at his high school, and how the trauma from that situation did not stop him from reaching his goals of being a college athlete and eventually a successful businessman. 

Other speakers include Dr. Russ Gaede on “Why Forgiveness Matters,” Clayton Poland on “Everyday Moments You’ll Never Regret,” Dr. Jason Karp on “How Running Like an Animal Makes us Human,” Marcy Axelrod on “The Power of Truly Showing Up,” and Rick Hansen on “What Surfing Taught Me About Leadership.”

TED is a non-profit organization that, since 1984, has gathered thinkers across the Technology, Entertainment, and Design industries, to share unique ideas with a goal of inspiring progress and innovation. Over the years, TED has been known to feature experts in education, media, social issues and more, with a reputation for engaging, high-quality presentations. 

More recently, the organization has expanded to offer TEDx programs across the country, where local organizers put on events so that more people can enjoy and be edified by inspiring and educational presentations. 

TEDx Rexburg began in 2015 with yearly events, but has had to postpone this program twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We chose that theme because we’ve been resilient in pushing forward to have this event,” said TEDx Rexburg organizer Maija-Liisa Adams. “Here in Rexburg, we have deep roots which help us be resilient and we have high winds which make us strong.”

Adams noted the program will also commemorate the 139th birthday of the City of Rexburg and will feature a performance from Rexburg’s own ProForm Airborne Jump Rope Team. 

TEDx Rexburg is looking for volunteers and sponsors for next year’s event. Those interested can get more information here.