The Story That’s Running Your Life | James Phillips | TEDxSwansea

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We are always living in reality, but that reality is being created from the inside out. At 17, after the sudden loss of his brother, James formed a quiet belief about himself that shaped his experience of life for years, influencing his relationships, confidence, and identity, even while succeeding on the outside. In this powerful TEDx talk, he explores how our thoughts, meanings, and stories don’t just describe our lives, they create the reality we experience. And when that’s seen clearly, a new beginning becomes possible. James has spent over 20 years supporting individuals through challenges and uncertainty, including more than 13 years as a Social Worker. His professional training in emotional regulation and leadership development is matched by lived experience. Life has not always unfolded gently. Loss, failure, bankruptcy, divorce, and prolonged self-doubt have all shaped James’s journey. Like many, he formed internal stories about who he was and what was possible, stories that once constrained rather than supported him. This curiosity now sits at the centre of his work. James explores how personal stories are formed, how they quietly influence behaviour and identity, and how unexamined meanings can hold people back. Through reflective dialogue and purposeful questioning, he helps individuals develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to choose more empowering narratives, personally and professionally. 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