This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. How does one person go from wanting to be a gangster to wanting to be a police officer? Ivan talks about making the leap from living the life he had to live to choosing the life he wants to live.


You can connect the dots by looking backward. Ivan shows us how looking back on his life and the events that brought him to the United States from El Salvador. At first glance things look pretty bad, but on reflection Ivan can see how they have pushed him to a positive place in his life.


About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)