As a preface to our October 5th event, join us for two TEDxCapeMay “Salon” presentations at Atlantic Cape Community College on August 21 and September 21, at 5:30 pm. Salon tickets are $10 and include a $10 discount on the October 5th event.
Ryan Benz: Why Being Yourself Takes Courage—and How to Find It
In a world full of noise, comparison, and pressure, being yourself has never been harder—or more necessary. In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Ryan Benz reveals a trail-tested truth: authenticity isn’t something you find—it’s something you practice—and it takes courage every step of the way. Through lessons learned on a 2,000-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail, he challenges all of us to slow down, reconnect to who we are, and start walking the path that’s truly our own—so we can live and lead with greater clarity, courage, and connection. Are you ready to hike your own hike?
Ryan Benz is a speaker, author, and authenticity strategist who helps individuals and teams reconnect to who they truly are—so they can walk their own path, build resilience, and inspire growth in life and work. Before redefining his life’s direction, Ryan spent over a decade working as a brand strategist in the corporate world, helping companies uncover what made them unique. It wasn’t until his personal life began to unravel—prompting him to step away from his career and everything familiar—that he realized: the most important brand you’ll ever build is the one inside yourself.
Drawing on certifications in mindfulness, nature therapy, yoga, and life coaching, alongside lessons learned on a 2,000-mile journey along the Appalachian Trail, Ryan now shares trail-tested insights in self-discovery, resilience, and authentic leadership through his award-winning memoir Wander, keynote talks, and workshops for audiences of all ages. His work invites people to slow down, tune back into themselves, and lead lives of greater clarity, courage, and connection. Learn more at www.ryanbenz.com.
Louis Bezich: Unleash Your Emotional Force to Live Healthy and Happy
There is an emotional force within us all with incredible power to conquer one of the greatest challenges to our health and happiness, changing behavior. This TEDx Talk reveals how a merger of science and humanity offers a new model for anyone looking to enrich their lives, and a nation struggling to close a growing gap between its lifespan and healthspan.
An executive for over 40 years in the public and private sectors, Bezich currently serves as Senior Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer with Cooper University Health Care and is an adjunct professor in the Graduate Department of Public Policy and Administration at the Camden Campus of Rutgers University. He also sits on various public and non-profit boards, including the Coriell Institute for Medical Research.
Bezich is the author of Crack The Code: 10 Proven Secrets that Motivate Healthy Behavior and Inspire Fulfillment in Men Over 50, and a forthcoming book Living A Kick-Ass Life. He is a contributing author to Corporate Lawbreaking and Interactive Compliance, edited by Jay A. Sigler and Joseph E. Murphy, a contributing writer on men’s health for PhillyVoice.com, and a regular guest on the video podcast This Is It TV with Cheldin Bartlatt Rumer.
Bezich holds a master’s degree in public policy from Rutgers University, a bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Tampa, and a graduate of Harvard University’s Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government. He resides in Haddon Township, NJ, with his wife Maria, has two adult sons, Anthony and Stephen, and two grandchildren, Luca and Brayleigh.