The Strength Illusion: Why We Fear Vulnerability | Jessica Lovell | TEDxSHSU

We grow up believing strength means never breaking, never asking for help, and always having it together. In this talk, Jessica Lovell challenges this belief, drawing from her own journey from a survival-driven upbringing to executive leadership. Through personal stories, cultural reflections, and the science of the “Beautiful Mess Effect,” she reveals how the armor we wear – perfection, independence, and toughness – often keeps us disconnected. This talk invites the audience to see vulnerability not as a flaw, but as the bravest form of strength, and to consider the possibility that showing our cracks can be the very thing that connects us to others and changes our lives. Jessica Lovell is a senior banking executive, founder of Raevolution Speaking, and a first-generation college graduate who earned her BBA from Sam Houston State University in 2023, while balancing a demanding career and raising a family. Her career began at age 18 as a part-time bank teller, and over 27 years, she rose to become Senior Vice President and Director of Customer Experience. As the outgoing president of Financial Women in Texas, Lovell championed statewide initiatives to mentor and elevate women in finance. Today, she speaks nationally on resilience, authenticity, and redefining strength through vulnerability. 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