Mind Control: How to win the war in your head | Owen Fitzpatrick | TEDxTallaght

In this age of propaganda, we find ourselves influenced not only by the voices of traditional and social media, but by our own inner voices. In this unique piece blending science and inspiration, Psychologist and Performance Poet, Owen Fitzpatrick, shares his own heartfelt journey through depression and low self-esteem. He describes the key to taking back control of our minds and winning the war in our heads.

Owen Fitzpatrick is a globetrotting Psychologist from Dublin, Ireland. He has travelled to more than 92 countries and delivered talks and courses in more than 27 countries helping them to understand more about how their brain works. Owen has a masters in Applied Psychology, had his own television show on RTE ONE for a couple of years and has spoken on stage with the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Seth Godin and Dr Richard Bandler.

He has presented lectures and talks in University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin and the Michael Smurfit Business School. Having travelled as far as countries such as North Korea, Rwanda and Afghanistan for his research, Owen has been fascinated with how propaganda, storytelling and influence works. Co-founder of the Irish Institute of NLP, Owen has spent many years working as a therapist and corporate trainer. A trained actor and screenwriter, he has specialised in the power of stories as a tool to influence.

[cecilshelby]

"when you're depressed you don't think negatively, you believe negatively"

[owenjf]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm sorry to those of you who found the rhyming distracting. My other videos on my youtube channel may be easier to make sense of. To those who found it embarrassing to watch, think how embarrassing it was to do!! ;) I also know 'struggling' and 'beating' the voice is just one possibility and you can also 'accept or choose peace', but different things work for different people. To those who found it helpful or useful at all, really glad it made even a bit of a difference... that was the point. I really appreciate your kind comments and sincerely hoped it connected with you.

[Lyndiebui]

I struggle with voices in my head, voices that aren't mine. I've gone crazy for 2 years and this video is a huge inspiration to me, I'm just glad someone understands.

[ryanc]

a true master psychologist with apparent skill in language and memory. its hard for anyone to give a tedtalk alone just from slides. was delightful to watch.

[FrederiqueMurphy]

Owen, what a very unique delivery. You surprised, educated, thought-provoked, entertained, charmed and enthralled the audience with your talk. Thank YOU.

[surajtheaxeman]

Great to hear Vincent Van Gogh for the first time

[ShareefusMaximus]

4 lines in and I'm like, "Is my dude rhyming?... his Ted X talk?" BALLS!

[panjitimor]

When negative thinking start in my mind i just said "Boys you are mine and I'm in charge here", just works

[broyouknow]

I took this video so personal,
Felt like you were in my head
For years I've consumed this personality
As if it was life's bread
No longer will I face adversity
That fills my life with dread
Now I will create a new reality
And throw away the one that's dead

Thanks Owen

[turquoise-flower]

I learned how to manage my mind years ago after sequels of depression and anxiety. I identified my pattern of thoughts as the problem. I learned with books how to teach and reset my mind and also developed my spirituality and those two things got me out of that dark hole. Now I can identify unhealthy thinking patterns and I know how to manage them. All this requires inner knowledge, patience, determination, and a lot of self love too. ❤

[Hydrogenagent]

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST ARTWORKS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!

[rarra]

This made me cry multiple times. Resonates with me deeply. To all of you who are struggling, you’re brave. Keep up the good work. Thank you Owen

[johnmulder]

Great 'talk' on the struggles in your head and how to overcome them. Simply love the way you did this poetic rap. Mesmerising. Thanks.

[danc]

Just came across this whilst going through my own "internal war"; it made me smile, it related, it helped. One of the best videos I've watched on the subject. Thank you Owen.

[jakem]

How the heck did he memorize this whole speech? This is amazing. So glad I came across this

[darcyglad]

I have often told people that I don't listen to music is because our brains are wired to accept the rhythms and rhymes as truth. The lyrics in songs become part of our thinking, that takes away from my ability to think for myself . That music can and dose hijack the mind. You have used this predilection of the human mind to resonate to the patterns in the music of speech very effectively. Not just your rapping but the rhyme you put to your reason. I will be watching this talk many more times as I fight my own battle with the bully in my head. Thank you for this valuable tool.

[nikmonem]

Wow, this is a very strong message, I dont think I have seen anyone put so much thought into how to create an entertaining, poetic, educational speech all at once and for 10 whole minutes! I take off my hat to you, it is inspirational.

[legomaestro]

Bars that break bars. For daaaays. Thank you for this Sir. Fitzpatrick. Holy. Holy. Frick yes.

[daig]

my mind tried to convince me today was a bad day yet I struggled thru it. Thank you, this is my confirmation that today was not a bad day. I made it thru it.

[hebahmuhammad]

God this touches a very sensitive nerve! The raging war in my head! The negative voice in my head, sometimes I feel like it's two separate worlds the one in my head n the one outside, and sometimes I just say to my self "God I just wish I could live outside my head, then I will see how beautiful the world is" !! It is really so tiring! But just remember it's just pointless meaningless bored voices that just want to say sth! We're not the voices in our heads! We're more beautiful, more free n more stronger! Thanks