Ideas worth spreading

Lessons from losing my mind

1,338,231 views |

Andy Dunn |

TED2023

• April 2023

Neurodiversity and innovation often go hand in hand, but does that mean visionary entrepreneurs get a free pass to say and do anything they want? Bonobos founder and mental health advocate Andy Dunn shares his experience navigating bipolar I in the midst of running a successful startup, offering lessons learned on his journey to wellness and steps to create a future where everyone is able to "dream crazy dreams" -- while being held accountable.

Neurodiversity and innovation often go hand in hand, but does that mean visionary entrepreneurs get a free pass to say and do anything they want? Bonobos founder and mental health advocate Andy Dunn shares his experience navigating bipolar I in the midst of running a successful startup, offering lessons learned on his journey to wellness and steps to create a future where everyone is able to "dream crazy dreams" -- while being held accountable.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

The Be There Certificate helps all of us learn how to support someone struggling with their mental health.

Pie is Andy's new app, whose goal is to end social isolation. Its motto is “more social, less media.”

About the speaker

Andy Dunn

Mental health truth-teller

See speaker profile

Andy Dunn redefined retail with the success of the digitally native menswear brand Bonobos. Now he wants to change the way we think about entrepreneurship and mental health.

Project Healthy Minds, 2021 | Explore

Project Healthy Minds

A new nonprofit to help anyone navigating the maze of mental health.

Andy Dunn | Substack | Explore

Andy’s newsletter at the intersection of leadership and mental health.

Kay Redfield Jamison | Vintage, 1996 | Book

An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness

Kay Redfield Jamison wrote the original memoir on manic depression. Here is her story.

Learn more

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

The Be There Certificate helps all of us learn how to support someone struggling with their mental health.

Pie is Andy's new app, whose goal is to end social isolation. Its motto is “more social, less media.”