The Muscle of Reinvention: Building on Past Identities
Rachel Cossar |
TEDxNortheasternU
• October 2020
What do you do when the unexpected happens? A former nationally ranked rhythmic gymnast and professional ballet dancer, Rachel Cossar first competed internationally on the Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastics team and then joined the Boston Ballet. She performed lead roles in front of audiences at the Boston Opera House, and stages across the globe over the course of a decade. In 2016 and at the age of 27, Rachel was forced to retire from her dancing career due to an ankle injury.
Transitioning into the unknown is something we all have to face in our lives. While it may seem we need to 'become someone different', Rachel discovered that her process of reinvention was about becoming more of who you are. It is a process built on the shoulders of past identities and often the biggest, scariest of changes, present the most formidable opportunities. Rachel used her mastery as a performer to coach leaders how to perform under pressure, connect with diverse audiences and leverage the full force of nonverbal and verbal communication skills. Rachel demonstrates that by allowing ourselves to amplify our past experiences in different industries, we can bring about even more positive impact than we ever may have thought possible.