Don't Go Back to Sleep: Vic Strecher on Purpose, Grief, and Transcendence

Coming out of the pandemic, many of us are re-entering the world physically—but still feel mentally confined. In this moving TEDx Talk, Dr. Vic Strecher invites us to look inward, reconnect with what matters most, and begin again with intention.

Born from his own heartbreak, this talk is part science, part soul-searching. And it leaves you with a question: what’s your purpose now?

The Closed Drawbridge

We all have an ego—a mental immune system that keeps us safe. But when the drawbridge stays closed too long, we lose perspective. Over the last few years, fear, stress, media echo chambers, and grief have tightened those gates.

Vic shares how his own drawbridge slammed shut when his daughter Julia died at 19. Grief engulfed him. He numbed out. He pushed people away. But then, something cracked through—a poem by Rumi: “The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.”

A Turning Point on the Water

On a cold morning by Lake Michigan, Vic paddled out into still water, unsure whether he wanted to come back. But as the sun rose, something shifted. He felt Julia’s presence—and a message: get over this. Not in the dismissive sense. But in the spiritual one: rise above the pain, see clearly, start again.

That moment became a turning point. He returned to the University of Michigan with a new commitment: to teach every student as if they were his own daughter. To shift his focus from death and disease to life and wellbeing. To reframe health around purpose.

From Grief to Research

Vic dove into philosophy and neuroscience. He partnered with researchers to explore how reflecting on one’s core values affects the brain. Their studies revealed that when people think about their purpose:

• The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC)—the part of the brain tied to identity—lights up.
• The amygdala—where fear and threat live—gets quieter.

In other words, thinking about purpose makes us more future-focused, less reactive, and more capable of change.

The Benefits of Purpose

Across research studies, a clear pattern emerges: people with a strong sense of purpose tend to:

• Use healthier coping strategies (nature, connection, rituals)
• Engage in behaviors that support their energy and wellbeing
• Show less inflammation and more antiviral gene expression
• Feel more open to diversity and difference

Even short reflections on purpose can make people more likely to choose inclusivity, seek out meaningful goals, and support others.

The Call to Transcend

This talk isn’t about lofty ideals—it’s about what gets you out of bed. It’s about asking:

• What matters most to me?
• Who relies on me?
• How do I want to be remembered?

It’s about transcending your own ego, your grief, your isolation—and finding others who are doing the same.

Watch the Talk and Stay Awake

Watch Vic Strecher’s TEDx Talk →

Don’t go back to sleep. Not after what you’ve been through. Not with so much still to do.

This talk—like Purposeful and Vic’s work with Kumanu—is part of a movement to help people live with more meaning, more clarity, and more connection. For those ready to wake up, the path is here.