Respirar... es más fácil sin disfraz | Fela Domínguez | TEDxJardinDeLosPalacios

Fela Domínguez begins by recounting a traumatic panic attack during a performance as Nala in The Lion King at age 25 in Mexico City. Unable to breathe due to overwhelming stage fright, she forced the theater to stop the show, leading to deep shame and self-doubt. This incident marked the beginning of years of panic attacks and fear that dominated her life. She describes how constant self-criticism and the fear of disappointing herself created a mental prison where mistakes became judgments but achievements were quickly forgotten. As a naturally sensitive person in the competitive artistic world, she learned to hide her true nature behind emotional masks to survive, but these disguises eventually became indistinguishable from her real identity. Her body eventually rebelled with extreme fatigue that no amount of applause could cure. The turning point came through mountain climbing, which she discovered while living in the Canary Islands. When she returned to Mexico, she joined a climbing group and was invited to attempt Pico de Orizaba, Mexico's highest peak at 5,636 meters. Her first attempt failed due to poor preparation and the emotional baggage she carried. However, she realized she couldn't give up on something she hadn't properly attempted. On her second climb a month later, she focused on enjoying the process rather than achieving perfection. She discovered that doing things with love, rather than control and perfectionism, was the key to overcoming fear. When she finally reached the summit, she understood that courage isn't about being fearless but about having a purpose that calms fear. This experience made her question why she could be brave on a dangerous mountain but felt vulnerable sharing her music. She concludes by performing an original song about overcoming fear and shares that she now chooses to live by faith rather than fear, recognizing that both ask us to believe in something unseen.