Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields asks one powerful question: When life says, “Now what?” how do you respond?

After a life-threatening crash at the Tokyo Olympic Games left him with broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and bleeding on four different parts of his brain, Connor woke up alone in a hospital bed, unsure if he would fully recover. Just days earlier, he had entered the Games as the top-ranked rider, chasing another medal.

In this gripping TEDxLasVegas talk, the three-time Olympian shares the three races that altered the course of his life: falling short in the 2012 Olympic final, becoming the first American to win Olympic BMX gold at the 2016 Rio Games, and surviving a devastating crash at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics that led to a traumatic brain injury and more than a year of rehabilitation.

What connects those moments is not just talent or training, but the choices he made in between.

As a 15-year-old, Connor wrote “Olympic Champion” on his parents’ garage wall after watching BMX debut in the Olympics. That declaration became a standard he would measure every decision against. After missing gold in London, he spent four years making disciplined daily choices that ultimately led to victory in Rio. And after Tokyo, that same mindset guided him through surgery, brain injury recovery, and relearning how to balance, drive, and speak.

From peak performance to traumatic brain injury recovery, Connor’s story is a powerful reminder that small, consistent decisions shape extraordinary outcomes.

Whether you are chasing a dream, facing failure, or rebuilding after adversity, this motivational TEDx talk will challenge you to consider your own answer to the question that defines every turning point:

Now what? Connor Fields is a three-time Olympian, two-time World Champion, and the first American to win Olympic BMX Gold. At the 2021 Tokyo Games, he suffered a severe crash resulting in life-threatening injuries, requiring extensive rehabilitation.

Connor emphasized focus on resilience and gained new appreciation for the importance of mental health through his recovery. He is now a keynote speaker, the host of PBS’s “Outdoor Nevada,” and an NBC sports BMX commentator. His inspiring story has been featured on The Today Show, Sports Illustrated, and in Vanity Fair.

Connor motivates audiences with his journey of recovery, peak performance strategies, and the powerful message emphasizing the importance of even the smallest decision. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Categories: Interviews, podcast, Video