Había una vez... | Dolores Avendaño | TEDxSanIsidro

Summary

This inspiring narrative follows a girl's journey from aspiring to illustrate children's books to becoming a renowned illustrator and long-distance runner. Despite initial rejections and discouragement, she persisted, eventually illustrating a book that was featured in a famous movie. Her love for adventure led her to compete in ultra-marathons, including a 243 km race in the Sahara and a 100 km race in Mongolia, overcoming numerous challenges and finishing with honors. Her story is a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance.

Takeaways

• 🌟 A girl dreamed of illustrating children's books before the internet era and studied Graphic Design as Illustration wasn't offered in her country.
• 🎓 She pursued further studies in Illustration abroad, specifically choosing a university with a focus on Fairy Tales, despite initially not getting in.
• 🔄 Persistence paid off as she was eventually admitted and began her studies, facing discouragement from professors who suggested she wasn't suited for Illustration.
• 🎨 Despite the challenges, she continued to develop her portfolio and after graduating, sought work in illustration, eventually landing her first book project in New York.
• 📚 Her first book project turned out to be part of a famous movie, showcasing the power of perseverance and talent.
• 🏃‍♀️ Alongside her career in illustration, she also pursued her dream of long-distance running, inspired by a love for adventure and sweets.
• 🏜️ She trained hard for a 243 km self-sufficiency race in the Sahara Desert, overcoming doubts from others and her own initial fears.
• 🥇 Her determination led her to not only complete the race but also to excel, finishing among the top runners and experiencing the adventure she craved.
• 🌏 After the Sahara, she continued to seek out and conquer new challenges, such as a 100 km race in the mountains of Mongolia, demonstrating adaptability and resilience.
• 💼 Financial setbacks and lost luggage couldn't deter her spirit, as she found support and generosity from others, reflecting the kindness in the running community.
• 🏆 Her story is one of continuous追梦, from illustrating books to running extreme races, showing that believing in oneself and one's dreams can lead to remarkable achievements.
• 🙌 She expressed deep gratitude to all those who supported her in making her dreams come true, highlighting the importance of a supportive network.

Q & A

What was the girl's dream before the Internet era?

The girl dreamed of illustrating children's books.

Why did she study Graphic Design instead of Illustration?

In her country, there was no Illustration major, so she studied Graphic Design.

Why did she decide to study Illustration abroad after graduation?

She wanted to create storybook illustrations and found a university offering Fairy Tales as a subject.

What was her initial experience with the university she chose for Illustration studies?

She was on the waiting list and was told she might not get in, but she persisted and eventually got accepted.

What discouragement did she face during her Illustration studies?

Two out of three professors recommended she study something else, and she was not part of the top group of students.

How did she cope with the discouragement and the hard work during her studies?

Despite the discouragement, she continued to study Illustration because of her dream to illustrate children's books.

What significant event happened after she graduated and started looking for work?

She got her first book illustration job at a significant publishing house in New York.

How did her career evolve after illustrating her first book?

Her first book was adapted into a famous movie, and she started working with publishers in her home country.

What was the unique challenge she faced when illustrating a book about a real story involving an American and a Russian?

She had to illustrate the book based on a real story of a journey from Ushuaia to the north coast of Alaska on horseback.

How did she fulfill her second dream of running long distances?

She joined a training group, trained hard, and eventually ran her first marathon and other long-distance races.

What was the turning point for her in the 243 km self-sufficiency race in the Sahara Desert?

She was inspired by a blind runner with a guide and changed her attitude, which led to her enjoying the race and improving her ranking.

What unexpected event happened during the race in Mongolia that affected her preparation?

Her luggage was lost in Beijing, leaving her with only a small handbag.

How did she overcome the fear of lightning during the race in Mongolia?

She recalled a documentary about lightning strike survivors who didn't remember the pain, which helped her to keep running.

What was the outcome of the race in Mongolia for her?

Despite the challenges, she won both the 42 km and 100 km women's categories.

What other adventures did she embark on after her success in the races?

She continued to live great adventures, running races in the Himalayas, participating in an expedition in the continental ice, and climbing in the Aconcagua region, as well as going to Antarctica and illustrating books worldwide.

What does she attribute her success and ability to fulfill her dreams to?

She attributes her success to the support of her teachers, coach, friends, sponsors, publishers, family, and her belief that her dreams were possible.