An astronaut’s story of curiosity, perspective and change

In his TED Talk, astronaut Leland Melvin shares a powerful story of curiosity, resilience, and transformation. Growing up in Virginia, he was inspired more by role models like Arthur Ashe than the moon landing, as he didn’t see people who looked like him in space. Guided by his father’s hands-on lessons and his own deep curiosity, Melvin navigated a path from NFL aspirations to becoming a NASA astronaut, overcoming major setbacks including a career-ending football injury and a near-deafening accident during astronaut training. His time in space—viewing Earth without borders—profoundly shifted his perspective, reinforcing the importance of unity, representation, and environmental awareness. Melvin emphasizes the impact of storytelling and diverse role models in inspiring future generations, urging people to pursue their passions, learn from failures, and embrace the power of second chances to make meaningful change.