Theme: BREAK FREE

Join us at TEDxManitouSprings for BREAK FREE – a powerful event where visionary speakers and inspiring storytellers challenge boundaries, shatter limitations, and redefine possibilities. Dive into new perspectives, embrace transformation, and unlock the courage to break free from the status quo. Be part of a movement that dares to think beyond limits. This is more than just a talk – it’s a call to action.

Story Church
502 N Walnut St.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905
United States

Angela Giles Klocke

Trauma Recovery Speaker & Coach

Angela Giles Klocke is a dynamic speaker, writer, and coach passionate about trauma recovery, creativity, and personal empowerment. With a focus on domestic violence recovery and healing, she uses her platform to guide individuals through their journeys of finding their voices and reclaiming their stories. Angela’s work spans speaking, workshops, coaching, and podcasting, all infused with a trauma-informed approach that emphasizes storytelling, creativity, and hope. Based in Colorado Springs, Angela is driven by the belief in leading by example, encapsulated in her powerful tagline: "I'll go first."

Donna Santistevan

Certified Trauma Therapist, Professional Speaker, & Illuminator

Donna Santistevan is a certified trauma therapist who believes that every person has the capacity to heal from the things that broke them once. She has 24 years of experience in private practice. She has been blessed and humbled to work in psychiatric units and hospitals. She believes that each of us has the capacity to heal, no matter what. She is a mom to her two amazing children, Tanner and Sky Kovac, who are her heart.

Lizz Welch

CEO & Coach

Lizz brings more than 25 years of experience designing and delivering high impact locally-relevant development solutions. With more than a decade under her belt at iDE, the organization has doubled its impact, expanded its geographic presence, increased its investment in impact-minded social enterprises. An expert on gender empowerment, economic inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, finance, Lizz specializes in leading innovative multicultural teams that deliver economic and social impact. Lizz is a certified high performance coach and former Peace Corps volunteer. She serves on the board of Malnutrition Matters and serves as the vice chair for the Posner Center for International Development. She also serves on the boards of two social enterprises, Hydrologic (Cambodia) and Hilltribe Organics (Thailand).

Mel Thacker

DipABLM, Surgeon, Coach, Podcaster

Mel Thacker, MD, DipABLM is a double board certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat surgeon) and lifestyle medicine specialist, a surgeon coach, and podcaster. She resides in Massachusetts with her husband, their 2 children, and a feisty bunny named Daisy. When she is not doctoring or coaching, she can be found running marathons (she’s completed 20!).

Patrick Casale

AuDHD Speaker, Coach, Author

Patrick Casale is an AuDHD mental health therapist, Neurodivergent business coach, and Keynote Speaker who leads retreats, summits, and coaching programs, helping entrepreneurs work through impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and paralyzing perfectionism, while embracing their authenticity. He has coined the phrase, Doubt Yourself Do It Anyway™. He is the founder of All Things Private Practice LLC, and the host of the “All Things Private Practice Podcast, and the Divergent Conversations Podcast.” Patrick also owns a group psychotherapy practice in Asheville, NC.

Rohaan Zuberi

Purpose, Legacy, & Impact Coach | Data Analytics & AI Mentor

Rohaan Zuberi is a Data Analytics Team Lead, Mentor, and Life Coach with a mission to help 1 million people turn their ambitions into legacies that matter. With over a decade of experience and a Master’s in Technology Innovation Management, Rohaan blends his professional expertise with a passion for helping people grow in ways that impact their lives. He believes success isn’t just about achievements - it’s about leaving a lasting impact and guiding people to align their actions with what truly matters.

Sara Van Hecke

Singer-Songwriter

Freshly planted in the front range, Sara Van Hecke is making a name for herself in Colorado’s musical realm. Enchanted by Chicago’s vibrant music scene as a young singer-songwriter, Sara Van Hecke serenaded crowds in famed concert halls such as The House of Blues, The Bottom Lounge, and The Beat Kitchen. Bustling rooms fell silent carefully listening to her radically honest and personal songwriting. Sara Van Hecke has over 10 years of performing, songwriting and recording experience and draws inspiration from artists like Norah Jones, Brandi Carlile and Maggie Rogers. Sara’s original tunes are grounded yet dreamlike - weaving authentic moments with the curiosities of life.