Tessa Parry-Wingfield
Seeing clearly under pressure: Helping students manage overwhelm, reframe setbacks and stay steady when life feels challenging
As a student, it can feel as though there’s always someone smarter, more confident or more popular. Then there's the exam you’re sure you’ve failed. Challenging friendships. And the relentless whirlwind of social media, showing everyone else’s highlights and none of their hurdles. It’s easy to lose perspective; to focus on what’s going wrong, what you’re not good at, or who you’re not.
Three years ago, Tessa was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer and, within weeks, had her left eye removed. She now lives with monocular vision. A life-changing difference, that required rebuilding confidence, perspective and identity.
Since then, she has continued to work, write and speak publicly - including appearing on BBC Woman’s Hour, contributing to The Times and Stylist magazine and undertaking endurance challenges for charity.
Told with honesty, humour and warmth, this talk is not about cancer or eyes, but about how changing your perspective can alter the way we cope, perform and succeed.
Through Tessa’s story, students learn how to manage overwhelm, regain focus and stay steady when life feels wobbly.
What students walk away with:
- Why pressure can be channelled into clearer thinking
- How to rebuild focus & perspective when things feel overwhelming
- What it takes to adapt to life’s hurdles
Tessa Parry-Wingfield has spent over 25 years helping professionals communicate under pressure - from newsrooms to boardrooms and leadership teams.
A former journalist, media trainer and future TEDx speaker, she runs a communications consultancy helping people find the right words when it matters most.
After a life-changing eye cancer diagnosis that led to surgery at short notice, she experienced first-hand what it means overcome obstacles and turn overwhelm into an advantage.
Tessa can also speak about:
- Interview techniques
- Communicating in an AI world
- Thinking like a journalist
- Living with monocular vision
