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Listen to Dr. Charlie Teo speak for a few minutes and it’s clear that he’s taken more than a few calculated risks in his time. The celebrated Australian neurosurgeon has been as much shunned by his peers as adored by his patients and their families for one reason. He keeps pushing the boundaries.

At TedX Sydney 2015 Dr. Teo is no orphan on this front. An impressive range of speakers dot the lineup - all with the intention of inviting the audience to open their minds and challenge status quos in search of breakthroughs on a diverse range of topics.

Part of the beauty of TedX Sydney is that it first rejects the perception that the ‘innovation club’ is open only to the Mark Zuckerbergs and Steve Jobs among us. TedX’ers are more likely to be seeking to change notions of the environment and our fellow man, than they are in discussing the virtues of the latest update of Candy Crush.

Although the day’s speakers are not exclusively Australian, a theme soon emerges that identifies unique elements of our national identity that provide an ideal platform for innovation in the twenty-first century. Although some of our forefathers arrived in shackles, current generations approach the future unbound by rigid historical expectations whilst blessed with our roots in one of the earth’s most ancient cultures.

So how do we mere mortals disrupt and transform back in suburbia?

For many of us, the first step of this journey starts from within, and Indigenous actor Alec Doomadgee’s story proves that humble beginnings and a late start to formal education are no barriers to becoming a catalyst for change.  

Paralympian Dylan Alcott’s wheelchair crowdsurfing antics further inspire by clearly illustrating one man’s refusal to allow any limitation to dictate his life experience.

For myself, I’ve committed to following in future Charles Darwin’s Golden Rule, as shared by his great-grandson Chris, that we should “pay special attention to verifiable evidence that contradicts one of your beliefs”.

As for now, dabbling in TedX’s rebellious food menu of roasted crickets and ant butter seems like a great place to start.