I'm really glad to see a video like this shedding light on body image that isn't about females.

"But we're tried...and exhausted.....of trying to be something I'm not"

I love seeing poems about body image coming from guys. Not because it's good but because it needs to be seen. So many people think that body image issues are solely girls who think their too thin or too fat. But guys feel it too. If only I could tell myself what I would tell a boy who thought he was too big or too slim, that they're perfect whether they're thighs jiggle or their arms aren't lined with muscles. Girls are so often told that guys don't feel insecure and so they forget to tell their boyfriends, their brothers, their bestfriends that they're good looking. Girls are told that guys don't feel things like girls do, and it's wrong. More poetry like this should be out in the world. Kudos to these guys.

There is something so gorgeous about the rhythmic moves that go with poetry. Some part of the reason why I love when people dance to it instead of music. The words form the rhythm whereas music isn't there.

The whole time I'm watching this I'm thinking how good this is, how much I love both their body's and hair, and voices, and personalities, and how they act. That they're so funny and awesome. How attractive they are. Then listening to the poem, not understanding why they feel that way. But knowing how it feels and understanding why they feel that way. - I love this so much. Thank you for doing this and showing us.

I really can't believe the people who pick apart these beautiful performances with their own personal critiques. Slam poetry is mostly subjective, not everyone will relate or fully grasp their concepts because these concepts are derived from the poet's own experience. People need to stop jumping at the first flaw they find and appreciate the struggles people go through. The last thing we need is dwelling on the unimportant little bits.

I wish I could double-like this. Liking it just once doesn't seem like enough.

In my understanding, the message is self-acceptance: the transformation from feeling shame to feeling proud of your imperfections, from trying to be others to just be yourself. The pursuit of “beach body” symbolizes our craving for perfection. Striving for perfection is not inappropriate, just that feeling shame and self-hatred for “not being perfect” is just irrational and harmful.

How do write spoken word poetry like this? It's persuasive and funny,silly thought provoking, poetry and fun to listen ! And the performance is wow !!

this is so true! people try to be people that they are not. everyone is different, that is good because if everyone was the same. then there would be no YOU. Be your self don't be anybody else you are perfect just the way you are.

Mathew Mcconaugheeeey Beach Body!! .. Well done guys.. Well done!

I never thought I'd have a poem stuck in my head like a song!

👏👏👏👏💯 LOVED THIS SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!

That was pretty powerful!! I enjoyed that

never hurts to grow and become a better you

I got chills while watching this... Probably a ghost. No but really, this was very well written and well presented.

How very endearing these two guys are. Honest, funny, clever, heartfelt -- true poets.

Somehow people here seem to forget that TED also include Entertainment. Well folks, this is Entertainment, and Creativity.

You might want to look up the acronym again. But at any rate, this is educational. It's putting to light (and hopefully, subsequently discussion or at least thought) issues with body image and societal expectations thereof, and how it impacts people. They just chose to express these ideas in a different way. No less information was contained here, it was just presented differently. Arguably in a way leaving a more lasting impression.

Your body adapts to your life style, so if your life style consists of eating right and working out a lot it will adapt to it. Meaning you wont be fat or super skinny and weak.

Not everyone agrees with the message this video is giving, but hopefully most people do agree :3

I totally love this! Love love love!!

This video is perfect, i wouldn't change a single thing about it

Awesome!

You mean those who have. Remember kids, "has" is used for third person singular and "have", in this case, is for plural third person implied by "those who" used in the example above. :-)

I did this for my final exam in June in English, glad to come back and re watch it

For those who enjoy this type of thing I recommend watching. Marshall Davis Jones: "Touchscreen". Its one of my personal favorites.

that was unusual. makes a decent point, in an intereting way.

I Love This.

wow! just amazing. I loved that!

that thumbnail is just so persuasive.

The strong will do and point out valid complaints for future improvement, and the weak will complain over things they have failed to attempt to understand or in some cases lack the ability.

This only works to a certain extent. Body types vary, and those at either extreme don't need to be 'average' to be healthy (in fact it may well be unhealthy to try). Everyone can be healthy, but it's not possible for every single person to attain the shape our society pushes as 'ideal'.

whatever makes you happy... just remember ... sometimes the mind is the enemy of the body

This is beautiful.

fantastic performance! I loved it!

translation: Hello gentlemen I do not know if u have heard about P90X or not, but i have considered trying it out to get a beach body like many celebrities. I do feel comfortable about my body but look at these arms. They could use a little work. Right now I am eating poorly and feeling insecure. But I do not wish to be like this, I want to have a very finely tuned, athletic, muscular body. A body truly worthy of the beach to get of the very attractive young beach females.

In case everyone forgot, the E is for Entertainment. No one here looks "intellectual" by putting down a thought-provoking performance. If you wanted the Technology or Design, "spoken word" in the title should've been a hint. Wow..

My mind is telling me noooo, but my body, my body is telling me yeaaah...

Looks like people in the comments aren't into poetry. I personally thought it was well written and the presentation was interesting.

Yo the metaphors got me like 😁😁😁

Nice one lads! Thought provoking and demonstrates male self consciousness, since most of the focus is on women when it comes to eating disorders and body dysmorphia.

Sometimes you look great but you feel insecure :(

Seems like men, for the frst time, experience what women are experiencing since AGES! Since ages the value of a woman is mostly based on her looks and the value of a man on his achievements. So the problem of feeling pressured to look good is nothing new to women. So to these 2 guys i have to say "Welcome to a woman's world baby!" LOL

OMG this is soooooooooo good

got me lookin like a wet chocolate

This is good.

they speak the truth

Love my brothers, its always go hard or go home, URBAN WORD BABY!

Sharing! Ty

cool!

It's called poetry, son.

like a minivan with a tank on e. that's gold

Just be healthy!

I'm TRYNA get this beach body, but my stomach says NO NO NO

The E in TED stands for Entertainment just in case you thought having them was weird. But honestly that wasn't entertainment, just 2 dudes shouting.

my friend and i look like them #doppelgangers

Look up some Def Poetry or Poetry Slams; Spoken Word is a more theatrical approach to poetry. If your wtf was to what this Spoken Word consisted of; it was pretty much two guys, one of a heavier set build and one skinny, one blames slow metabolism the other fast; and the names they keep saying are men with muscle who are portrayed in media as "hot, sexy" so these mean are aiming to be them. The end is them realizing they are trying to be something they are not. Accepting themselves.

umm....im just gonna go ahead, and slowly walk back out of the room.

aaaaaaand what does this have to do with what this channel is for?

sounds like they are just listing things they could cut out of their life to become healthier

Healthy is beautiful :)

ok

Made it 4 seconds past the intro.

*Watches the start: Oh boy.....

So many people missed the point of this speech.

That's my lil brother!!! Follow him on twitter. @gabeslifeisreal

Never mind.... =(

LOL

Drama and poetry.. the real question is how you spelled that sentence not knowing what these people are doing. I would except that question from a martian or a 4 year old.

Or the biggest ally!

last.

lmao lmao

Umm...no

what the fuck am i watching?

First!

Wow. Is this what passes for the "E" part ("Education") at TED these days? Must be a slow, dull day.

why are these types of talks popular? I prefer straight forward talks. This is just clowning.

eat celery,

wtf did i just watch'

Why do you say that? Haven't you learn anything from this video?

dull show ...............Thanks God !

Eat more fresh unprocessed foods. Do basic 30 minute work outs every other day. Not hard to stay fit, even with 40 hour work weeks anyone can do it. The hard part is focusing on it and especially having the strong willpower to stay on task with your mission on getting a "fit body". And don't use excuses to quit, like most overweight people claim its their family genes when they don't realize the eat the same amounts their family provides to the rest. Eat less, walk more. It's that easy, no trick

Wtf is this?

This is sooo cringeworthy 😓

this was bad