Can a person overcome the most difficult moments of their life? Amy Downs shows how people can not only survive, but how they can thrive if they have a hopeful mindset. The pathway of hope leads to all people creating a better future. Amy Downs was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in which a total of 168 people were killed including 18 of her 33 co-workers. While buried alive and waiting to die, she realized she had never really lived. She began her career as a teller 32 years ago working for Federal Employees Credit Union located in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. At the time of the bombing, Downs was a credit card loan officer who flunked out of college and weighed more than 350 pounds. In the coming years, she’d not only lose 200 pounds, but become a triathlete—and even compete in an Ironman Triathlon. She’d not only go back to school, but she’d graduate with a Masters of Business Administration. She’d not only get promoted by Federal Employees Credit Union (who would soon change their name to Allegiance Credit Union) but she eventually became its CEO—an award winning CEO, no less. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx