“The TEDx team would like to thank you for speaking at our event. You did a fantastic job. Everyone I spoke to said you were raw and inspiring. I also noticed that you were speaking to (name intentionally omitted). I don't know how much of his story he told to you, but he's a good friend and deals with issues every day that are incomprehensible to most. He's been searching for inspiration and peace for a long time but often refuses to trust strangers and closes himself off. When you said the line about the cancer coming back, which is exactly what he is dealing with, I saw him begin to shake slightly and he began hanging on to every word you spoke. You clearly struck a chord by your immense power to inspire others through uncomfortability and awkwardness. He approached me privately and told me that you made him incredibly uncomfortable with how raw you were. I laughed and said that's simply what you do best! He said that he was going to think about life for a while. You truly inspired at least one person today, if not the entire audience. Thank you again, and keep making people uncomfortable. It's magical.”
Seth, TEDx Marlboro HS
“Thank you for helping me to choose to live when I thought I couldn't (and when I sometimes still think I can't).”
Anonymous Student
“Hey Scott, So I basically just saw you talk for the 2nd time like 3 hours ago and you were just as amazing as the first time. So I was talking with Lisa and Rabbi as you were leaving, and I was too scared to tell you then, but you saved my life the first time I heard you speak and that was 3 years ago. Thank you so much.”
Elyse
“Thank you so much, Scott. Your talk touched me greatly and I will never forget what you said. Some of the stuff that you were talking about really hit home and now I know that I am really not alone. I am not the only one hiding from my parents and from my friends. I feel like i found something in your story that has made me stronger.”
Kayla
“I would like to let you know that our grade has changed since you came to talk with us. We have become much closer. You have opened our eyes and made us realize what it feels like to be called names and made fun of. People who may have not been friends are talking and hanging out. I think that we have realized that people are not always what they may seem, and even if people are different, they are still people and they deserve the same respect that we give everyone else.”
Gabbie Age 14
“Your story is sad, yet happy, and I hope you live to tell it for years to come. I just wanted to thank you for what you do and for your inspiration.”
Isaac, Age 14
“You have become a role model to me."
Caitlin, Age 16
“AIDS, Love and the Meaning of Life was so so beautiful. The speaker was amazing and spoke so lyrically and powerfully. He unearthed so many emotions and so much pain that he has experienced in his life but at the end really showed everyone how beautiful life is and we all are.”
Brown University IvyQ Student
“ Hi Scott, Firstly, we want to wish you a happy and healthy Jewish new year! Today in class we realized that it has been exactly a year since you came to our school. Looking back on our experience planning the event with you, it's crazy how large your impact was not only on our community, but ourselves. We still hear our peers talk about you, and the video of the tens of dozens of students hugging and thanking you after the assemblies continues to be our favorite memory with you. We want to thank you for helping us create real change in our school and for playing a large role in our personal growth through our junior year. As we go on to apply for colleges and prepare for the next stages of our lives, your message continues to resonate with us and guide us through our lives. For everything you've done for and with us, thank you for leaving a lasting impact on us that goes far beyond words. We hope you are doing fantastic, and who knows, maybe/hopefully our paths will cross again.”
Emily W. and Ryan M. – #IamEnough
“Hi Scott! After catching up with you, I went home to my roommate who kept asking about the talk. Once I started talking about it and you, she got so excited and interested and wanted to know every detail you said. She then googled you, watched your TED talk from last year and kept asking questions. When your TED talk ended she said "wait that was it???? I want to hear more!" She loved what you stand for and what you talk about. I was so happy to share your story with her (and she was upset she couldn't come tonight).I wanted to say again how wonderful it was to see you talk; it's a joy every time. While I was walking home, the song “Galileo” by the Indigo Girls was stuck in my head. One line from the chorus kept sticking with me "I call on the resting soul of Galileo, King of night vision, King of insight."Based on this line alone, you are the Galileo in my eyes. You are the king of insight because you are able to touch people no matter who they are, where they came from or where they are going. You have an undeniable talent of being able to connect with people through your story and lessons and have such amazing insights. Lots of Love,”
Talia
“Hey Scott!! I do not know if you remember me, but a few years back we met at a retreat for the American Red Cross camp. I met you with my best friend named Kelsey. I miss you so much and I want another copy of your book "If I Grow Up." I cannot find it; I know you gave Kelsey and I a free copy but I do not know where it is. Kelsey actually ending up passing away a few years ago. She died from a heroin overdose. Her parents asked me to do the Eulogy. I put you in it because she always said you changed her life. I know you changed mine. If you do not mind sending me a copy of "If I Grow Up” and the other one. Kelsey loved the other one! I miss her every waking moment of every day. Thank you for contacting me back.”
Ashley
“Your lecture made me think of a few times when I felt so alone and crying seemed like it would help, but I couldn't cry. I wanted that unbearable sensation of pain that happens when you cry. But it didn't happen. And the fact that I couldn't seemed to hurt more than anything. And I just wanted to tell you that I could relate to your story, it's not exactly the same, but I think it's pretty similar.”
Aaron, Age 15
“I wanted you to know it meant a lot to me that, during the end of your time with us, you took a minute or two to just look around the room at every single student. I cannot tell you how much it means to me knowing that hopefully you remembered MY face and remember your time with ME. It is a great way to show people visually that you DO care about them, even if it was just a few hours. I cannot even begin to tell you about how much you moved/touched my soul.”
Shaina, Age 15
“Thank you. You may have saved my life.”
Anonymous
“You are the only person I know that I can talk to about this. Everyone else acts like they could never get it. Thank you.”
Myeesha, Age 13
“I can truly say that you have changed Hendrix College for the better. You brought up issues that needed to be brought up and issues that had been tucked away. Your name has been floating around school and we would love to have back on our campus again. You are a special person to me and the rest of the campus.”
Mari T.
“Beta Theta Pi was thrilled to host Scott Fried at the fraternity house to discuss dating, relationships, and consent. We had a fantastic conversation about 'what it means to be a man' in the context of the Greek system and in our roles as leaders on Penn State's campus. Scott's story is incredibly thought-provoking & inspiring and we all took something away that will help us grow as young men. Beta Theta Pi thanks Scott for visiting us and for the crucial work that he does on college campuses across the country.”
Beta Theta Pi, Penn State University
“You impacted my life like no one has ever done. I feel like now I can be a better person and really think of what really matters in life.”
Haley, Age 14
“It's not just that you speak the truth that inspires me. It's that you are okay with the truth that inspires me!”
Alex, Age 16
“You make a difference. You get it: why people hurt inside. And you taught me how to love other people and myself. I wish you the best and i want you to know you are the most AMAZING person i have ever met. I will NEVER for get you Scott.”
Sarah, Age 14
“You might remember me. I am the boy who has the curly blonde hair and said "you changed the way I feel about HIV." Anyways, what I wanna say to you is that I felt completely different after you were done talking to us. I can't thank you more than I can put into words. You are a very loving person and I so very much appreciate you coming and talking to us about HIV and sex. Thank you so very much and remember that you changed the way I feel.”
Sam, Age 14
“I want to say thank you for helping my friends and me. You made it okay for me to cry. And something as simple as being able to cry has never felt so comfortable and okay before.”
Elanna, Age 17
“I don't think that anyone has touched my life like you.”
Alicia, Age 14
“I've gotten lots of speeches from adults before on how you shouldn't do this or that, but you are the first person that actually made me think.”
Amy, Age 16
“Now I am starting to realize just how important life is and I shouldn't waste what some people would do anything for. So I would just like to say thank you for sort of slapping me upside the head and getting me to think.”
Becca, Age 19