This animation is part of the TED-Ed series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. [Poem by Andrea Gibson, directed by Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat, music by WORK PLAY WORK].

As a high school student, Andre couldn't afford the rental fees for music class, and his social anxiety was so bad that he couldn't look people in the eye. But overhearing a classmate beatboxing on a field trip would lead him to discover a passion he could pursue no matter his circumstances. In this talk, Andre tells his story of overcoming anxi...