Rugby World Cup winner and Olympian Heather Fisher discusses what identity means as a woman who looks and feels different.Under the scrutiny of world-class performance systems from the age of 16, her journey to self-discovery has been a bumpy one and rarely in her control.25 years on she finally feels able to be herself and is ready to share a whistlestop insight about into her story Birmingham-based Rugby World Cup winner and former GB bobsledder, Heather is an accomplished elite athlete, motivational speaker, LGBT advocate and media personality.After a difficult start in life and teenage struggles with anorexia , Heather quickly found she excelled in the sports arena. Breaking her back in four places in her late 20s left her in a full-body cast for 18 months and triggered alopecia which impacted her self-confidence and perception of herself. Never to be held down, she returned to win win the 2014 Rugby World Cup and four Six Nations, medalling at the Commonwealth Games and representing Team GB in the Olympic Games Rio 2016.Since retiring as an athlete, she has become an accomplished motivational speaker, MC an event host and has taken on a number of TV and radio opportunities. Building on her stint on Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins, she became a celebrity warrior on BBC survival show Go Hard or Go Home. Heather also does extensive charity work raising money for young people with autism and for those with alopecia. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way we live, work, and connect but in the process, it’s quietly reshaping us too. From the content we consume to the emotions we feel, AI increasingly influences our thoughts, choices, and even our sense of self.In this talk, Niveditha explores a pressing question: in a world driven by algorithms, what does it truly mean to be human? She argues that the real superpower in the age of AI isn’t faster computing or smarter machines it’s our humanity. Our empathy, creativity, and emotional depth are what set us apart, yet they are also what we risk losing if we surrender too much to technology.Her message is both a warning and a call to action: as AI grows more powerful, we must grow more aware. To thrive in the future, we don’t need to compete with machines we need to reclaim the very qualities that make us human. Niveditha Peddi is a brand strategist, serial entrepreneur, and founder of WOW! & Co — a strategy-led branding studio that helps experts and entrepreneurs build authentic authority using storytelling, emotional intelligence, and conscious AI. A Gold Medalist in MBA – Entrepreneurship and an IDEX Global Fellow, she has spent over a decade helping individuals and brands grow with both speed and soul. A certified Art of Living teacher and Jagriti Yatra alumna, she blends strategic thinking with inner clarity, having guided thousands through transformational workshops across India. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

With nearly two decades of experience across government, IT, and social impact, Archana Suresh has seen firsthand how abundance can coexist with emptiness. Drawing from personal moments of grief, lessons in family and failure, and her work with communities facing poverty amidst plenty, she unpacks what it truly means to seek fulfilment in today’s world. As the Director of Telangana Social Impact Group and Founder of Bring A Smile Foundation, Archana weaves together stories of inclusion, resilience, and purpose—reminding us that the way ahead lies not in having more, but in doing more that matters. Director of Telangana Social Impact Group (T-SIG) and TEDx speaker, Archana Suresh brings over 19 years of experience in government, IT, and banking. She founded the NGO Bring A Smile Foundation in 2012, with expertise in CSR, communications, program management, and branding. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

TV Property Legend Martin Roberts (of 'Homes under the Hammer' fame) shares his life lessons, behind the scenes anecdotes from 40 years in the media, and a series of recent events that changed his life forever....and that led him to his biggest challenge yet... Martin Roberts is one of the UK’s most respected Property, Travel, and Lifestyle TV presenters, best known as the long-time host of the BBC’s hit show Homes Under the Hammer, now in its 29th series with over 1,750 episodes. With a career spanning 40 years, Martin has appeared on BBC, ITV, Sky, and international networks, and was a regular presenter on ITV’s Wish You Were Here..? for 8 years. A leading property expert, he’s been a guest on BBC Breakfast, Sky News, and The Jeremy Vine Show, and runs his own property training business. He’s also the author of Making Money from Property, The Property Auction Guide, and The Villes children’s book series, including Sadsville, created in support of the NSPCC. Martin’s popularity soared after finishing 4th on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and he’s now documenting his latest project: restoring a pub in the Rhondda Valley. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Human life, like a plant, doesn’t just exist—unfolds, blooms, and thrives under the right conditions. But as more than two-thirds of humanity moves into cities by 2050, our urban landscapes, meant to shelter and empower us, often turn into spaces of inequality, risk, and suffering.In this moving TEDx talk, Shamanth takes us on a journey from the nurturing of a single plant to the complexities of modern cities. Through real stories of tragedy and resilience, and lessons from working across continents, they reveal the urgent need for cities to be connected, responsive, and adaptive. Shamanth is a Smart Cities Consultant and thought leader based in Singapore, bringing over 19 years of engineering experience in deploying transformative technologies across urban infrastructure—from buildings to streetscapes. Driven by a deep conviction that cities must be more than physical constructs, he envisions urban environments enriched with a digital fabric that reflects the soul and intelligence of the city. With a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic foresight, Shamanth pioneers frameworks that drive the transformation of cities into cognitive, people-centric ecosystems. His work is grounded in purposeful collaboration, engaging governments, industry stakeholders, and citizens to co-create resilient, responsive, and future-ready urban landscapes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

We live in a time when we’ve never had more ways to connect—likes, streaks, notifications, and endless group chats—yet many of us have never felt lonelier. Drawing from her own story of moving cities and struggling with digital dependence, Suhaani explores the Paradox of Plenty in our social lives: the illusion of connection created by constant online interaction, and the emptiness it often leaves behind. With honesty and clarity, she challenges us to rethink what real connection means, and shows how purpose, presence, and community can help us bridge the gap between being constantly reachable and truly understood. Suhaani Chopra is an 11th-grade student with a deep passion for learning and exploring new ideas. She has a strong love for science and math and enjoys diving into how these subjects help make sense of the world. Beyond the classroom, Suhaani is a national-level gymnast and an avid public speaker who thrives on sharing perspectives that spark meaningful conversations. In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball, creating art, watching shows, and spending time with her friends. With a love for both intellectual and creative pursuits, she seeks to connect with people across diverse experiences. Through TEDx, Suhaani hopes to inspire others, start important dialogues, and use this platform to share her ideas with the world. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx