In this TEDx talk Imla boldly explores how fear especially glossophobia, the fear of public speaking can hinder innovation. She reflects on her personal journey, battling anxiety and panic attacks triggered by speaking in public. Despite having ideas and resources, many hesitate to act due to fear of failure or rejection. Innovation, she argues, isn’t just about groundbreaking inventions but about overcoming internal barriers because by becoming self-aware and confronting our fears, we unlock our potential. She argues that greatest innovation isn’t a product; it’s the person you become when you choose courage over comfort and growth over avoidance. Imla is a gifted and well-rounded student whose creativity, intellect, and leadership have consistently set her apart. From a young age, she has shown a remarkable ability to balance academic excellence with artistic and extracurricular pursuits. At ten, she sold two original artworks at her school’s exhibition, and by twelve, she starred in Pinot the Musical, a French-language production staged at Alliance Française. She also illustrated a published children’s book now on sale at Amazon, at age twelve. Academically, Imla has maintained honour roll status since Year 7, consistently earning grades above 90%. She has held key leadership roles, including Class Captain, Vice Captain, and Deputy Head Girl in primary school, reflecting her reliability and ability to inspire peers. Her intellectual curiosity led her to compete in the Global Live Mental Maths Competition in the Grandmaster and Zenmaster categories, and to lead her team in the QAPS Sustainability Innovation Challenge in 2025. 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