In a world where everyone is busy defining us, “Decode Yourself” is about reclaiming our own identity. It’s about honoring the struggles, experiences, and values that shape who we are. For me, it reflects the belief that true success begins when we understand ourselves—our strengths, our flaws, our dreams—and transform them into purpose. Ujjwal Kumar Shriwastav, born into a modest middle-class family in Bihar, where dreams were often shaped by stability, not passion. My parents, both educated, hoped I’d become an officer — someone society listens to with respect. While I followed the conventional path of education and government exam preparation in Patna, my soul was pulled elsewhere. From childhood, I was encouraged to speak in English at school events — even before I knew the language. Those nervous speeches, those early applauses — they planted a seed of performance and storytelling in me. Despite being an average student, I was always seen as the “sharp one” in my village and family. But my true transformation began when I joined an English-speaking class — not for fluency, but where i discovered my stage presence. 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