Is failure about falling short—or about never trying at all? In this candid and insightful talk, Sai Akhilesh Palakodeti shares how living with an extra thumb once made him painfully self-conscious, holding him back from opportunities and experiences. Over time, he discovered that our real stories live in an “invisible résumé” shaped not just by successes but by the courage to face what makes us different. His journey is a testament to how we can Fail Forward by redefining failure as inaction, not imperfection. Akhilesh Palakodeti is a Year 2 IBDP student at CHIREC International School where he studies Math, Physics, and Economics. He is deeply passionate about history, politics and sociology. When he’s not losing brain cells from studying chemistry, you can find him reading the Economist magazine, refreshing the CNN website page, or rewatching Modern Family. He is an avid reader, who enjoys high-tension discussions and varying perspectives. Akhilesh represented India as a member of the Indian Debate Squad in 2023 and is the winner and best novice speaker of the International Competition for Young Debaters hosted by the Cambridge Union. He thrives on critical questions, late-night discussions, and mildly alarming amounts of coffee. 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