Carlos narra cómo lo que parecía un castigo en su adolescencia terminó convirtiéndose en el punto de partida de una vida con propósito. Desde pérdidas, fracasos y reinicios, hasta la construcción de proyectos en el altiplano guatemalteco, esta charla redefine la resiliencia como la capacidad de reconstruir con sentido. Carlos Castellanos promueve el turismo comunitario y la sostenibilidad en Guatemala. A través de Hacienda del Café, en Huehuetenango, lidera experiencias turísticas que involucran y empoderan a las comunidades locales. Su trabajo combina emprendimiento social, naturaleza e identidad local. En TEDx Quetzaltenango, compartirá una historia de resiliencia, cambio y transformación. Carlos Castellanos promotes community-based tourism and sustainability in Guatemala. Through Hacienda del Café in Huehuetenango, he leads tourism experiences that engage and empower communities. His work combines social entrepreneurship, nature, and local identity. At TEDx Quetzaltenango, he will share a story of resilience, change, and transformation. 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

Patriarchy is often framed as a problem that holds women back. The harder truth is this. It hurts everyone.Men, women, and entire systems are constrained by outdated power structures that reward control over collaboration and hierarchy over humanity. Now we are building artificial intelligence on top of those same systems.In this talk, Sajna Samad explores a question we can no longer avoid. If AI is learning from us, what exactly are we teaching it about power, bias, and value?From workplaces to algorithms, from leadership norms to data sets, AI is becoming the ultimate amplifier. It will either automate inequality at scale or help us dismantle it for good.This is not a talk about fearing AI. It is a call to take responsibility for it.Because what AI learns next is not inevitable. It is our choice. I’m Sajna Samad, a passionate life enthusiast, mother of twin boys, traveler, dancer, and reader who believes in embracing every moment and creating impact. With 18+ years at Cisco, Oracle, and Infosys, I discovered the secret to success—personal development and a Unique Selling Personality (USP). Recognized as a Leading Voice in Tech by Edge Middle East, I’m also a Women in Tech advocate, dedicated to enabling more women leaders in technology. I leverage these credentials to drive initiatives at Oracle Women’s Leadership UAE. I lead programs such as sAIdaty and She Leads Tech that empower women with leadership and AI skills. Beyond corporate impact, I serve on Amity University’s Advisory Board and deliver masterclasses on personal development and branding. My upcoming book, Are You the One?, decodes the habits of successful women leaders. 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

Radhika Bhandari is a dynamic aviation professional and academic leader currently serving as the Dean of Aviation at Indus University and Director of Western India Institute of Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd. (WIIA), India’s only women-led Aircraft Maintenance Engineering institute. With a background in Metallurgical Engineering and a postgraduate degree in Management from Warwick Business School, UK, she is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in aviation, aeronautics, and defense aerospace. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, rifle shooter, and horse rider, embodying a disciplined and creative lifestyle. Passionate about India’s intellectual legacy, she advocates for integrating traditional knowledge systems into modern education to create a more holistic and culturally rooted learning environment. Radhika Bhandari is a young aviation enthusiast at Indus University. She holds a degree in Metallurgical Engineering and a postgraduate qualification in Management from Warwick Business School, UK.She serves as the Dean of Aviation at Indus University and is the Director of Western India Institute of Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd. (WIIA) — India’s only women-led Aircraft Maintenance Engineering institute. Passionate about empowering women in aviation, she actively works to promote diversity and inclusion in the field of Aircraft maintenance, Aeronautics, Aerospace, and Defense Aerospace.A trained Bharatanatyam dancer, rifle shooter, and horse rider, Ms. Bhandari draws on these varied interests to cultivate discipline, creativity, and a balanced approach in her personal and professional life.She is deeply inspired by India’s intellectual heritage and strongly believes in restoring and integrating traditional knowledge systems into mainstream education to make it more holistic, globally relevant, and rooted in India’s civilizational values. 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

Saumya Joshi is a playwright and poet. He has written, directed and played a crucial role in plays like Welcome Zindagi, United States of Padani Pol, Oh Womaniya, Collection of Poems Greenroom ma. He won the national award for the lyrics and dialogues for the award winning film Hellaro. He is also the lyricist of the internationally popular Coke Studio song Khalasi (Gotilo) . Additionally, he is the writer of the OTT show Fadu released on Sony Liv. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in the writing of the 102 Not Out, starring Amitabh bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. Saumya joshi playwright poet director. Written and directed celebrated plays like welcome zindagi, 102 not out, United States of padani pol, oh womaniya . Collection of Poems Greenroom ma . Lyrics and dialogues for the national award winning film hellaro. Lyricist of the internationally popular coke studio song khalasi (gotilo) . Writer of the ott show fadu released on Sony liv . Writer of the film 102 not out starring Amitabh bachchan and Rishi Kapoor 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

Most women grow up believing they “can’t” do a pull-up — but the pull-up itself was never the real problem. In this TEDx talk, 6-time American Ninja Warrior and former biochemist Angela Gargano reveals how the pull-up becomes a metaphor for every hard thing we avoid in life: the dream we delay, the challenge we fear, the version of ourselves we stop reaching for.Through powerful stories of women in their 30s–70s, Angela dismantles the myths of “I’m too old,” “I’m too heavy,” and “I’m too weak,” showing how working toward an “impossible” skill rewires not just your body, but your beliefs.The pull-up isn’t just a strength goal — it’s a mirror for what’s possible when you choose courage over certainty, consistency over perfection, and conviction over confidence.Whether your “bar” is a literal bar or a life goal you’ve been scared to start, this talk will challenge what you think you’re capable of. Angela Gargano is a performance coach, keynote speaker, and 6-time American Ninja Warrior known for helping people redefine what’s possible. Her work on resilience, confidence, and women’s strength has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Women’s Health, and MindBodyGreen. A former biochemist turned athlete and entrepreneur, Angela has coached thousands of women through her signature pull-up method and speaks globally on courage, mindset, and the power of doing hard things. 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

NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and experiences in the military. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfThe Power of Thought explores how our thoughts shape our emotions, decisions, and ultimately our reality. Drawing from personal experiences and real-life observations, this talk highlights how conscious thinking can transform challenges into opportunities and limitations into strengths. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, positivity, and mental discipline in navigating life’s uncertainties. By understanding and directing the power of our thoughts, individuals can build resilience, gain clarity, and create meaningful change in both their personal and professional lives. Major Bhavna Chauhan is a former Indian Army officer who graduated as the top ranker from the Officers Training Academy. She served with excellence in the Army Corps of Engineers, earning recognition for her leadership and dedication before transitioning into the world of writing and creative expression.As the author of Where Girls Dare, she brings authenticity, depth, and lived military experience into compelling narratives that celebrate courage and challenge stereotypes. An architect by training and a sought-after motivational speaker, she is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and equal opportunity within the armed forces.Her journey—from the parade grounds to the literary stage—continues to inspire resilience, determination, and a fearless pursuit of purpose 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