In his talk, Pushkal Mammula unpacks a common fear that holds us back, the fear of being judged. We imagine the world watching our every move, but in reality, people are too preoccupied with their insecurities to judge us. This “spotlight paradox” shows that we are far less judged than we believe. In his talk, Pushkal explains how fear of judgment keeps us trapped in comfort zones, costing us growth and opportunity. By embracing discomfort and remembering that most people are focused on themselves, we can start speaking up, stepping out, and reclaiming our potential. As Club President and Producer at TEDxOOBSchool, Pushkal embodies leadership and innovation. A passionate debater and event coordinator, he thrives at the intersection of technology, public speaking, and positive impact. His TEDx talk explores the paradox of fear, how the anxiety of judgment holds us back, even though others are too consumed by their own insecurities to truly judge us. With honesty and encouragement, he inspires audiences to step beyond comfort zones, embrace growth, and boldly be themselves. 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

A cantora amazonense Karen Francis cresceu ouvindo cantos e melodias de sua mãe moçambicana. Ela transformou essas sonoridades em sentimentos e sensações de conforto. Através do afrobeats, Karen se comunica com o público para demarcar a presença afrodiaspórica na Amazônia, para que as pessoas em situação migratória se sintam em casa, mesmo que em outras terras. Nascida em Maués, no interior do Amazonas, criada em Manaus e em Nova Olinda do Norte, hoje residindo em Belém, Pará, Karen Francis é uma das vozes mais promissoras do R&B e afrobeats brasileiros. Com raízes moçambicanas e brasileiras, sua música é uma rica mistura de ritmos e culturas. Seu álbum de estreia, "Anos Luz", lançado em 2023, a consolidou como uma das principais artistas da nova geração. Com letras que abordam temas como amor, identidade e ancestralidade, Karen conquistou o público e a crítica especializada. Além de se apresentar em grandes festivais como o Primavera Sound e o AFROPUNK, a cantora também foi selecionada para o programa YouTube Black Voices Music/ Fundo Vozes Negras. Sua trajetória é marcada por uma busca constante por autenticidade e por um som que representa a diversidade da música brasileira. 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: Please do not look to this talk for mental health advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal spiritual views and understanding of fetal development, mental health, and well-being. Several claims lack scientific support. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. 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.pdfRenuka shares her transformative journey from a high-achieving corporate professional to a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing. After facing personal mental health challenges, she recognized the stigma and silence surrounding the issue, especially in workplaces. She founded initiatives to create safe spaces for open dialogue, conducted awareness sessions, and developed tools for emotional resilience. Drawing on her corporate experience, she bridges the gap between mental health advocacy and organizational culture, emphasizing that empathy, active listening, and support systems are crucial. Her work inspires individuals and institutions to treat mental health with the same urgency as physical health. Nimai Pathshala is a pioneering online spiritual school founded by Srimati Renuka Goswami and guided by Sri Manmadhva Gaudeshwar Vaishnavacharya, Shri Pundrik Goswami Ji Maharaj. This school bridges ancient Vedic wisdom with modern life and fosters self-discovery, devotion, and inner transformation. Beyond education, it is a vibrant movement of seva, organizing weekly kirtans, free education for empowering underprivileged children at Go Seva and annual spiritual camps across India. Its holistic initiatives such as online yoga, meditation sessions, the Yamuna Clean Drive, and distribution drives promote community upliftment and conscious living. Through spiritual plays, podcasts, and the International Yoga Festival, Nimai Pathshala continues to inspire thousands. Recognized by TEDx and the United Nations, it stands as a beacon of spiritual learning, service, and unity inviting seekers worldwide to embrace knowledge and live a life of purpose and bhakti. 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: While some viewers may find this helpful as a complementary approach, please do not look to this talk as a substitute for medical advice. This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and understanding of movement and the brain. Research around exercise and disease prevention remains an ongoing field of study 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.pdfIn a fast-changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, humans must now, more than ever, unlock their full potential through enhanced cognitive performance and brain health. This talk explores the science of Neurofitness: how physical activity not only boosts memory, focus, and emotional resilience, but also physically reshapes the brain by increasing neuroplasticity, changes the anatomy of the brain, strengthening areas like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. JP Barea shares practical, science-based routines and insights on the minimum amount of exercise needed to improve brain function and thrive cognitively. JP Barea is an experienced physical educator, scholar (holding two specialized post-graduate degrees in School Management and Inclusive Education for Students with Physical Disabilities), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and coach passionate about the intersection of movement and cognitive development. With a background in sports science and extensive coaching experience, he has also served as an Athletic Director, overseeing and managing multiple sports programs throughout his career. He explores how physical activity enhances brain function, memory, and mental resilience. Stay tuned for Juan Pablo's TED talk: "Neurofitness: Exercising the Brain" 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

Professor Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas has a personal passion for animals & a professional passion for the power of technology. She came to Manchester to discuss how she brought these passions together and why the implications of her work for both animals and humans could be profound.Ilyena’s experiments show that animals are quite able and willing to use Internet technologies to interact with digital content, other animals and humans. Her work shows the amazing potential for how an ‘Internet for Animals’ could dramatically improve both human understanding of animal behaviour and overall animal welfare. Ilyena’s talk is an illustration of how the curiosity at the heart of academic exploration can lead us to unexpected places.Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas is a computer scientist and Lecturer at the University of Glasgow who creates interactive computer interfaces that enable animals to access the Internet, connect with each other, and control aspects of their environment. Pioneering the field of animal-computer interaction, her research explores how we can design technologies that not only serve animals but also reveal profound insights into their behaviour and cognition. Her work is regularly featured in the media, including The New York Times, New Scientist, and a Netflix documentary, bridging the worlds of technology and animal welfare.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

What if consciousness isn’t a mysterious aspect of the universe—but its very foundation? In this thought-provoking talk, a philosopher challenges conventional science and revives a bold, forgotten theory: that consciousness pervades all matter. From quarks to brains, could experience be woven into the fabric of reality itself? Prepare to question everything you thought you knew about the mind—and your place in the cosmos. Philip is a professor of philosophy at Durham University, UK. His research focuses on consciousness and the ultimate nature of reality. He's best known for defending panpsychism, the view that consciousness pervades the universe and is a fundamental feature of it. Philip has published many academic articles and written extensively for newspapers and magazines, including Scientific American, The Guardian, and Aeon. 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