Starting Up: Lessons from Failures, Restarts, and Resilience | Prince Thomas | TEDxIBS Pune
In this candid and motivating talk, Prince Sir shares his journey of repeatedly starting over from dreams of cricket, struggles with engineering, and the world of advertising, to failed startups, corporate stints, and finally building an innovative sports-tech company. Through stories of resilience, self-discovery, and bold decisions, he reveals why the first step to starting up is the hardest, how failures can be powerful teachers, and why fear of failure should never hold us back. Speaking directly to young dreamers, he urges them to embrace time as their safety net, find their true passion, and take that leap because the biggest risk is never starting at all. Prince Thomas is an ad man, marketer, and serial entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience across brand strategy, growth marketing, and product innovation. Having led impactful campaigns at Ogilvy & Mather, CreativeLand Asia, and as Head of Marketing at BankBazaar, Prince now serves as CEO and Co-Founder of MetaShot — a startup redefining cricket gaming through patented technology. Its flagship product, the MetaShot Smart Bat, mirrors real-world shots into a virtual game, delivering a console-quality experience. Featured on Shark Tank India Season 4 and backed by top investors, MetaShot is expanding globally under Prince’s leadership, inspiring innovation at the intersection of technology, sports, and entertainment. 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
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- 11:39How to be in the room | Maggie Beckett | TEDxMilton Keynes YouthIn high-stakes moments, many of us feel pressure to stay silent, to wait for the right moment, or to hope someone else speaks up. But what if the most powerful thing we can do is simply to be present, and to find our voice—even when unprepared?In this talk, Maggie Beckett explores the power of speaking up and challenges young leaders to own their place in decision-making spaces. She offers a compelling blueprint for stepping into these crucial moments with courage and clarity, and the importance of supporting those who do. This is a powerful call to action for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider looking in. Maggie Beckett is the Youth Mayor of Milton Keynes for the 2024–2025 term and a passionate advocate for youth engagement in politics. First elected to the MK Youth Cabinet in 2022, Maggie quickly rose to become Chair, leading its transition into the current Youth Council. She is committed to making political education more accessible and breaking down barriers between young people and decision-making spaces. As Youth Mayor, Maggie champions the voices of young people across Milton Keynes and serves as a representative on the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee of the MK Council. 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
- 7:43Searching: "AI Ethics" | Emmet Stitely | TEDxYouth@ChathamSophomore Emmet Stitely stands in his teen shoes, on the sidelines of the AI revolution, and wonders about the rules of this new technology. “All my friends are using it,” he says. “So should I?” At 16, Stitely sees the costs of asking a program to write a paper or solve his math problems. Using research and perspectives from both sides of this debate, Stitely explores the unprecedented time he and his classmates find themselves navigating. Emmet Stitely gave this talk as a sophomore at Chatham High School. He plays varsity volleyball and varsity soccer, as well as participates in a handful of school clubs. After seeing his soccer teammate do the TedX event, he knew it was what he wanted to do because of his passion for creative writing and public speaking. When Emmet is not playing a sport or grinding out homework, you can find him spending time with his close-knit friend group and lifeguarding at the pool. 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
- 9:18I Know Why Reading Builds Empathy | Cara Lynch | TEDxYouth@ChathamReading can have a profound impact on an individual’s perspective. When reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Cara Lynch found herself empathizing with Angelou’s difficult childhood and feelings of abandonment. As our world grows more and more polarized, she says, we need to strengthen our muscles of compassion and curiosity. Cara Lynch gave this talk as a sophomore at Chatham High School. She is passionate about helping those around her, and aspires to one day work in health care. Cara loves to share her compassion within the Chatham community; she does this by volunteering through the school's Key Club, serving as an assistant Stage Manager for the Middle School plays, and fundraising for various organizations with the Cougars Care Club. She is a varsity member of the CHS sailing team, where she acts as social media manager and will serve as Co-Captain next year. The daughter of two lawyers, Cara values the importance of public speaking.When she can find some free time, Cara enjoys hanging out with friends, going to the beach, and reading a good book. 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
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- 8:56The Secret Power of Saying You're Wrong | Luke Allison | TEDxYouth@ChathamWhen relationships get torn by angry words or misbehavior, repair is necessary. In fact, the courage to admit you’re wrong, contends Luke Allison, and attempt to repair the bond can strengthen it. Using research from Dr. Becky Kennedy, Luke describes a rageful moment he had as a new driver and the steps he took to own his behavior and get closer to his mom. Luke Allison is Chatham High School Junior, who is passionate about having strong close relationships in his life. He loves running, performing and spending time with his friends and family. When he has some alone time, he loves a good reality TV show or book. Since his freshman year, Luke has always wanted to do the TedX event and he is so grateful for this opportunity! 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
