Adham Moussa, founder of Diet and Cheat, steps out from behind the “Captain Asser” persona to share a deeply personal story one that challenges a generation to rethink the value of formal education versus following passion.
Growing up as the youngest in his family, Adham once set his sights on the military to prove his strength. Life, however, led him to study computer science. Though it wasn't his first choice, he embraced it and excelled.
His journey into fitness began as a personal challenge building discipline, confidence, and growth. What started in the gym became a full transformation and later, a business. Yet despite his success, he returned to university, not out of necessity, but to truly understand the field behind his work.
This talk isn’t just about motivation ,it’s about questioning your path, making bold pivots, and embracing lifelong learning. Adham's story proves that success isn’t always a straight line.
Adham Moussa founded and licensed his business in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates after leaving the military. Today, it is a global enterprise and a market leader in the fitness sector, helping people all over the world reach their objectives and improve their quality of life.
Building self-discipline and resilience, as well as transforming your passion into a business opportunity, are the main topics of his discussion. Additionally, he argues that business and education complement one another. He talks about his educational journey and how it has benefited him in his life. 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
More from TED
- 24:02Redefining humanitarianism in medicine | Hani Khalifa | TEDxKIDr. Hani draws on years of frontline experience in conflict zones, disaster areas, and epidemic responses to explore the deeper meaning of humanitarian work. Going beyond clinical care, he examines the ethical, emotional, and leadership challenges involved in serving vulnerable populations under extreme conditions. His talk is a compelling reflection on resilience, human dignity, and the evolving role of global health professionals. He is a physician specializing in Family Medicine, currently serving as the Senior Consultant and Chief Medical Doctor at Järva Urgent Care Center. He also holds an affiliated lecturer position at the Center for Health Crises at Karolinska Institutet. With a deep passion for global health—particularly within the medical-humanitarian field—he has worked extensively with individuals and communities affected by conflict, epidemics, and both natural and man-made disasters.Through his work with globally recognized organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Dr. [Name] has gained hands-on experience in patient care, project leadership, and health policy development across diverse and challenging contexts. His tenure as Vice President of the Swedish section of MSF and a formative assignment with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva have significantly shaped his global health perspective and understanding of healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings.In addition to his clinical and humanitarian work, he has taught at several leading Swedish universities, including Karolinska Institutet, Umeå University, and Uppsala University. His academic focus includes Global Health, Disaster Health Assistance, Epidemiology, and Infectious Diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as an expert medical doctor on the Crisis Management Team at the Swedish National Board for Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), contributing to Sweden’s national response. 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
- 14:37Optimism: A Duty? | Erik Agner | TEDxKIErik Angner, Professor of Practical Philosophy, explores the ethical and practical importance of maintaining optimism in the face of global challenges. Drawing on his interdisciplinary expertise in economics, philosophy, and history of science, he argues that optimism is not just a feeling but a responsibility that drives meaningful action and societal progress. His talk invites audiences to embrace hopeful thinking as a catalyst for solving big problems. Erik Angner is Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University. As a result of serious mission creep, he holds two PhDs – one in Economics and one in History and Philosophy of Science – both from the University of Pittsburgh. His most recent book is How Economics Can Save the World: Simple Solutions to Solve Our Biggest Problems (Penguin 2023). In 2023 he was awarded the Ohlin Institute Public Discourse Award for his “panoptic disciplinary knowledge” and “contagious dose of optimism.” He lives in Stockholm with his wife and their three children. 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
