Turning discomfort into a valuable lesson is a concept Mirus Ponon understands brilliantly. In his talk, he reveals his journey into becoming the founder of a globally recognized youth activism organization, and the insights he has gained from the process. Mirus Ponon is a dynamic 23-year-old youth changemaker and the Founder and Chairperson of the ASEAN Youth Advocates Network. His journey began at age 9 when he saw poverty first-hand while growing up in Paco, Manila. This personal encounter with adversity ignited Mirus' passion for advocacy, and he has since shared his story in numerous news and media outlets. With over 500 speaking engagements around the globe, Mirus has become a powerful voice for change.Currently, Mirus is a postgraduate student at KU Leuven and was the youngest speaker at the United Nations Global Climate and SDG Conference. His aspirations lie in continuing to be a catalyst for positive transformation, leveraging his platform to address global challenges and empower youth to create a lasting impact. His multifaceted roles and impressive achievements underscore his dedication to making a meaningful difference. 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