From Nothing—that’s what Ex Nihilo means. But do we really start from nothing?In this talk, I unpack the myth of starting from zero. Blending humour, heartbreak, and honesty, I share my journey—from a shy little girl with two left feet to becoming Head Girl, a dance performer, and the founder of a social impact initiative.Along the way, I reflect on what it really means to “earn” success, share the lessons rejection taught me, and explore the idea that we don’t begin with nothing—we start with potential, support, and the courage to try again.That's our head start. Something millions only strive for.This talk is for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves, and for every young person learning to rise—and help others rise too. It's to shed light that - everyone's journey matters. Hi, I am Advika Choudhury, a seventeen-year-old girl navigating through the uncertainties of life. Ex-nihilo, from nothing, but do we start from nothing, was my question? I answer this question through my talk. We live in a world of eight billion people, many of whom lack the basic necessities of life, but I have those basic amenities. So, that's my headstart, right? I start from a position of opportunity, strength and passion.Six years of constant rejections, not being that gifted dancer, nor being that confident girl. But hey, now that little girl would be proud to see herself on a global stage, talking and inspiring people around her. From being the two left feet, from listening to the ‘No’s’ and the ‘You're almost there!’. She has paved her way, brick by brick. Earlier this year, I was accepted into Morgan Stanley’s Women in STEM – Step In, Step Up program, where I gained invaluable insight into the world of finance, from research and analysis to understanding the financial needs of global clients. In parallel, I’ve worked on a social impact initiative based in India, sharing my passion for economics, math, and dance with the youth, and serving as a volunteer on social media to share the stories of women who create beautiful handicrafts. And after six years of constant rejection, I am proud to be appointed as the Head Girl of my school, a role that has deepened my passion for leadership and community building. A saying I keep close to me is, ‘ Trust the process and wait for the bigger picture.’ 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