What do you do when life throws you off course? Drawing on lived experience, leadership and lessons forged through adversity, Ali Ahmadi introduces his GPS framework — a practical way to navigate life’s toughest challenges with clarity and confidence. This talk offers a new internal compass for leaders and individuals ready to take their next step forward Gratitude, Purpose and Self-Confidence A refugee, turned engineering leader, turned speaker, sharing a framework for navigating any challenging situation. The framework was discovered through a harrowing journey of being smuggled across a border in the pursuit of education. 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 play isn’t a distraction from solving serious problems, but the key to unlocking them? This talk challenges our adult assumptions about play, sharing powerful real-world examples and research that show how playful approaches can transform health, innovation, connection and even climate conversations. It’s a permission slip and a call to action for adults to bring play back into tackling the most complex challenges of our time.Play, Innovation, Community Speaker on play for adults. 10+ years experience inviting adults to play for good. Part of global community of professional play practitioners. 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

Drawing from his experience as a five-time Ironman finisher, Mr. Nalin Moniz explores the mindset required to endure the world’s toughest endurance race. His talk reveals how mastery comes from focusing on the next small step, not the overwhelming finish line. Nalin’s Eureka lies in realizing that perfection is unnecessary - persistence is everything. Mr. Nalin Moniz is a graduate of the Management & Technology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Doing two undergraduate degrees at once wasn't hard enough - so in his late 30s he discovered a love for three sports: swimming, cycling and running that together form the sport of triathlon.In the last 47 years, there have only been 993 Indians to ever complete an IRONMAN - the pinnacle of endurance sports and only 20 of that elite group have ever represented India at a World Championship. Nalin has done it thrice, is a member of IRONMAN India's Hall of Fame and truly believes in IRONMAN's motto that "Anything is Possible". 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

In this talk, Grade 9 student, Ayaan Mehta reflects on growing up as an extrovert who thrived on people and approval, only to experience the quiet disorientation of being left out. As friendships shifted and circles grew smaller, he began questioning not just his relationships, but his identity. Drawing on personal experience and psychological insight, Ayaan explores how the need for belonging can turn into dependence on external validation. His Eureka moment comes through a quiet shift in perspective: realizing that belonging does not come from being included by others, but from learning to stay centered within oneself. Ayaan Mehta is 15-year old Grade 9 student at BDSIS who is an avid traveler, a passionate and reflective learner, and someone deeply curious about the world around him. He often draws on what he learns to better understand the world and his own place and journey through it. With a keen interest in history and classical languages, Ayaan has studied both Latin and Greek to explore the roots of human thought, identity, and connection. Ayaan is also a musician who plays both the piano and the tabla, finding comfort and expression in rhythm and melody. From wildlife safaris to witnessing the Northern Lights, and through summer internships at e-mobility organizations and music research centers, he continues to explore the intersections of technology, creativity, and culture. Thoughtful and inquisitive, Ayaan reflects honestly on the highs and lows of being a teenager today, using every experience as an opportunity to learn more about the world - and about himself. 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

Embracing Imperfection - With honesty and vulnerability, Grade 9 student Anika shares her journey of learning to embrace imperfections in a world obsessed with perfection. Her talk challenges societal expectations and celebrates self-acceptance as a powerful form of growth. Anika’s Eureka is a reminder that wholeness begins with acceptance. Anika Bhimrajka is a 15-year-old Grade 9 student at B.D.Somani International School who is driven by an endless curiosity about people, emotions and what makes us who we are. Anika strives to understand not only how human cognition works, but rather why people do what they do, a question that stems right from her beliefs of humanity, equality and empathy.When she is not understanding the complexities of the human mind, Anika either finds herself in her studio, letting music take control of her mind and body, or voraciously reading a murder mystery. As an aspiring psychologist, Anika wishes to see a future that is driven by unity, not judgement, and wants to use her love for dance and psychology to bring about that change. 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 your brain could relearn movement simply by intending it? Neural engineer Dr Sam Darvishi shares how brain–computer interfaces can help stroke survivors retrain lost arm and hand function by reconnecting intention with movement. Drawing on his journey from PhD research to real-world impact, he outlines a bold vision to make advanced neurorehabilitation accessible to stroke survivors everywhere. Neurotechnology, Rehabilitation, Innovation Researcher with 10+ years' experience on Neuro-rehabilitation. Published in peer-reviewed journals and featured in over 20 national and international news outlets. 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

This talk reflects on how legacy shapes purpose. Through the story of a family whose contributions influenced education, law, medicine, and politics in Sudan, it explores how values like integrity, service, and ethical leadership are passed down across generations. Centered on the example of principled leadership, it examines how witnessing justice in action can transform admiration into responsibility. Ultimately, it is a reflection on carrying history forward—not as pressure, but as purpose. Shoug’s identity is deeply rooted in the rich cultural areas of the Nile Valley and the strong sense of community unique to her Sudanese homeland. She explores themes of cultural identity in her work, aiming to bridge her heritage with current life experiences and share the beauty of her background. 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

Just like seeds break open before they grow, our strongest moments often begin with failure. This reflection explores how falling apart can be the first step toward resilience, purpose as well as self discovery. In a world that pressures us to be perfect, it reminds us that failure isn’t something to fear from but rather to learn from. By shifting how we see ourselves in moments of setback, we can turn disappointment into direction and use out breaking points as beginnings. Exploring her future as a creative technologist, blending her love for graphic design, and data science. She is part of this event because she believes that failure isn’t a setback—it’s the spark that shapes ambition. Fun fact about her, she loves cats and has a soft spot for animals. 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

This talk explores how identity is not fixed, but continually shaped by change, choice, and experience. Through the personal journey of moving from India to Canada, it reflects on what it means to lose familiarity, rebuild confidence, and grow in unfamiliar spaces. It challenges the idea that identity must remain constant, and instead celebrates evolution, resilience, and the courage it takes to become someone new while honouring where you come from. Today, she is discussing how identity evolves with each step forward 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

This talk explores the quiet, often unseen struggle of growing up feeling misunderstood, and the courage it takes to stop hiding and finally be yourself. Through a deeply personal story, it reveals how isolation, judgement, and fear can shape a young person’s identity - and how honesty can become a turning point. It shows that embracing who we are, even when it feels risky, can not only transform us but also how others see us. It challenges the belief that blending in is the safest path, and instead celebrates the path of self-acceptance to change an entire world. Focused on business and marketing, he’s an active DECA member who thrives on analyzing real-world challenges. He is participating in TEDx to inspire others with the power of self-advocacy and innovation. Outside of school, he explores retail trends, creates case studies, and embraces new competition scenarios. 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