The Power of Showing Up When Life Doesn't | ISRA ANWER KARIM | TEDxPeacePublicSchoolKottakkal
What if every missed chance was actually preparing you for something greater?In a soul-stirring and empowering speech, Isra Anwer Karim — a Grade 10 student, Head Girl of Peace Public School Kottakkal, and a proud Gavelier — bares her journey with honesty, humour, and heart.She tells the story of a girl who always seemed to miss her big moments — whether it was because of illness, accidents, or even unexpected weddings. A girl who watched from the sidelines while others shone. But that same girl discovered her voice in the margins of her notebook, where poetry quietly bloomed.With vivid storytelling and quiet strength, Isra takes us on a journey not of constant wins, but of persistence. Of how failure dimmed her spark, but never extinguished it. Of how one teacher’s belief and a friend’s nickname became anchors in a storm. And how standing on a stage, after years of disappointments, wasn’t a matter of luck — but of refusing to give up.This is not a victory speech. It’s a testimony to falling, breaking, healing, and rising again. It’s for the invisible children who are slowly stepping into the light. For the girls with broken mics who still dream of world stages. It’s about finding purpose not in spite of pain — but through it.Isra’s speech is a love letter to anyone who’s ever felt left behind. And a reminder that maybe, just maybe… the delay isn’t denial. It’s divine timing.Because in the end, we weren’t made to be anyone else’s first choice. We were meant to be our own.A dedicated 10th-grade student with twelve years at her school, Isra has transformed from a shy kindergartener into a confident storyteller through poetry, film, and writing. Her achievements include winning 3rd prize in State-Level PPT Presentatio, 3rd place in District-Level Slam Poetry, and 3rd prize at the Global Digital Fest for a short film. NCERT selected her poem for their national magazine, a testament to her literary talent. At school, she served as Head of Social Service, Deputy Student Editor, and earned the title ‘Kala Prathibha for her artistic dedication. As a Gavelier, she honed her leadership and communication skills under the Toastmasters model. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Malayalam, and conversational in Urdu, Arabic, and Japanese, Isra thrives on creativity—whether through reading, journaling, or videography—using these passions to make sense of the world around her. 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
- 8:14How I built my first NFT | Prisha Daga | TEDxDiscovery College YouthNFTs & The New Canvas: How Digital Art is Changing ForeverWhat if the future of fine art isn’t framed in a gallery—but secured on a blockchain? In this inspiring and insightful TEDx talk, Prisha unpacks how NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are transforming the art world—empowering digital artists, redefining ownership, and creating a new kind of creative economy. From the basics of blockchain to her own experience minting an NFT, Prisha explores how code and creativity collide—and why the future of art might already be here.#NFTs #DigitalArt #TEDxYouth #Blockchain #NFTArtist #FutureOfArt #CryptoArt #StudentTalks #Web3Art #MintingCreativity Hello, my name is Prisha, and I am passionate about sharing my experience creating a Non Fungible Token. I wish to share what an NFT is, does, and what our future may look like. In my opinion, I think that learning about the future is something to benefit from, which is why I want to share this in my TEDx Talk. 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
- 7:21Quit Whining about Nuclear | Horus Lai | TEDxDiscovery College Youth“Nuclear” — a word that sparks images of mushroom clouds and radiation zones. But what if we've been looking at it all wrong? In this powerful and perspective-shifting TEDx talk, the speaker unpacks the fear surrounding nuclear energy, from Chernobyl to Fukushima, and challenges the narratives that have dominated public perception. Through science, storytelling, and hard statistics, this talk reveals that nuclear may not be the enemy—it may actually be one of the safest and cleanest energy sources we have. It’s time to separate fear from fact. #TEDxYouth #NuclearEnergy #Chernobyl #CleanEnergy #ScienceOverFear #EnergyMyths #FossilFuels #NuclearFacts #ClimateCrisis #ScientificThinking Hello everyone, I am Horus Lai, a year 11 student who likes nuclear energy. I hope my Ted Ex Talk will change your beliefs regarding what I believe to be the next step in energy production. 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
- 12:16Your Roots Do Not Determine Your Reach | Greg Cannon | TEDxWilmingtonSalonIn his TEDxWilmingtonSalon talk, Greg Cannon powerfully dismantles the myth that your zip code at birth determines your destiny. Drawing from lived experience and professional insight, he challenges the systemic narratives that limit potential based on geography. His message is clear and inspiring: with opportunity, mindset, and support, anyone can rise beyond their circumstances and create a life of purpose, achievement, and impact. Greg Cannon is a transformational leader, speaker, and strategist committed to helping individuals and organizations live their Ideal Life by inspiring trust, motivating others, and cultivating authentic community. As the founder of Make It Cannon, Greg blends purpose-driven storytelling with practical tools to ignite growth and unlock potential. Known for his dynamic energy and servant leadership, Greg partners with schools, nonprofits, and businesses to drive cultural change and elevate impact. Whether on stage or in strategy sessions, his mission is clear: to empower people to lead with intention, connect with clarity, and make every moment count. 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
- 6:45Why the Most Enduring People Know When to Pause ? | Vishesh Madan | TEDxGoldenBridgeStudioWhat if the secret to going further wasn’t pushing harder but learning when to pause?In this deeply personal and thought-provoking talk, data analyst and triathlete Vishesh Madan shares the unexpected lesson endurance sports have taught him: real strength lies in knowing when to stop. With the experience of completing multiple Ironman and Ultraman triathlons, Vishesh reveals how strategic pauses in races, careers, and everyday life can prevent burnout, enhance clarity, and fuel long-term performance.Whether you are chasing professional goals, healing from setbacks, raising a family, or simply trying to keep up with life, this talk offers a gentle yet powerful reminder. The pause is not a setback. It is a strategy. It is not the end. It is just a semicolon.If you have ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure whether to push forward or slow down, this talk might be the breath of clarity you need. Vishesh Madan is a data analyst by profession and an endurance athlete by passion. With a strong background in analytics and business intelligence, he brings a unique perspective to high-performance living. He is a 2-time Ultraman finisher (Ultraman Australia 2024 and 2025), completing 10 km of swimming, 420 km of cycling, and 84 km of running. He is also a 3-time IRONMAN triathlon finisher, having completed events in Kalmar and Western Australia. Outside of work and racing, Vishesh is a writer and sports blogger, sharing insights on Ironman, Ultraman, endurance training, and personal growth. His journey blends data, discipline, and deep self-reflection. 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
- 15:19Sustainability Impact: Aspirations versus Reality | Belinda Scot | TEDxAURAK• Theme: The talk examines the gap between our ambitions—especially those related to sustainability—and the real-world challenges of implementing change. • Core message: Achieving meaningful goals requires aligning aspirations with practical, measurable steps and being honest about constraints. • Key takeaway: Start with a bold vision, but break it down into realistic milestones, continuously adapting your approach to stay grounded and practical. Belinda joined GIB in 2022, based in the UAE but spends considerable time across GIB’s regional offices, particularly in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. She is primarily responsible for embedding the bank’s sustainability strategy in the GCC and heads the bank’s Climate Working Group. Belinda also represents GIB on several regional climate and sustainable finance initiatives for the banking sector.Before joining GIB, she was the Head of Corporate Sustainability at First Abu Dhabi Bank where she led the development and delivery of the bank’s sustainability/ESG strategy across sustainable finance, climate change and ESG. Under her leadership, FAB built a strong reputation in the market for being a leading sustainable finance provider. She has extensive experience of sustainability governance and reporting, including identifying and tracking green / ESG assets and managing ESG oversight Committees.Belinda has also worked at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, where she was Head of Citizenship and Corporate Sustainability, Mubadala Development Company and the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA). 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
- 10:05Be the light for neurodiversity advocacy | Sara Fujii | TEDxSAIS YouthA neurodiverse student may struggle with reading assignments but excel in storytelling through drawings. By allowing them to illustrate their interpretations, not only could their engagement soar, but their peers also might also gain new perspectives. Sara shares what she learned about the strength-based model in her advocacy for neurodiversity in K-12 education. A member of the Senior Class at SAIS, Sara is pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma. She is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity, with a special focus on neurodiversity within the K-12 education community. In her free time, Sara enjoys singing with friends, playing the trumpet, and watching horror films at the cinema. 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