In her speech, Rani Maheshwari speaks of her incredible journey from a small, conservative city to becoming an Ironman finisher. She recalls how life seemed to confine her to the roles of wife and mother at the young age of 20, yet she refused to let that define her limits. Step by step, she ventured into running, cycling, and endurance sports, finally completing her first Half-Ironman in Dubai. But her path was far from smooth—three back-to-back DNFs tested her spirit. Instead of quitting, she embraced failure as a stepping stone, reminding us that “failure is the tuition fee for success.” Rani’s triumph in the Bahrain Half-Ironman and later in the full Ironman at Hamburg showed how persistence, consistency, and courage can transform setbacks into victories. Her story beautifully illustrates the philosophy of success: it is not a destination, but a journey of resilience, learning, and unwavering determination. Passion is what makes life meaningful, it ignites the soul, fuels the mind, and pushes boundaries. True leadership lies in inspiring others to dream, learn, and achieve more, and she embodies that spirit in every role she takes on. A dynamic personality, she is a Lawyer managing her husband’s legal firm in Gurgaon, a Model featured in print, advertisements, and videos, an Actress and Theatre Artist who has performed across stages including playing Sita in Ramleela before 10,000+ people live on TV. Her creativity flows as an Artist through oil paintings, while her adventurous side shines as a Trekker conquering Everest Base Camp and Kedarkanth peak. She is also a Runner, completing various marathons and half marathons. Above all, she is an Ironman, having conquered Ironman Hamburg in 15 hours and multiple 70.3 races including Dubai and Bahrain, proving her endurance with 3.8 km swims, 180 km rides, and a 42 km marathon. 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

Alieza Singh’s deeply personal talk redefines success, emphasizing resilience and self-growth over perfection and universal approval. She candidly recounts her teenage struggles with bullying, isolation, and the pressure to fit in, painting a vivid picture of the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence. A pivotal conversation with her father helped her realize that nothing stood between her and her ideal self except her own fears. This shift empowered her to stop chasing validation and start investing in academics, extracurriculars, and self-improvement. Even when she ran for student council and narrowly lost, Alieza found strength in failure, reframing it as a necessary part of growth. With maturity and vulnerability, she shares how setbacks have built her confidence, resilience, and perspective. Her central lesson—that success is “becoming better than who you were yesterday”—offers an inspiring reminder that failure isn’t the end but a stepping stone to strength, courage, and future triumphs. Alieza Singh is a versatile student and performer who combines academic curiosity with a passion for creative expression. Currently pursuing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, she is deeply interested in understanding people, cultures, and ideas through subjects such as Economics, Psychology, and the Arts. Outside the classroom, Alieza has explored multiple forms of dance and music, which have shaped her identity as both an artist and a leader. She believes in the power of creativity to build connections, foster inclusion, and inspire change. With a strong balance of discipline and imagination, she aims to use her voice and platform to encourage others to embrace self-expression and discover confidence in their individuality. 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