Zero to Olympics in Five Months: The Power of Showing Up | Rakan Alireza | TEDxRiyadh
In “The Call That Changed My Life,” I share the unlikely journey that took me from avoiding sports as an overweight kid with asthma to qualifying for the Winter Olympics on skis, in Sweden, after just five months of training. When Saudi Arabia launched its first Winter Sports Federation in 2021, I got a call that would alter the course of my life: “Do you want to be one of the first Saudis to try and qualify for the Winter Olympics?” I said yes without hesitation. But before that moment, I had spent years learning how to show up for myself, training not just my body, but my mindset. This talk isn’t just about skiing, or Olympic dreams it’s about the power of persistence, and what happens when you stop running from who you are and start showing up for who you could become. From training in freezing temperatures with no snow experience, to qualifying for Beijing and then being told I couldn't compete due to administrative rules I faced setbacks that could have broken me. But instead, they built me. Now, with a new goal in sight Milano 2026 I’ve come to understand that real success isn’t in the spotlight moments, but in the quiet decision to keep going. I hope this story inspires you to ask yourself the same question that changed everything for me: are you truly showing up for yourself? Rakan Ali Reda is a Saudi athlete and business development professional pursuing a career in rowing and cross-country skiing. He has represented the Kingdom in the Asian Games and qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He believes in forging his own unique athletic path. 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
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