From a trainee working 20-hour days with no pay — only a free lunch — to becoming a global travelpreneur and CEO of HighQ Tourism, Soundar Rajan has lived the true meaning of escaping the ordinary.In this inspiring TEDx Talk, he shares his incredible journey of perseverance, reinvention, and passion — from facing career setbacks to building a thriving global travel business with offices in India and Dubai. Through every challenge, Soundar turned failure into a foundation for success, inspiring thousands to find opportunity in adversity.As the founder of the Travelpreneur Alliance Hub, he has mentored over 500 aspiring travel entrepreneurs and aims to empower 10,000 more to launch profitable, purpose-driven ventures with clarity and confidence.In his talk, Soundar reminds us that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about how courage, learning, and belief can help you escape the ordinary and redefine what’s possible. Soundar Rajan is the CEO of HighQ Tourism and the visionary founder of the Travelpreneur Alliance Hub, a global community for aspiring travel entrepreneurs. With over 22 years of experience in the travel industry, Soundar’s journey began humbly as a trainee in a tourist transport company—working 20-hour days for months with no salary, only free lunch. From those beginnings, he rose to build a successful global travel business with offices in India and Dubai, mentoring over 500 individuals and creating numerous success stories. His mission is clear: to help 10,000 aspiring travelpreneurs launch profitable businesses with clarity, confidence, and minimal investment. Recognized for his leadership, innovation, and sustainable business practices 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

While working as a Bomb Disposal Officer, Simon Ash quickly learned the importance of navigating uncertainty, even when under pressure. He realised that the key to effective decision-making is asking the right questions. Fortunately, as he explains here, there is an easy-to-remember method for constructing the questions you need. Simon is a former bomb disposal expert, combat officer, and leadership specialist with firsthand experience in navigating high-stakes uncertainty through the power of strategic questioning. Passionate about leadership development, he believes curiosity and the right questions—not just answers—are the keys to personal and professional growth.A Reserve Army Officer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Simon continues to test his limits through global expeditions and operations. His adventures and military service (recognized with an MBE in 2019) fuel his insights on resilience, decision-making, and leading under pressure—lessons he now shares to help others thrive in ambiguity. 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

How do you compose a life of purpose from the notes of adversity? Riki Bleau’s journey from humble beginnings to a leading voice in the British music industry is a powerful testament to the art of personal transformation. In this compelling talk, Riki shares the mindset shifts that allow us to reframe our greatest challenges, turning obstacles into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones. His story is a unique blend of rhythm and resilience, offering profound lessons in creativity, business, and personal growth. More than a story of success, it's an inspiring reminder that our true potential is unlocked not in spite of our struggles, but because of them. Riki Bleau is the visionary founder of Since ’93. With a history of global award winning talent including a combined 8 Grammy wins, the roster includes global stars like Tems, whose debut album Born In The Wild has over 70 million streams, South African sensation Tyla, who has surpassed 3.63 billion global streams; and rising star Shallipopi, whose smash hit single Laho has amassed over 100 million streams.Over two decades, the serial entrepreneur has had a hand in shaping British youth culture, from Channel U, a pioneering UK music platform that gave emerging talent national exposure and shaped the black identity within arts, to co-publishing icons like Labrinth, Emeli Sandé and Sam Smith. He’s managed exceptional talent including Naughty Boy, Mojam, Ms Dynamite, Krept & Konan, Popcaan and Wizkid. 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

許汶而引導觀眾思考：「你是否也曾因為他人的質疑而懷疑自己？」傳達面對恐懼與質疑、選擇前進的信念，並邀請觀眾去挑戰自己心中的海峽。 「應該是沒有人比我瘋了吧！」——這是許汶而挑戰極限後的笑談，但她的「瘋狂」，卻是一種不斷突破自我的勇氣與執著 ??。從直布羅陀海峽到英吉利海峽，她一次次挑戰世界級的開放水域，以 12 小時 17 分 8 秒的驚人成績，成為台灣史上首位泳渡英吉利海峽的女子選手 ???。在 16 度的低溫中適應，在海流與成群水母間奮戰，在看見陸地卻游不到岸的絕望中堅持，這一切，都是她成就夢想的養分。對她來說，極限不是終點，而是下一個起點，她的故事證明——只要願意全力以赴，世界都將為你讓路 ?✨。 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 an age where young girls are faced with endless marketing and an industry that profits off of exploiting their insecurities — sports can play a vital role in providing a healthy balance in a young girl's life. Sports allow you to view your body not as an image that others should view, but as a testimony of your strength and discipline. Sports will create a mindset that gives young girls, who may struggle with self-consciousness and vulnerability, the courage to pursue the dreams and goals they have in life. Malia is a 12th-grade student at Shanghai American School Puxi 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

楊尚儒在演講中說明自我認同的字典定義、人們常見的理解方式，以及這一定義如何隨時間而改變。他分享自己在面臨身份危機時的困惑與調適過程，強調自我認同沒有絕對的對錯，而是如同軟體般需要不斷更新。 楊尚儒（Ricky）是一位在台灣餐飲界嶄露頭角的侍肉師，以其專業知識和親和力為顧客帶來味蕾上的驚喜✨。他在西班牙長大，並在當地的英國學校接受教育，隨後回到台灣的清華大學完成大學及研究所的學業????。這段多元的背景讓他對食材有著獨特的理解和運用?。Ricky不僅專注於肉類的選擇與處理，還希望透過自己的料理讓更多台灣人認識西班牙的文化和料理?。他的努力和創新使他成為新一代餐飲界的亮眼明星，展現了對夢想的堅持與追求，告訴我們只要勇於挑戰，就能在自己的舞台上發光發熱??！ 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