In this inspiring talk, 13-year-old Riana shares her journey of learning to stop cutting off pieces of herself just to fit in. From pretending to love soccer in a debate to hiding her true self in middle school, she takes us through the pressure teens face to conform socially, academically, and emotionally. Riana reveals how trying to “fit the mold” often means losing what makes us unique. With wisdom well beyond her years, she calls on young people everywhere to choose honesty over perfection and authenticity over approval. This is a rallying cry for every teen to be real, be bold, and truly belong. Riana Kumar is an eighth-grade student at The Overlake School in Redmond, Washington. She is passionate about lacrosse, dance, and debate. She plays on Overlake School’s lacrosse team and competes with her club team in the fall. Riana trains in ethnic dance at PCIPA and will begin learning new styles at the Premier Dance Center. As a member of the Overlake debate team, she regularly participates in tournaments. She also serves as a student ambassador, representing her school at open houses and interviews. Riana is driven by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to grow through every experience. 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