Starting a business at a young age is never easy, but it can be transformative. In this talk, a young entrepreneur shares her journey of building a thriving hair extension brand, overcoming challenges, and breaking barriers in the beauty industry. Her story inspires us to see how passion and persistence can turn a bold idea into reality. Shelly Boolchandani is an Indian entrepreneur and founder of TheShellHair, a brand specializing in high-quality, mood-worthy hair extensions aimed at empowering women to embrace their natural beauty. She gained significant visibility through her appearance on Shark Tank India Season 3, where she pitched her innovative hair products, showcasing her confidence and business acumen. As a young founder, she focuses on product innovation and has experience in social media management, Google ads, and multi-platform promotions. 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

Dr. Patricia Saleeby’s TEDx Bradley University talk addresses a critical challenge in modern healthcare: our emphasis on diagnostic labels at the expense of understanding how people actually function in their daily lives and their choices in life. Drawing from powerful personal stories and clinical cases, Dr. Saleeby advocates for a transformative shift toward functional-centered care and human flourishing. This paradigm shift represents hope for a healthcare future where every person is seen, heard, and supported in their journey toward optimal functioning and well-being. It’s a vision worth pursuing, one story, one patient, and one healthcare encounter at a time. Dr. Patricia Welch Saleeby is Professor and Department Chair of the Dept. of Sociology, Criminology and Social Work at Bradley. She is the global Co-Chair of the Functioning and Disability Reference Group for the World Health Organization (WHO) focusing on improving data quality and comparability of international classifications like ICD, ICF, and ICHI. As part of the WHO Environmental Task Force, she helped develop the first environmental codes in the ICF predating Social Determinants of Health. She is a member of the Post-Acute Care Interoperability Project (PACIO) sponsored by CMS and MITRE Corporation, and the GRAVITY Project, which is a national collaborative developing data standards around using & sharing information on social determinants of health. She is an International Advisory Board member for the Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health, a member of the Coalition for Social Work and Health, Council on Social Work Education, and National Association of Social Workers. 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

From primitive cave paintings to the immersive worlds created on our smartphones, the art of storytelling has continuously evolved with human civilization. This talk explores how stories have shaped our understanding of the world—from symbols etched on cave walls, to oral traditions around the fire, to the written word, cinema, and now digital narratives shared instantly across the globe. The speaker reflects on how the essence of storytelling remains timeless—our need to connect, to share, and to make meaning—while the mediums transform with technology. Adhiraj Shekhawat is a globally experienced creative strategist and Executive Assistant, currently serving as Digital Director at The Albers Foundation, with active roles across France, the USA, and West Africa. A graduate of EICAR International Film and Television School, Paris, he holds distinction in Directing and Editing, with award-winning work screened at major international festivals. As the founder of SHAKEAMEDIA, he leads high-impact digital campaigns that merge storytelling with strategy. His versatile portfolio spans leadership roles at the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, ARTE France, and India’s CBSE, where he directed educational media for national audiences. With expertise in cross-cultural communication, multilingual fluency in French, English, and Hindi, and a proven record in team leadership, Adhiraj is known for crafting narratives that resonate globally and deliver measurable impact. 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

At an age when most are still discovering their paths, she was already scaling some of the world’s tallest peaks. As the youngest Indian to summit Mount Kilimanjaro and several other challenging peaks, her journey is a story of grit, resilience, and unshakable determination. In this talk, she shares firsthand experiences of the physical and emotional challenges of mountaineering- the biting cold, the steep ascents, the moments of doubt and the unparalleled joy of standing on the summit. S. Jhahnavi is a young Indian mountaineer, expedition guide, and motivational speaker born in 2005. She began trekking at age 3 and has achieved numerous records, including being the youngest Indian to summit peaks like Kilimanjaro, Africa (2014), Mount Elbrus, Australia (2015), Kosciuszko, Australia (2015), and Denali, North America (2016). She has guided large groups to Everest Base Camp, setting global records, and is pursuing the Seven Summits challenge. 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

Every day, each of us generates “invisible garbage”—the carbon dioxide emissions released through our choices, habits, and consumption. In this talk, SolarMan of India sheds light on this unseen burden and its impact on our planet. With compelling insights and practical examples, he demonstrates how small lifestyle changes by individuals whether in energy use, transportation, or consumption patterns can collectively reduce carbon emissions and create a meaningful ripple of change. Prof. Chetan Singh Solani is the founder of Energy Swaraj Foundation and an IIT Bombay Professor. He is renowned as the Solar Man of India. On an 11- year Energy Swaraj Yatra, he is spreading the message of finite living, mindful consumption, and renewable self-reliance to create a sustainable future. His work has been honored with awards such as Prime Minister’s Innovation Award, ONGC’s Solar Chulha Challenge, and three Guinness World Records. 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

Pain and fear are among the most powerful human emotions—often seen as barriers, yet they shape our choices, our growth, and our collective stories. In this talk, the speaker explores how pain becomes a teacher and fear a compass, guiding us toward resilience, creativity, and transformation. Drawing on personal experiences and universal truths, the talk reveals how embracing these emotions rather than resisting them can open new paths of understanding and change. Dr. Ankit Bhargava is an Indian physiotherapist, academician, researcher, and entrepreneur, currently serving as Dean/Director and Professor of the Faculty of Physiotherapy & Diagnostics at Jyoti Vidyapeeth Women's University in Jaipur, Rajasthan (since September 2022). He holds dual doctorates (from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, and National University of Singapore) and is an honorary professor at multiple institutions. His expertise includes physiotherapy, writing, blogging, and innovation in healthcare education. 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