Hey! Welcome to my talk. This TedX Talk is born from a deep desire to ignite a fire within each of you—to inspire you to break free from the chains of others’ limited expectations and your self-doubt. I want you to leave here determined, knowing that success is within your grasp when you refuse to let fear and negativity hold you back. I will share a personal journey—moments when I dared to dream big and overcame the mental barriers that once seemed insurmountable. I’ll also open up about those times when negative thoughts and self-doubt threatened to keep me grounded. These experiences are universal, and I believe with all my heart that many of you will resonate with them.Together, we’ll explore how my mindset has transformed, showing how dreams, perseverance, and success are all closely intertwined, illuminated through powerful visuals and a few space-inspired metaphors. I want us all to feel confident as we begin venturing into the vast unknown of our future and to remind us all that our potential is limitless if we dare to reach beyond our fears. This talk is more than words—it's a call to action, a rallying cry to embrace your inner strength and chart your OWN course to greatness. Mary-Soledad Gracia, or just Mary as she is known to her community and peers, is a first-generation immigrant born in Uganda. She is a distinguished student at Ossining High School and a proud member of the Class of 2028. In 2024, Mary was elected by her peers as Student Body President. She is actively involved in the Model United Nations club and attended the National High School Model UN Conferences in New York City earlier this year. She is also a member of the Science Olympiad and Student Council, and she is looking forward to joining the Engineering club in the next school year as well as running for president in the following years. In this TED Talk, Mary confronts the internal and external barriers faced by dreamers today, boldly asserting that you don’t need permission to succeed. Her message is clear: Breaking down barriers to overcome limitations will put you on the track to achieve your dreams. 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