“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” In this heartfelt TEDx talk, Jun Phạm shares his deeply personal story of transformation—from a directionless student to a successfcul artist and author—highlighting the power of embracing one’s unique journey. Drawing from his own moments of fear, failure, and uncertainty, he encourages young people to stop living according to others’ expectations and start listening to their own inner voice. Rather than chasing fame, prestige, or external validation, Jun urges us to choose authenticity and nóto pursue what truly matters to us. This talk is a powerful reminder that it's okay to stumble, to change paths, and to grow slowly—as long as we stay honest with ourselves and keep moving forward. Jun Phạm, whose full name is Phạm Duy Thuận, was born on July 24, 1989, in Ho Chi Minh City. He is mostly known as a versatile Vietnamese artist with his immense contributions as a singer, actor, writer, and screenwriter. He started his career as a model for teen magazines and later gained widespread recognition as a member of the popular V-pop group 365daband. In addition to his success on stage and screen, Jun is a published author and the writer of several acclaimed screenplays. His creativity and dedication have made him a respected and beloved figure in Vietnam’s entertainment scene. 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