Life is Not Just About the Chase – It’s About the Catch | Carlos Arroyo Pelayo | TEDxAWC
In this powerful and personal TEDxAWC Talk, Carlos A. Arroyo Pelayo challenges the relentless pursuit of dreams without direction, urging us to shift from chasing to catching what truly matters. Through vivid storytelling—from childhood wonder at the moon landing to an unexpected journey to NASA—the talk illustrates how purpose, planning, and persistence can transform vague ambition into tangible achievement. With real-life examples, including a farmer named Pedro, the message is clear: dreams are not meant to stay distant. They are meant to be claimed through clarity, adaptability, and action. This is not just inspiration—it’s a call to start catching your own moon landing, starting today. Carlos A. Arroyo Pelayo, a proud Mexican immigrant, began his journey working in the agricultural fields before pursuing higher education. He earned a Bachelor’s in Planning and a Master’s in Human Resources Management in Mexico, followed by a Master’s in Education in the U.S., graduating with a 4.0 GPA and induction into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in 2006. He completed academic work for a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with a 3.85 GPA and was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Chi National Honor Society in 2017. With over 20 years of community involvement, Carlos has worked as a life coach, taught for 18 years, served in the Arizona State Migrant Education Program, and has been with San Luis High School since 2019. He is also Chair of Sunset Health Board of Directors and has spent over a decade working and researching human development and sharing his knowledge to inspire and empower others. 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
More from TED
- 14:01Product Development | Malika Mascoll | TEDxEF Academy YouthHow do ideas become innovations? This talk walks through the creative journey of turning concepts into tangible products — from design and testing to failure and refinement. It highlights the challenges and breakthroughs that shape the process, and encourages a mindset of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship. Malika Mascoll is a seasoned apparel product developer with over eight years of experience at top fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Rag & Bone, Kith, and Alexander Wang. A graduate of the High School of Fashion Industries and FIT, she specializes in turning creative concepts into high-quality, functional apparel. 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
- 15:45RAINBOW of Excellence Beyond Notice | Vishnu Narayan B | TEDxSJCETPalaiWhat does it feel like to spread the colors of quiet impact? In this TEDx talk, Vishnu Narayan proposes the RAINBOW strategy — Reflect, Acknowledge, Inspire, Navigate, Believe, Own, and Wonder — a powerful framework that inspires you to make an impact, just like the formation of a rainbow: quiet, yet beautiful and noticeable. This talk reveals how unseen moments of integrity, effort, and growth can make a lasting impact through real examples from his life — his mother, who sacrificed her career for him; his school teacher, who inspired him in a way she doesn’t even realize; and more. Discover how small, intentional actions can lead to extraordinary impacts. Vishnu Narayan, a Platinum Certified Mentor, Workplace Coach, NLP Practitioner and Agile Ninja Coach at TCS, is passionate about mentoring, coaching and fostering positive change. Heading Talent Development in Kerala, he leverages his expertise to create a lasting impact.A Mechanical Engineer who started his career as a Plant Engineer, turned IT professional, Vishnu has excelled in roles like Tester, Developer, Scrum Master, Architect, Project Manager, Delivery Manager, Unit Agile Leader etc. showcasing technical prowess and leadership in transformative initiatives.Outside work, he is a philanthropic fitness enthusiast with interests in YouTubing, blogging, cooking, and acting. A devoted family man, he enjoys life with his wife and two cubs. 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
- 9:27Is artificial intelligence a friend or foe? | Man Sum Cheung | TEDxEF Academy YouthArtificial intelligence is reshaping the world — but is it for better or worse? This talk examines the benefits and risks of rapidly advancing AI systems, from automation and efficiency to ethics and human control. It encourages critical thinking about how we can responsibly shape the future of AI. n/a 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
- 17:36The Power of Stories | Megha Rajpurohit | TEDxBodhi International SchoolThe Power of Stories Megha Rajpurohit is a confident and creative 14-year-old from Jodhpur, currently studying in Grade 10 at Heritage Girls School, Udaipur. This marks her second time preparing for a TEDx talk—an opportunity she embraces with enthusiasm. A passionate public speaker, Megha has participated in numerous debates and Model United Nations conferences. Her interests span advanced yoga, long-distance running, and cooking, which she considers her true passion. In her downtime, she finds joy in dancing and writing poetry in both Hindi and English. With strong leadership skills and a deep-rooted educational environment at home, Megha continues to grow as a bold and expressive voice of her generation. 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
- 8:03Social Media: The Killer of Happiness | Emma Greiderer | TEDxEF Academy YouthThis talk explores the dark side of constant online connectivity. From comparison culture to dopamine addiction, it uncovers how social media affects mental well-being and challenges the illusion of happiness portrayed online. It also raises important questions about how we can reclaim joy in a digital world. n/a 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
- 5:47The Power of Influential Speech | Lani Schleusener | TEDxEF Academy YouthWords have the power to inspire action, create change, and shape the way people think. This talk explores how influential speech has shaped history, impacted media, and influenced communities — revealing techniques behind compelling communication and how they can be used to foster stronger connections.n/a 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