In this powerful and deeply personal talk, Karima, a second-year nursing student, shares her journey through mental health struggles, misdiagnosis, and the stigma that often silences those in need. With courage and honesty, she recounts how seeking help, entering a psychiatric clinic, and embracing therapy transformed her life. Karima's message is clear: asking for help is not weakness—it's humanity. Through her story, she urges us to replace judgment with kindness and work together to end the stigma around mental health, for ourselves and the generations to come. I’m Karima Bakhnach, a second-year nursing student at UM6P, and in my TEDx talk, I will share a deeply personal journey through mental health struggles. I’ll speak about the challenges I faced, the isolation I experienced, and how I managed to overcome it and emerge stronger. I chose this topic because I believe it’s crucial to prioritize our mental health just as we do our physical health, as mental health challenges are often overlooked. My talk is an invitation to those who are struggling to understand that they are not alone and that recovery is possible. And I’m here to empower individuals to take charge of their mental health, seek help when needed, and break the stigma that too often surrounds mental health struggles. Through my story, I aim to inspire a culture of openness, resilience, and support. 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

This compelling talk explores the pursuit of gender equality in sports through the lens of personal experience and global icons like Serena Williams. Drawing from her own journey as an athlete, Lily highlights the resilience required to challenge norms and advocates for a more inclusive future in sport. A call to action for equity, perseverance, and meaningful change. Student 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

In this honest and reflective talk, Grade 11 student David Eisenthal explores the fear of failure and how avoiding risks can often feel safer—but ultimately holds us back. Through personal stories and psychological insight, he redefines failure as a stepping stone for growth, not a dead end. With humor and clarity, David introduces a four-step framework—Acknowledge, Assess, Analyse, Apply—to help peers learn from mistakes and “sail” forward. This talk is a thoughtful reminder that it's not failing that defines us, but what we do next. I am David Eisenthal, an Grade 11 IB Student from ASM. As someone who's personally not failed a major failure in life, only often acquainted with those that are petty, I've thought of attempting to tackle this topic and idea from a more objective, somewhat scientific perspective, allowing myself to outline the process of failure, its effects, and how we as humans aim to move forward from it. I'm hoping that my speech can let off a little bit about me personally, so as to become acquainted with my audience, and to not only inspire my audience but also educate them on the process behind failing and sailing, so all can leave with a new perspective, or at least a new idea. 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

This thought-provoking talk challenges the overused phrase “learning from mistakes” by proposing a broader, more inclusive view: learning from all experiences. Through real-life examples from biology, childhood development, nature, and a personal crossroads in academia, the speaker argues that growth is not limited to moments of error. Instead, learning is an innate, continuous human process shaped by every experience—good or bad. Encouraging a shift in language and mindset, this talk invites the audience to embrace the richness of their full journey, not just their slip-ups. Mouad holds a Bachelor of Education from Roger Williams University, RI USA and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Advanced IB Studies from George Mason University. Mouad is an alumnus of the U.S. Fulbright Scholar Program. With over a decade of experience in the professional field, especially with education, he believes that setbacks are essential for building resilience and sparking innovation. In his TEDx talk, Mouad will explore how failure can be a powerful force for personal and professional transformation—encouraging us all to "fail and sail" toward success. 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

In this heartfelt and empowering talk, a senior at ASM challenges the way we perceive failure. Through personal stories—from a science fair experiment gone wrong to reflections on missed chances—she reframes failure not as defeat, but as a powerful tool for growth, learning, and resilience. Drawing inspiration from historical figures who turned rejection into success, she encourages peers to embrace uncertainty, take risks, and redefine what it means to succeed. This talk is a call to action for every dreamer afraid to try: failure isn’t real—it’s just the beginning of something extraordinary. Hello! My name is Janna Lahmamsi, a senior at ASM. I’m excited to announce that I will be a speaker at the TEDx event, as well as Head of Finance. The topic of this event is "Fail & Sail: Learning from Mistakes", so I will be sharing my thoughts on whether or not failure is a real thing. I’m very excited, and can’t wait to share this experience with everyone! 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

In this raw and insightful talk, a medical student unpacks the hidden dangers of perfectionism and the heavy toll it takes on mental health, self-worth, and joy. Drawing from personal experience and powerful research, she challenges the belief that success means flawlessness. Instead, she proposes a radical shift: redefining success as balance, authenticity, and well-being. Through relatable stories and eye-opening studies, this talk is a call to students and high achievers everywhere—let go of the illusion of perfection, embrace imperfection, and start living a life that’s meaningful, not just impressive. Perfection is often celebrated as the ultimate goal, but it can quietly become a barrier to real success. As a medical student and someone who has struggled deeply with perfectionism, Aya knows firsthand how the fear of making mistakes can limit growth and prevent us from taking the very risks that lead to greatness. This talk invites us to rethink success, embrace imperfection, and find freedom in failure. 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