Redefining Success: A Playbook for Breaking Career Stereotypes | Chaitanya Deshpande | TEDxPICT
From dropping out of college to performing in front of football legends, the story of Mr. Chaitanya Deshpande is a true inspiration for all those who dare to challenge traditional career pathways. In this engaging talk at TEDxPICT, Chaitanya takes you through the unexpected twists that led him from restless days of uncertainty to becoming a freestyle footballer and viral content creator.
Football, being a niche sport in India, posed its own challenges, and the speaker sheds light on how he was able to focus on getting the most out of his passion. From convincing his parents by showing them tangible results to appearing on television and making them truly proud, the journey — which seems simple enough — isn’t so in most cases. He also enlightens us about how to make a career plan fail-proof, highlighting that weaknesses matter as much as strengths do. He shares his interest in content creation and how he was able to create the ‘Saadha Manus’ page, which gave a boost to his career.
This isn’t just a success story — it’s a bold answer to the question: “What if I take the road no one else is willing to?” Get ready for a talk that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even take that leap you’ve been hesitating to make. Chaitanya Deshpande, popularly known as Saadha Manus, is a professional freestyle footballer and content creator from Pune, Maharashtra. Representing India on the global stage, he has showcased his skills in freestyle football and Panna, gaining recognition for his dedication to the sport.In his TEDx talk, Chaitanya will take the audience through his unconventional journey— choosing passion over convention, dropping out of college, and overcoming societal and financial challenges to pursue freestyle football full-time. He will shed light on the struggles of gaining parental approval, monetizing a non-traditional career, and staying motivated in the face of uncertainty. Through his story, he will emphasize the power of perseverance, self-belief, and vision in breaking barriers and carving one's own path to 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
More from TED
- 17:59What I learned from visiting every country in the world | Ravi Prabhu | TEDxHyderabadWhat does traveling to all corners of the world teach you about humanity? Ravi Prabhu set out on a journey across 195 nations, only to discover that despite our differences—cultures, languages, and traditions—we all share the same hopes, dreams, and emotions. He understood how the world is more connected than we think, and how love, kindness, and shared human experiences bind us together. His journey of self-discovery through travel is a testament to the fact that no matter where we come from, we all care about the same things. Ravi Prabhu is one of India’s most accomplished travelers, the first and only Telugu person to visit every country on the planet (195/195), a feat achieved by a tiny fraction of people globally. Hailing from Visakhapatnam and a graduate of Hyderabad, Ravi now resides in the USA. His journey spans continents and cultures, embracing the diversity of the world—all while balancing a career and family. Ravi's story is a testament to passion and perseverance, proving that exploring the world doesn’t require leaving behind the life you love. 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
- 11:49Brains Without Boundaries | Mr. Venkata Phani Kumar Varma Kalidindi | TEDxBVRIT HyderabadThe speaker explains the extraordinary capabilities and potential risks of artificial intelligence. He presents AI as an ever-evolving, tireless digital force one that could serve as a personal coach or even learn human traits like empathy and creativity. With a blend of humor, urgency, and vision, the speaker urges the next generation to move beyond passive use and take active, responsible roles in shaping AI. His message is clear: while AI may define the future, it is humans who must guide it. Phani Kumar Kalidindi is a visionary technology leader with over 16 years of experience transforming bold ideas into real-world impact through AI, machine learning, and scalable engineering systems. As Director of Engineering at F5 Inc., he has built and led high-performing teams across cloud, automation, integrations, and engineering. Named one of India’s Top AI Voices by Business Connect Magazine, Phani combines deep technical expertise with a human-first leadership style. With postgraduate degrees in Management and AI-ML Leadership, he’s a lifelong learner on a mission to harness technology to elevate lives and spark meaningful change. 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
- 16:50The Power of Possibility | Ms. Seema Bansal | TEDxBVRIT HyderabadThe speaker shares her journey of transformation from a global professional to a successful entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience in top companies across the UK and the US, she gained significant international exposure before returning to India to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. She went on to build a multi-crore business empire with operations spanning India, the UAE, and the UK. Emphasizing resilience, lifelong learning, and excellence as the core of her leadership philosophy, she also enhanced her skills through the Master of Negotiation and Influence Programme at ISB Hyderabad. Her story underscores that success stems from hard work, persistence, and staying true to one’s purpose. Ms. Seema Bansal is the Founder & Executive Director of DCG Tech Limited, a pioneering packaging solutions company headquartered in Gurugram, India. Under her leadership, DCG Tech Limited has grown into one of India's leading packaging suppliers, serving over 50,000 clients and delivering innovative, sustainable, and data-driven packaging solutions. With a career spanning diverse high-level roles in international corporations, Seema brings a wealth of expertise in operations, customer experience, and business strategy. Her achievements have been recognized with multiple industry awards, including the 'Innovator for Packaging Solutions' and 'Women Entrepreneurship' awards. Seema continues to drive excellence in packaging innovation while empowering businesses with cutting-edge solutions. 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
- 15:41Sağlıklı Bir Gelecek için Sağlıklı Bir Gezegen | Sıla Gürbüz | TEDxKaradeniz Technical UniversityTıp öğrencisi ve çevre aktivisti Sıla Gürbüz, TEDxKaradenizUniversity sahnesinde iklim krizine genç bir bakış sunuyor. Geleceği şekillendiren gençlerin, gezegenimizi koruma yolundaki dönüştürücü gücüne kulak verin! Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi (KTÜ) Tıp Fakültesi öğrencisi olan Sıla Gürbüz, tıp alanındaki akademik başarısının yanı sıra uluslararası platformlarda da aktif bir rol üstlenmiştir. Brüksel’de düzenlenen Avrupa Hekimleri Daimi Komitesi (CPME) toplantısına katılarak, sağlık politikaları ve tıp eğitimi üzerine önemli görüşmelere dahil olmuştur.Gürbüz, tıp alanındaki gelişmeleri yakından takip eden ve mesleki vizyonunu uluslararası bir perspektifle genişleten bir öğrenci olarak, gelecekte sağlık sektörüne katkı sağlamayı hedeflemektedir. 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
- 6:47Earning Money & Guarding It from Scams | Mr. Karthikeyan Dhayalan | TEDxBVRIT HyderabadThe speaker begins by explaining that before launching their investment and asset management company, the team conducted in-depth research on effective methods of earning money and strategies to protect it from swindlers, particularly those operating Ponzi schemes. Drawing from years of personal experience in the financial domain, the speaker expresses a strong desire to share this valuable knowledge with the audience, believing that they are at the ideal stage in life to absorb and apply these insights. The talk sets the stage with the introduction of a key principle: the law of compensation, which serves as the foundation for understanding financial growth and protection. Mr. Karthikeyan Dhayalan, also known as Guhan, is the Director at GHL India Asset. In his role as Business Operation Head, he oversees the company's alternative investment platform, focusing on sectors such as biotechnology, real estate, agriculture, and food & beverage. Under his leadership, GHL India has achieved significant growth in asset management and client satisfaction. 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
- 14:06Looking Beyond the Obvious | Dr. Prashant Khankhoje | TEDxBVRIT HyderabadThe speaker emphasizes the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and authentic connection in an increasingly distracted world. Reflecting on a personal story, he highlights how natural qualities like innocence and care often fade with age. He urges listeners to challenge surface-level assumptions and seek deeper understanding of others and themselves. The speaker discusses how modern life, though efficient, limits emotional depth and human touch. Drawing inspiration from visionary leaders, he encourages setting bold goals and cultivating emotional intelligence. Ultimately, he inspires the audience to look beyond comfort zones and embrace growth, compassion, and deeper purpose. Dr. Prashant Khankhoje is the Managing Director of A2Z Energies, a company specializing in energy solutions. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Dr. Khankhoje has been instrumental in driving innovative strategies and fostering sustainable practices within the industry. 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