From a Failed Debate to a TEDx Stage

I was 14 when I was first handed a microphone, and then almost immediately asked to give it back.

It was an out of school debate and I had rehearsed for days, heart pounding, palms sweaty. When my name was called, I stood up, walked to the podium, opened my mouth…

And proceeded to debate in favor of the opposing team.

I still remember the look on my English teacher’s face as I disgraces my school, my family and my entire lineage.

We lost the debate, and I lost the mic.

They never let me speak again.

At least, not on any debate stage.

The Invisible Brilliance Begins

I went back to being the girl with “potential.” The one who wrote well, had ideas, helped others behind the scenes (my seniors used to recruit me to write letters) but didn’t speak up much anymore. I buried my voice in journals, since no one was going to read them but me.

It was safer to be the one with invisible brilliance. No spotlight, no embarrassment, no risk.

I thought that moment, that mistake, had disqualified me from being a voice in the world.

But the truth is: it qualified me.

Because years later, when I finally took the TEDx stage, I wasn’t speaking as a flawless, polished, arrived professional.

I was speaking as someone who knows what it’s like to mess up, to stay quiet, to doubt yourself for too long.

And that is what made it matter.

Here’s what I’ve Learned About Brilliance Since Then

• You’ve always been brilliant, you’ve just learned how to hide it.
  It’s time to be willing. Willing to say, “This might flop, but I believe in it enough to try.”

• Mistakes are data, not disqualifiers.
  That failed debate became the origin story for the talk that has unlocked a new door for me. Yes, it was my opening story at the TEDx talk I gave over the weekend.

• Most brilliance hides in plain sight.
  Especially in women. Especially in people conditioned to wait for permission. You do not need nor have you ever needed permission to shine. And if you’ve given yourself permission, you should check this out!

Saying Yes Before You’re Ready

My TEDx talk was titled “Invisible Brilliance & the Lie of Permission.”

And it was exactly that - a rebellion against the idea that you need someone to tell you it’s your turn.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s this:

You don’t have to wait to be chosen. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to say yes to your voice, your value, your vision.

You have no idea how many people are watching, waiting for someone like you to go first.

So what does this mean for you?

If you’ve ever buried your ideas because someone made you feel small…

If you’ve ever doubted your brilliance because it wasn’t loud, loud, loud…

If you’ve ever held back from starting your podcast, your platform, your personal brand because “Who am I to…?”

I want to remind you:

You don’t need permission. You already have brilliance.

Now? You just need motion

🎤 P.S. Want to Watch the Talk?

I’ll be sharing the full TEDx talk when it drops. But if this essay hit home for you, DM me on Instagram @paulapwul.co and tell me your version of that failed debate moment.

Let’s talk about what happens when we stop waiting and start speaking.