“How I Climbed out of Hopelessness” | Oudai Tozan | TEDxUniversityofGlasgow

In this talk, Oudai shares his story, especially how some key moments in his life shaped his belief and motivations. With his personal story, he hopes to inspire you to follow your goals undeterred by the difficulties you may face.
Oudai holds two master’s degrees, is a winner of the Chevening Scholarship, and a previous champion in swimming. He has a strong passion for learning, as well as development and community service and he plans to devote the rest of his career to this.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@BipinRaviEkka]

You gave me a tight slap Bro.....My life is way better & I'm drowned in hopelessness caused by myself...You gave me strength to climb out of it....Thank you.

[@nickandchrismom]

Beautiful, that you came to this realization. What did you decide to do? What was the outcome?

[@canabcabdi4845]

@@nickandchrismom m0

[@desmondsimon6261]

Instablaster.

[@ApfelFlix]

@Ekkar I am exactly in the same position! I could have already achieved my dreams but because I was not working hard enough for them I have not. On top of that something really unfortunate happened, making achieving my dream a lot harder. I now nearly drown in hopelessness and regret that I didn’t act earlier. But still my situation is much better than the one the speaker found himself in Syria. If he could make it, I can too!

[@notagain3732]

Thank you for sharing as well

[@danielhemandeng5359]

I am suffering the depression and gradually losing hope toward life but your stories inspired me a lot and helped me realize how grateful I should be towards what I already have now. Thank you

[@notagain3732]

Stay strong and dont give up on your dreams fam

[@ferasalshwikani4670]

From Damascus,Syria From all the students here who are still have been suffering from the same circumstances you had underwent one day, god bless you sir we are so proud of people like u to tell our daily story to the world and we still waking up every day to achieve our goals and face the world smiling :) regardless of the WAR

[@nickandchrismom]

Beautiful, God bless you!

[@bhimkallu]

It's so strange how easily we give up and you stand in even worse of a crisis. It's so true we always blame others for our problems instead of taking steps to make life better. Thanks for this lovely talk.

[@khaliddurrani6432]

‘’Don’t surrender’’, so incredible, I salute you my friend , I adore your and i envy you.

[@kellymarose4961]

This deserves so many more likes. This guy is awesome. Keep doing what you're doing, Oudai. Thank you for the talk. You're an inspiration!

[@Risingphoenixx66]

My heart goes out to all people in warzônes and i,m sending all my love. Great respect for this man who achieved so much and endured so much. Admire your strenght and wanted to share his story .

[@ibby421]

What an amazing person! I lived in Syria for three years. Such a beautiful country with loving people like this man. So sad what has happened there. I'm happy and inspired by his story. I hope Syria returns to safety and peace, but with freedom and justice.

[@jasminejones9058]

What a great man WOW looks like there is hope for the world after all (as long as there is more people like him in this world HOPEFULLY there IS ! )

[@mylilpieceofheaven3622]

I felt distressed by failures and now feeling better listening to and writing down your messages even before having my problems solved. Thank you.

[@nickandchrismom]

This is awesome, write down your goals, write down what is needed to achieve them ( equipment) don't give up, keep going, get UP from hopelessness /depression. The world needs what you have inside of you ( strengths, gifts, etc) . You CAN do it!!

[@AHMADSHARAF30]

I am so proud of you oudai, all the best mate

[@polyglotornot]

Funny how similar this hits. Balancing responsibilities with income and language learning. Having to get up at ungodly hours to practice something that you can't practice in your home country. The lack of some basic human necessities like food and consistent shelter. Poverty is nothing like a warzone but in some ways relate to the specific obstacles. Needed this tonight. Also doing it all alone.

[@nagaykei6611]

you don't need to be in a warzone just to lose hope sometimes it can just be from the bad decisions that you made I'll take these into heart and hopefully get out of the grind

[@goblingunk_]

This is so uplifting. I admire this man and his fortitude.

[@jamesvick1085]

This man is an amazing human! I love him!

[@lindalowe337]

Know that you are recognized as an important example of enduring strength and determination. So very proud of your achievements!

[@justiceanderson641]

Your a hero bro, prayers for your family and country ❤

[@TheLugi00]

Great talk Oudai. God bless you.

[@leoz8306]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Wishing you incredible success ❤️

[@dondressel4802]

Thank you for such an amazing talk and trying to make a difference Respect from an American

[@andreiardeleanu650]

I don't know if you see this, but - amazing and deeply inspiring talk, Oudai Tozan! Wish you and your people peace & blessings. Thank you

[@scott7521]

Wow, bless this guy. Thank you for helping me gain some perspective; you are a very strong person.

[@barbaramawinwin5287]

Everyone deserve the hope and dreams what they want to become. Congratulations for your success . Thank you so much.

[@jmzaid8651]

Thank you so much for this talk. It inspire me to keep on climbing even though it felt difficult right now. I will keep on going.

[@mohamedgaber-bn7iy]

God bless you, we are proud of you.

[@chitralekhakachhawa2940]

This is so beautiful... I am totally inspired... Motivated. Thank You

[@farahsummers1171]

Wow! I don't know you so this may sound odd but as one human to another I'm proud of you! You are an inspiration truly & I thank you for your powerful words & for sharing your incredible story. Stay well, strong & the beautiful human being you clearly are! Your wife & child are blessed to have you!

[@khinthu3845]

Thx u for sharing ur journey. You are incredible. I needed to hear this 🙏

[@meekainc]

BRAVO!!!!! ✨✨✨ Really needed to hear this again - thank you!

[@jamesvick1085]

An inspiration beyond most! I salute and thank you!

[@sab_1055]

Around 1915, my tita (grandmother) fled Syria due to war and persecution. Traveling alone and speaking no English, she came to the US. to marry my grandfather. His first wife passed away, leaving him two children. Tita bore him three more. He too died young. Tita provided for five small children through the Depression, loving his children as much as her own until she died in 1985.

[@tarzana4]

Your TedTalk made me cry. Thank you for your message. 🙏

[@floribelsamanthaluceno8880]

Very powerful speech and very warm. Thank you very much and may God bless you even more!💖😇🥰🧡🧡🧡

[@arlinegeorge6967]

Great great talk . Inspiring . Thank you, bless you. All your dreams come true.

[@HAlagoz1]

WOW!! The most inspiring, moving & heart-felt Ted Talk I have seen. We need more positive role models like you. Thank you!!

[@mahtabjahantab7637]

You are the right hero of your life, that is the most important thing a person can do .. It is so interesting when just a great happiness comes how the long history of hardship disappears just in a moment,

[@amaralsafwe6385]

Proud of you my brother

[@marylau6813]

Great inspiration! You are a hero. Well done.

[@Anurag-ib1qz]

Thank you do much mate! Your talk will keep me going on in my journey .....!

[@seanmorrison7415]

That bit toward the end... Pulled me up a bit. Thank you for sharing your story with us, I think I'm ready to move a bit farther forward now.

[@djensen5691]

Very inspiring!! Wishing you and your family all the best!

[@anaisanain7355]

Thank you for sharing this. I needed to hear this now.

[@victoriay.3004]

Very inspiring story. Thank you

[@kristylynn1329]

Thank you! So powerful!

[@moaminalgalali1785]

What a speech, I really admire that guy.

[@elkammash]

I am totally inspired with your talk. Thank alot

[@lordali4821]

تستحق الاحترام اسال الله ان يفتح أمامك ابواب النجاح والخير

[@galegreyson4196]

Fantastic. Very inspirational. Good for you, rising from the swamp.

[@almadelacruz3198]

What an inspirimg ang motivitional talk! I am so grateful to hear this .

[@saurabhniley4982]

Thanks for the powerful talk 🙏❤️

[@sauravbalodi5178]

Really motivating. Hats off to his determination and persistence.

[@nickandchrismom]

Indeed, great talk

[@SonPham-re7ku]

Best Tedx Talks vid i've ever seen. it motivates me alot

[@alisaramirez5967]

This has really really helped me

[@purnimaaiyer2949]

An awesome talk.May Almighty God bless and help you always

[@omarhammami96oh]

Thank You Oudai.

[@dewirizki8206]

Tozan, thanks for telling this! It is a good life story that motivated me to see hopes still and reach those firmly!! I am an Indonesian with very complex governmental issues with social welfare.

[@malakalhussaini6707]

powerful and inspired!

[@sarfrazshah6604]

yes i am feeling motivated ...someone wake me up tomorrow

[@user-cl6uj5bn2f]

Amazing and inspiring❤️🙌 Thank you. This is inspiring me on my depression journey🙏🕊

[@shahedqureshi1836]

Powerful - thank you 🙏

[@TheIknowStanShow]

This was a great and his speech helped to motivate me to move way from feeling hopeless towards purpose.

[@nadaalsayel]

and all Syrian proud of you..

[@Elegance191]

Thank you..I will try to have hope. Thank you.

[@ccc23892]

Thank you

[@moreadventure3627]

I just don't know what I want to do with my life. If I knew I would go after it.

[@alekodimitrov2635]

You don't have to like/love/enjoy what you do initially. Just start something, get good at it and you'll find out whether it is for you.

[@SharlenesJourney]

Same here I don't know my purpose and I feel very lost in life. I hope that you're okay now 🙏🏽

[@phyuphyarsoe6919]

Thank u so much.

[@EXPERTNET1983]

Really motivating thank you..

[@meleshadgu3230]

It is inspiring and hope we all find hope in life. Life is always good no matter how difficult is the situation.

[@Onlinesully]

Meles Hadgu Can you explain this collect a little further please ? Thanks

[@lupitatheartopus6088]

Incredible Human Being, Father and Husband ♥️

[@sarah86847]

Wow!!! What an inspiring story

[@anapaulawauke2462]

Wow I needed to see this talk. 🙏👏👏👏👏

[@doablefilms9380]

great story and speech, congratulations

[@alialhamad6724]

تستحق النجاح اسال الله ان يفتح أمامك ابواب النجاح والخير ومساعدة الاخرين

[@zarinsubha1866]

So many useful words.. thanks a lot sir👏

[@muertito8077]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@musicalmanojj]

Thank You

[@gianninongmaithem6133]

My Salutation to you Qudai, you are a real great to all your countrymen, God Bless you always

[@waltporter7707]

Inspiration at it's best

[@thewillsfamilyaccount6486]

Brilliant my brother! Just brilliant!! 👍

[@shizzle1903]

Deserves way more views. Bravo

[@Chef_Steve]

from isiolo,kenya,when you were needed you stepped up to the plate and most definitely your son will understand .....and now i am needed,to serve God in dreaming and climbing despite the circumstances,its to know why we were created and to what purpose e must achieve,asante bro that means thank you

[@Onajourney519]

This is inspiring

[@Tabkhati369]

proud of you

[@s-onefreshperception8233]

That was incredible. Keep climbing

[@tasneemahsan523]

The best ted talk

[@tintunton2330]

If you are aimless or experiencing lowness, try reciting "Al Haadi, Al Rahim" 100 times everyday. The creator will guide you in few days InshaAllah.

[@notagain3732]

It is talks like this one that make us realise how powerful words can be . A few words in a specific order and here we are getting emotional and motivated , after feeling down or weak just listening to him talk about hos own experience we start to feel stronger and more resilient. Thank you so much for sharing this with us

[@demean2798]

Hearing his stories, seeing your comments makes life's beautiful, the beauty of humanity's motivate me. Thank you, him and the billions out there, lets all go forward with beauty and dignity. 🙏🙏🙏

[@AnnaMaria-nu4en]

My heart goes out to the people of Syria. ♥️ Makes me so sad to hear of their plight. I remember seeing a really good video about what a big tourist destination it was and all the riches it had in the museums and art galleries and ancient landscapes. I can't find it now. I'm feeling really down about how lockdowns have changed the world. As someone who lives alone stuck in an apartment in a city doesn't have much money and can't drive its been soul destroying. I was trying to learn to drive then a year no lessons allowed. Now I get one a week but they may lock us down again in September. Govts cab take the joy out of life. Lockdown and all the media about it has stressed me so much I've become physically sick. I worked in a uni once and there was a Syrian guy and he was so sad. Yet so handsome. He was studying for a degree yet every time he travelled he was treated like a criminal and had to get special permission after interview to go to conferences. I hate racial profiling. And I hope Syria will heal once again and we can learn more about this country.

[@rafealrusdi5499]

Hope you are doing better now...

[@pivko93]

wow beautiful, thank you

[@odapty]

❤️👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 You are a héroe!!

[@dennisr.levesque2320]

A very brave try. But, I can tell that you realize it's a continuous struggle, that you're not out of the danger zone yet. I don't know what else to say. Good luck.

[@alisaramirez5967]

God bless

[@satishchoudhar2565]

Nice .

[@Linda-ot3pj]

I am so sorry for the suffering of the Syrians and many others in the world. Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you to give you a hope and a future (Thus saith the LORD ) There is grave danger if our mind goes into the pit of despair. The hardest climb is the climb out of the dark pit of hopelessness not Mount Everest

[@g.ashwinshiva6578]

I seen this before iam this now also, no change ,but will try to change now

[@chgofirefighter]

Some people have better coping skills than others, depression and hopelessness is one of the worst things any human can experience

[@thesavagesenior2047]

Needs many more likes!!!

[@maureenwm]

Amazing, I am challenged.

[@ashmeadali]

Build spiritual confidence and strength the easy way. Sing HU every day. The free HU app shows how.

[@USSY405]

Very inspiring. I will return to this comment section in 2020 having acquired my L.L.B. Law degree from the University of Edinburgh.

[@sathikraj]

How did it go ?

[@aokookello5564]

I hope it went well. Planning to join Edinburgh in 2021

[@GavleFiske]

Did it go well?