224 Rejections and One Yes: Ravi Prakash’s TEDx Journey | Dare to Declare Podcast | Ep.59
Mon Feb 02 2026
What if the breakthrough you’re waiting for isn’t about trying harder… but about staying the course long enough for life to meet you there?
In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with global keynote and TEDx speaker, author, and transformational strategist Ravi Prakash for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, patience, identity, and the quiet power of persistence.
Ravi’s story reads like a movie script. Born in India to a family shaped by revolutionaries, he faced early adversity, temporary blindness, and more than his fair share of doubt. He arrived in the United States with just $20 in his pocket and $2,000 borrowed, driven by a single conversation with a relative who told him he wouldn’t make it.
He proved them wrong.
Over the next two decades, Ravi went on to lead global teams of over 1,000 people, work across 80+ countries, and hold executive roles with companies like Salesforce, Oracle, Ericsson, Airbnb, and more. But one of the most powerful chapters of this journey is his recent TEDx talk, a dream that took 225 applications, 224 rejections, and years of unwavering commitment before finally becoming reality.
In this conversation, Ravi and Debbi explore what manifestation really looks like in real life, not as wishful thinking, but as consistent action, discipline, and identity-level decisions made long before the evidence shows up.
Ravi shares the stories that shaped him, from losing his sight as a teenager, to the moment a stranger handed him a blank check so he could buy his plane ticket to America, to the daily rituals and inner discipline that have guided his life ever since.
You’ll also hear why Ravi believes purpose isn’t something you decide once and for all, but something that reveals itself through action, and why he says, “Your heart knows. If you listen, it will always guide you.”
Ravi also shares powerful insights about health, focus, leadership, and inner alignment, including the story of how he transformed his own health, ran marathons, and even brought a blender into his children’s school to teach kids about nutrition and stamina for life.
If you’ve ever felt discouraged by delays, rejection, or the feeling that your dream is taking too long… this episode will remind you that life works on its own timeline, and persistence is often the real manifestation tool.
Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about doing more.
It’s about becoming the person who stays committed long enough for the result to catch up.
🎥 Watch This Episode on YouTube
👉 Learn More About Ravi Here
💫 The Dare to Declare Vision Board Magazine & Online Course
🩵Find Debbi on social media!
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What if the breakthrough you’re waiting for isn’t about trying harder… but about staying the course long enough for life to meet you there? In this episode of the Dare to Declare Podcast, Debbi Sluys sits down with global keynote and TEDx speaker, author, and transformational strategist Ravi Prakash for a deeply moving conversation about resilience, patience, identity, and the quiet power of persistence. Ravi’s story reads like a movie script. Born in India to a family shaped by revolutionaries, he faced early adversity, temporary blindness, and more than his fair share of doubt. He arrived in the United States with just $20 in his pocket and $2,000 borrowed, driven by a single conversation with a relative who told him he wouldn’t make it. He proved them wrong. Over the next two decades, Ravi went on to lead global teams of over 1,000 people, work across 80+ countries, and hold executive roles with companies like Salesforce, Oracle, Ericsson, Airbnb, and more. But one of the most powerful chapters of this journey is his recent TEDx talk, a dream that took 225 applications, 224 rejections, and years of unwavering commitment before finally becoming reality. In this conversation, Ravi and Debbi explore what manifestation really looks like in real life, not as wishful thinking, but as consistent action, discipline, and identity-level decisions made long before the evidence shows up. Ravi shares the stories that shaped him, from losing his sight as a teenager, to the moment a stranger handed him a blank check so he could buy his plane ticket to America, to the daily rituals and inner discipline that have guided his life ever since. You’ll also hear why Ravi believes purpose isn’t something you decide once and for all, but something that reveals itself through action, and why he says, “Your heart knows. If you listen, it will always guide you.” Ravi also shares powerful insights about health, focus, leadership, and inner alignment, including the story of how he transformed his own health, ran marathons, and even brought a blender into his children’s school to teach kids about nutrition and stamina for life. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by delays, rejection, or the feeling that your dream is taking too long… this episode will remind you that life works on its own timeline, and persistence is often the real manifestation tool. Because sometimes the breakthrough isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming the person who stays committed long enough for the result to catch up. 🎥 Watch This Episode on YouTube 👉 Learn More About Ravi Here 💫 The Dare to Declare Vision Board Magazine & Online Course 🩵Find Debbi on social media! Instagram Facebook LinkedIn