From the Back Row to Center Stage

Hey Reader! 👋

It's funny how life throws you into the deep end sometimes, isn't it?

Last week, I showed up at an event at Anna University thinking I was just there to hand out certificates. You know, the casual "smile and wave" kind of thing. Sameeha (aka thatpotatoface) was with me, and we were both completely relaxed.

Then, as we're sitting there, Sameeha glances at the event agenda and whispers, "Um, you're supposed to give a keynote speech."

My stomach dropped. If you know me, you know I'm obsessive about preparation. I hate wasting people's time with half-baked thoughts. But there I was – completely unprepared and about to speak to a room full of MBA students.

When Being Unprepared Becomes Your Greatest Teacher

Standing in front of that mic, something unexpected happened.

I looked out at the audience and realized – these students already knew me from my content. There was this instant connection. I didn't have to work hard to get their attention; they were already leaning in.

The conversation flowed both ways. It wasn't me talking at them, but with them.

What hit me afterward was how different this felt from my meticulously planned talks. There was something raw and genuine about it. No rehearsed lines. No practiced gestures. Just... me.

After the event, one student said something that stuck with me. He mentioned that my "Kutty Story" breakdowns helped them revisit what they learned in MBA classes, but in a way that actually clicked for them. It was like translating textbook knowledge into something they could feel and understand.

That moment made all the nervousness worth it.

From College Nobody to Keynote Speaker

The irony wasn't lost on me as I sat there with department heads and professors.

During my own college days, most of my professors wouldn't have recognized me in a hallway. I was nobody special. Just another student trying to get through engineering.

Now here I was, watching students' faces light up when I entered the room.

For someone who was barely noticeable in his younger years, this felt surreal.

But here's what I've been thinking about since that day: our paths are never straight lines. The very things that made me invisible in one chapter of my life became what people valued in another.

From One Event to Another

The same week, I was in Coimbatore for an event at PSG Tech – but this time, I was prepared. They gave me a 30-45 minute slot, which was honestly intimidating. I've given plenty of talks before, but never one that long.

I decided to talk about business storytelling and how it transformed my life. My team helped me prepare a solid presentation, and thankfully, all my jokes landed (there's no worse feeling than bombing a joke in front of hundreds of people, trust me).

What overwhelmed me was learning that many people bought tickets specifically because I was speaking. The same guy who once struggled to get noticed was now someone people were excited to see.

Students approached me after with letters, handmade gifts, and stories about how my content had impacted them. One group had even created a detailed biography of my life, complete with pictures and handwritten notes.

Being Back in Coimbatore

Being in Coimbatore brought back so many memories. I studied there, and during those days, I'd escape my vegetarian hostel food by visiting my aunt's place on weekends for some good non-veg meals.

Even before college, I'd visit my cousin during vacations. We'd go swimming, play cricket with his friends, and just be kids.

Walking those same streets now, but as a completely different person, felt strange but beautiful. The same city that watched me struggle as a student was now welcoming me as a speaker.

A Simple Challenge For You

This week, I want you to try something that scares you – with zero preparation. Maybe it's speaking up in a meeting when you don't have all your thoughts organized.

Or having that difficult conversation you've been scripting in your head for weeks. Or maybe even something as simple as talking to a stranger at a coffee shop or in a park. Just walk up and say hello without overthinking what you'll say next.

The magic happens in those unscripted moments. When we step away from our careful planning and just show up as ourselves.

Because here's what I learned last week: sometimes, our most authentic connections come when we have no choice but to be real.

Have you ever been thrown into a situation where you had absolutely no time to prepare? How did it go? Did you surprise yourself? Hit reply and let me know – I'd love to hear your story.

Keep embracing the unexpected,

Epaphra T

P.S. The roses they gave me at Anna University are still sitting in water at my home. A small reminder that sometimes our most meaningful moments are the ones we never planned for.

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