The Longest Off-Season | Olzhas Zhambyl | TEDxSapiens UP School Youth

Olzhas Zhambyl spent most of his life believing football was not just something he loved, but who he was. In this personal and reflective talk, he explores what happens when the identity you built your life around no longer feels like your own. After years of pursuing professional sport and shaping every decision around one goal, Olzhas found himself emotionally exhausted, lost, and unsure who he was without it. Through his story, he reflects on the pressure of expectations, the fear of starting over, and the freedom that can come from choosing your life for yourself again. This talk is for everyone who has ever questioned whether the path they are following is truly theirs, and a reminder that sometimes letting go is not failure, but the beginning of something more honest. Olzhas is a student at Lazarski University, Faculty of Business Economics. He also works as a Business Development Specialist at an IT consulting company. He likes to find meaning in everything. His biggest inspiration is speaking about vulnerable life moments and encouraging others. 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