Dorsa Derakhshani

Dorsa Derakhshani Speaking Topics

• Checkmate to Setback: Why Failure is a Winning Move

  Dorsa Derakhshani has failed—on global stages, in private moments, and in the pressure of high expectations. And she's learned to be grateful for every single time. From being publicly banned by her home country to losing World Chess Championship Gold for girls under 16 to struggling through medical school setbacks. Too often, we’re taught to avoid failure—but failure has been her greatest teacher. She's learned to reframe failure as redirection.

  In this talk, Dorsa opens up about what it’s really like to be a high-achiever who sometimes falls—hard—and how she's found purpose in getting back up. She explores imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the intense pressure to succeed, especially as a woman, an immigrant, and someone navigating two demanding fields: elite chess and medicine. Through her journey, Dorsa has discovered that failing forward builds grit, emotional maturity, and long-term success. This talk is for students, professionals, and perfectionists like Dorsa who need the reminder that failure doesn’t define you—what you do next does.

  'The human life is made up of choices. Yes or no. In or out. Up or down. And then there are the choices that matter… Love or hate. To be a hero or to be a coward. To fight or to give in'

  Attendee Results:

  • Learn to reframe failure as redirection
  • Gain mental tools for bouncing back stronger
  • Understand how resilience fuels long-term success
  • Walk away more willing to try, fall, and rise again

• The Power of Education: From Exile to Empowerment

  At 18, Dorsa Derakhshani was banned from representing her country. But what that truly meant was something far more personal and terrifying: the place she called home was no longer safe. She was no longer just a chess player—she was now seen as a political threat. Dorsa knew if she stayed, she could be silenced indefinitely. But when everything familiar was taken away, Dorsa found something unshakable: my voice—and she found it through education.

  In this deeply personal talk, Dorsa shares how learning saved and reshaped her life. Not just through books or classrooms, but through mentors, role models, and a relentless hunger to grow. Now, as a medical student and published author, Dorsa has seen firsthand how access to education gave her back her agency, rebuilt her identity, and gave her the strength to speak for others who can’t. This talk is a call to action: never underestimate the power of knowledge. For Dorsa, education wasn’t just a path—it was a lifeline. A passport to freedom, leadership, and lasting change.

  “Education gave me the clarity to stop listening to the noise around me and finally find my true voice.”

  Attendee Results:

  • Find your voice and when you do, fill the silence
  • Reignite personal purpose in learning
  • Reflect on the role of education in identity and empowerment
  • Understand how access to knowledge fuels social mobility
  • Be inspired to pursue and protect lifelong learning

• If There’s a Will, There’s Always a Way: Grit, Growth & Winning Your Inner Game

  Dorsa Derakhshani's life didn’t follow the script—and that’s where grit showed up. As a chess player, immigrant, and medical student, she has faced doubt, pressure, and burnout. She was told her medical school personal statement made her sound like an angry immigrant—well, Dorsa is!!!

  That fire fueled Dorsa's drive to keep moving forward. True success isn’t built in the spotlight—it’s shaped in moments of doubt, pressure, and silence. In this talk, she shares how grit—more than talent—helped Dorsa overcome cultural exile, academic setbacks, and isolation. She explores the psychological tools behind perseverance, discipline, and adaptability, especially for ambitious individuals navigating identity, family expectations, and burnout. Dorsa will show you how to develop your inner compass, cut ties with toxic pressure, and stay the course with authenticity. If you’re overwhelmed, burnt out, or drowning in the noise—Dorsa sees you. And she’ll teach you how to build sustainable momentum—even when no one is clapping yet.

  "You don't get to call me a quitter. I’m the one who stayed. I’m the one who sacrificed. I’m the one who showed up."

  "Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here. And don’t give a damn what anyone thinks."

  Attendee Results:

  • Understand how grit outperforms raw talent
  • Learn how to set boundaries and stay focused
  • Let go of perfectionism and external pressure
  • Leave with renewed energy and clarity on your personal path

• The Loneliness Epidemic: Building Your Chosen Family for Resilience and Growth

  People often see the wins—trophies, interviews, accolades. What they don’t see is how lonely that journey can be. For years, Dorsa Derakhshani chased excellence while quietly feeling disconnected and isolated. This talk is about what helped her climb out of that: community. She shares how mentors, friendships, and choosing the right people saved Dorsa's energy, amplified her growth, and made her better. You don’t have to do it alone—and you were never meant to.

  The phrase “Blood is thicker than water” is often used to emphasize family bonds, but the original proverb flips this idea: “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” This reminds us that family isn’t just who you’re born to—it’s who you choose to surround yourself with. Your real family are the people who support, understand, and lift you up through challenges.

  Drawing from her journey through elite chess, medical school, and cultural displacement, Dorsa explores the loneliness epidemic among high achievers and how building intentional communities can fuel resilience, well-being, and joy. We truly become the average of those we surround ourselves with—and the good news is: you get to choose your circle.

  "So find your people and keep them close. Because when you’re at your lowest, those people get you through."

  Attendee Results:

  • Recognize signs of high-functioning loneliness and burnout
  • Learn how to intentionally build a support system
  • Reframe vulnerability as strength
  • Feel empowered to seek community and connection without guilt

• Authenticity Over Approval: The Power of Vulnerability and Imperfection

  In a world that demands perfection and constant achievement, the pressure to appear flawless can be overwhelming—especially for women, immigrants, and high achievers navigating multiple identities. Dorsa Derakhshani used to hide her struggles behind a mask of competence and strength, afraid that showing vulnerability would be seen as weakness or failure. But she has learned that true growth and connection come when we allow ourselves to be real, imperfect, and seen.

  In this talk, Dorsa shares her journey embracing vulnerability as a source of strength—from the chessboard to the hospital wards. She unpacks how letting go of the need for external approval opened the door to self-compassion, deeper relationships, and authentic leadership. She invites audiences to challenge the myth that perfection is required for success, and to find courage in being imperfectly human. This talk is for anyone ready to step into their full self and find freedom in authenticity.

  “You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”

  “Sometimes it’s good to be scared. It means you’re about to do something really, really brave.”

  Attendee Results:

  • Understand why vulnerability is a leadership strength, not a weakness
  • Learn strategies to embrace imperfection and self-compassion
  • Gain tools to build authentic connections in personal and professional life
  • Leave inspired to prioritize authenticity over external approval