In this interview for the Video Confidence Finisher series, Dinesh Desai— a veteran meditation and breath‑work teacher who has delivered over 200 stage shows and runs podcasts— shares his experience completing the 21‑day Video Confidence Challenge hosted by the Confidence Storytelling Hub. He recounts how, despite a hectic 15‑day family trip to Vietnam, he recorded and posted a short, focused video each day, even filming in bathrooms, kitchens, airports and poolside. The first video went viral, reaching over 100 viewers, and the daily practice gave him a new sense of confidence that "if I can do it, anyone can." He describes the social discomfort of recording in public, the skepticism of his family, and how his persistence turned them into supporters, inspiring his grandchildren to speak publicly. Dinesh emphasizes that expertise is meaningless unless it is shared, urging the younger generation to become visible storytellers. He strongly recommends the Confidence Storytelling Hub for its continuous programs, personal attention from the founder, and supportive community, positioning it as superior to other public‑speaking platforms.
Chapters
Please don't ask that. I tell you why. This was the time when me and my family, we had been to Vietnam for 15 days. I remember I was literally recording my videos in bathroom, in kitchen, on airport, near the swimming pool. But I did it. I did it and completed it. I remember my son used to tell me, When I came here, at that time I was thinking that I am highly educated, highly experienced, so I'll be getting one of the best jobs which is available. But my son very clearly said, Papa, you are not recognized by what you are. You are recognized by what people know you. So whatever knowledge or qualification or the expertise you have, It's of no value unless and until you show it, you tell it.
Instead of just dictating, okay, you do this, you do that, the role model leadership is all about you being the role model, you creating the video and showing that yes, it can be done, and then your family members, your team members, your clients, your vendors, they follow you. Hello everyone, welcome back to this Video Confidence Finisher series where I personally interviewed the member of the Confidence Storytelling Hub who completed this 21-day Video Confidence Challenge. And in that series, my next participant is somebody who is joining us right from Australia who's been part of the community, really guiding a lot of members and also participating very enthusiastically. Yes, I'm talking about Mr. Dinesh Desai. So let me get him. Awesome. So let's get started. Let's start with your brief introduction. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, at present, I help people to change their lives. Because for last 40 long years, I practiced number of different types of meditations and ancient breathing techniques. I was teaching, I was practicing, I was experimenting, and it was, it was working very well. And then after coming to Australia, here to various associations, various clubs, and various places, I go and deliver my programs. I also deliver my programs online. And along with that, for last 3 and a half years, I have started podcasting. So by this time, I have completed about 200 stage shows on various platforms.
Amazing. That's brilliant. So the next question for you is, how long have you been part of our Confident Storytelling Hub?
Well, this is something like— I'm uncomfortable with this question. I tell you why. I was member of this platform for more than one year, but for more than 3 to 4 years I didn't take part at all. I was just sleeping. But all of a sudden, perhaps you are the one who woke me up. And then I started. So that is how for last 7 to 8 months I'm actively participating.
Yes, thank you. And yes, you have said it right, about a year ago you joined, but you are still— now you are coming up and you're doing amazing things. So thank you for what you do. Now I want to go to specific about this video confidence challenge that we did in the month of May. So I know it's a little bit of time and we couldn't do, uh, for some time where for 21 days or so we had some challenges and, and members like you were creating and posting videos. So I want to know from you, what was your firsthand experience in being part of this Video Confidence Challenge?
Well, this was my literally life-changing experience because for last number of years I had a wish and will to upload videos. No doubt I have uploaded also, but none of my video was short, to the point, and for the specific purpose. In this 21-day challenge, I started uploading the videos, and I'm— I feel very proud to say that on an average, every day I was posting one video. So at the end of 21 days, I have posted more than 21 videos. Of course, they are very short, but they are very informative. And the best part of it was, on the first day of my uploading a clip, it went viral and it reached more than 100 viewers within very short span of time. I'm very happy by doing this 21 days challenge.
Amazing, amazing. But you know, whenever we take up such challenges, it's not always, you know, a piece of cake and, and you have everything figured out. And yeah, most of us have some other challenges that come during this process. So I would love to know about what were one or two challenges that you faced during this challenge and how did you overcome those?
"Oh, please don't ask that." I tell you why. This was the time when me and my family, we had been to Vietnam for 15 days. And there we had been to various places. We were moving from one place to another place, either by road or by ship or by plane. So, in a day we were changing Many a times we change 3 to 4 places in one day. So it was really a tough time for me that how to cope up with this challenge. But once again, I, I feel proud to announce that I did it. I did it. I remember I was literally recording my videos in bathroom, in kitchen, on airport. Near the swimming pool. But I did it. I did it and completed it.
And how did it feel? How did you feel when you—
That was really a challenging job because I know the people surrounding me who were seeing, they were literally thinking, what a madman is standing over here. But without bothering for anyone, I remember when I was on the airport, On the airport, it was completely jam-packed, and I was in the one corner. I kept my stand, kept my mobile, and started recording the video. Literally, people around me, they came and they surrounded me. They were looking at me. But there were two options: either I shut it or I continue it. I continued, I completed it, I posted it, I did it.
Awesome, that's amazing. And I, yes, I remember that you always had some amazing background which were not virtual background but real background because you were traveling to different places and your videos also were very captivating. Now I want to ask you very important question, uh, actually couple of questions. The first question is, what has been your major breakthrough moment for this journey? And linked to that question is the second part is, what do you think has been the impact after completing this challenge?
Well, the biggest breakthrough was I got a different type of confidence in me that yes, I can also do. Having my all other duties, having my all other responsibilities, especially having all other type of environment that I faced. But still, when I decided that I must do it, I did it. So, yes, if a person decides, he can do. And if I can do, perhaps anyone can do. So, that is the biggest point that came to me. And from that day, now perhaps I think more than 2 months have passed. You won't believe that every day I am thinking that I will post one small clip. I already noted down 20 topics on which I'm supposed to create the video, but somehow I couldn't do it. But still I'm working on it. I have prepared my speeches, I prepared my topics, I have prepared the story in my mind, and I'm sure that very soon I will start and complete them. So that was the shift that I got. And the second most important thing— will you please repeat that question? What was your second part?
Yeah, the second question is the impact of completing this challenge. What has been the inner shift? What do you think has really changed within you or outside you after this challenge?
The biggest impact that I found in myself is, yes, I can do it. But more than that was my family members. My family members were literally amazed. They were— they didn't believe that I will be able to do it. When I announced on the first day that I have taken up this challenge, and I will be doing this, they just laughed at me. They said it is impossible. You never complete a work which you take. But I did it, I did it. So that was the biggest challenge that I could show it to my children, my grandchildren. Amazing.
And what, and what was the reaction when you announced that you have successfully completed?
They were surprised. They didn't believe it that, oh, you can do it. But they were surprised. Not only that, they also joined me that yes, they also want to do something like that. And my daughter's son, after seeing me, he's, I think, 7 or 8 years old. Just a few days back, he had his birthday. And he delivered a speech on his birthday.
Wow, that's amazing. That is the true role model leadership that we're looking forward to. Instead of just dictating, okay, you do this, you do that, the role model leadership is all about you being the role model, you creating the video and showing that yes, it can be done. And then your family members, your team members, your clients, your vendors they follow you. So amazing. Thank you so much. And once again, many, many congratulations on completing this challenge.
Thank you.
Awesome. So next question is, and probably the second last question is, what is your message for anyone who want to go on this journey of building confidence, learning storytelling, speaking, communication? What's your message for them?
There is one very important message that I would like to pass on to people, especially the young generation, through your platform. And that is, whether you believe or not, whether you accept or not, but tomorrow is the day where people want to see you, people want to believe you, people want to accept you. And that they will do only when, when you perform. I remember my son used to tell me, when I came here, at the time I was thinking that I am highly educated, highly experienced, so I will be getting one of the best jobs which is available. But my son very clearly said, "Papa, you are not recognized by what you are. You are recognized by what people know you." So, whatever knowledge or qualification or the expertise you have, it's of no value unless and until you show it, you tell it, you pass it to others, and other people, they know about you.
That's beautiful, I would say. And yes, this is the sad reality. I was having a conversation with somebody and we discussed that, no, it doesn't matter how much you know unless until you are able to communicate that and articulate that, people won't judge you. Even if you are the best of the best scientist, but if you're not tell, tell people that what is the use of this invention, people won't understand your brilliance.
Very correct. Very correct. You are right. Absolutely right.
Awesome. So the last question, and it's a little cheeky one, but I'm going to ask you anyways. And the question is, would you recommend people to join Confidence Storytelling Hub?
Yes, 100%, because I tell you, by this time I have already attended number of Toastmasters Club, plus I had been to a number of other platforms who are teaching this public speaking and all other things. But the best platform that I have experienced and I have found is the yours one, that is the Confident platform which you are running for two reasons. First reason that all the programs, they are continued either weekly or biweekly or monthly. And second biggest reason is you as a owner of this platform pay personal attention and help those who want to get involved in a much better way. So perhaps this is not possible in other programs. So for these two reasons, I strongly recommend anyone to join your platform if they want to have a shift in their career.
Thank you so much. That is really kind of you. And I want to add one more reason is the community is because of the amazing members like you who come, who participate, who give And I want to— I'm not saying on your face, and I'm saying because I know you put a lot of effort in giving very valuable feedback to others. So I tell to everyone that I may not be available to everyone all the time, but it's the power of the community which helps each other, where people are appreciating you but also giving you feedback to work upon, and then so that you get better every single time you post a video or poster content and audio, etc. So thank you so much once again, and congratulations once again, Dineshji. You've been a role model, and I really wanted to acknowledge you. So thank you so much.
Thank you. Thank you very much. Wish you all the best. Thank you.
Thank you. So here we are, another Video Confidence Finisher interview. Stay tuned, we have many more lined up, and if you are thinking about how can you grow your confidence, how you can be more articulate, how you can present your story to the world, consider joining Confidence Storytelling Hub. And as I say every time, until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep going out of your comfort zone. See you in the next video.
