Karolina Pelendritou – George Kallis at Inspire 2024: Turning doubt into motivation

Success, moral justification, the struggle with challenges and the ways out of them, and placing ourselves on a pedestal as purely a personal matter, were just some of the subjects broached by Karolina Pelendritou and George Kallis at the Inspire 2024: Entrepreneurial Festival.

In two separate interviews with journalist and presenter Tasos Tryfonos, the two shared their stories off how they managed to turn doubt into motivation to succeed.

Karolina Pelendritou: “Inspire through your struggles”

Three times gold Paralympic medallist and holder of eight Paralympic medals in six games Karolina Pelendritou, stressed the importance of endurance. Indeed, the athlete won her first medal at the Athens Paralympics in 2004 – 20 years ago.

As for her biggest achievement, Pelendritou said she considers it to be able to inspire, to be considered a role model, through personal difficulties and struggles. She described sports as an outlet for her frustration after losing 90% of her sight.

“In my teens, I found in sports the balance that I was looking for, following an event like that, but also an outlet for growth, development and success,” she pointed out.

Asked if doubt can be a motivation for a young athlete, Karolina Pelendritou said it depends how you interpret it; it can either bring disappointment, or it can be taken as a challenge and motivation to put in more effort and ultimately succeed.

Regarding the challenges she has faced, Pelendritou said that at the end of the day, all we are left with is ourselves and we are forced to face our thoughts, problems, anxieties and above all to look for a way out.

George Kallis: Continuous growth and faith in talent

Composer and songwriter George Kallis, who lives and works in Los Angeles, referred to his choice to follow music instead of law.

“I could have been a mediocre lawyer, but I chose to become a good composer,” he said, as he stressed the importance of putting in the effort for continuous growth and improvement in one’s professional life.

Explaining that composing music for a film can be a team effort, he also expressed gratitude for turning his hobby into a profession and stressed that without the love of music, success and longevity in the field is almost impossible.

At the same time, Kallis referred to the difficulties of promoting talent in such a large market. However, he said that when there is talent and love, then at some point the right opportunity for success, recognition and praise will follow.

Information

For the festival’s programme click here.

• Diamond Sponsor: ECOMMBX
  Strategic Partner: Cyta Business
  Gold Sponsors: Bank of Cyprus, Zorbas Group
• Proud Sponsor: OPAP Cyprus
  City Lifestyle Sponsor: Cyfield
• Sponsor: Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC)
  Academic Partner: University of Nicosia
  Silver Sponsors: AdBoard, Capacitor Partners, EnergyIntel, Freedom 24, Τreppides, Petrolina
• Destination Partner: Nicosia Tourism Board
• Supporters: Eurosuccess Consulting, Gravity Ventures Incubator, Jinius, Robura Limited, UMAR | WSR, Alpha Mega
• Padel & Well-Being Sponsor: PadelPro
• Sustainable Transport Partner: Cyprus Public Transport
• Mobility Partner: Bolt
• Accessibility Partner: Ablebook
• Data & Analytics Partner: Drastyc
• With the Support of: CITEA, Cyprus Employers and Industrial Federation, The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cyprus Computer Society, CSR Cyprus, Junior Achievement Cyprus, Karaiskakio Foundation, The Yianis Christodoulou Foundation, The Youthboard of Cyprus
• Official Supporters: National Betting Authority, Research and Innovation Foundation
• Communication Sponsors: Alpha Cyprus, CBN News, GOLD magazine, IN Business magazine, REPORTER, Super FM
• Organised by: Municipality of Nicosia, IMH