Today we’d like to introduce you to Palanivel Manoharan.
Hi Palanivel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello, I am Palanivel Manoharan,B.Tech,MBA,CISSP,CCSP,CCCurrently, I am living in the USA and working as a Lead Cyber Security Architect. I was born in the wonderful village Thiruvathavur in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
My early life was in poverty and obstructions. All these struggles were encouraging one same thing again and again in my mind. “Education and hard work will change our life”. A great dream and execution will create a change not only in our life but in everybody’s life.
I strongly believe Dr.Abdul Kalam sir’s quote. “A dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep”.
He is such an inspiration!. I used to follow him at every step of my life. I desired to be a great speaker and make changes in other’s life. I began speaking on the mic at the age of 6. I love to engage audiences of any age.
As part of giving back to my community initiative, I started delivering Motivational/Cyber Security Awareness/Technical sessions and Engagement speeches completely free for School/college students and people.
I am a professional Cyber Security Architect and passionate/Volunteer speaker.
So far I have done my speeches around more than 200+ stages and still counting.
My dream is to become a great speaker who makes changes in everyone life positively.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Poverty
My path to the stage was forged in the fire of hardship, far from an easy journey. My family was poor, and the struggles of poverty were a daily reality. There were many days when I didn’t get three meals, and I often had to go without basic necessities. Finding clothes to wear or the fees to pay for school were constant battles.
Studying while facing these challenges was incredibly difficult. Every need was a struggle, and the pressure of poverty could have easily derailed my dreams. But instead, it became my greatest motivator.
The challenges I faced taught me a valuable lesson: resilience. They fueled my passion and hard work, pushing me to overcome every obstacle in my path. This is why giving back to the community is so important to me—I know what it’s like to need help, and I want to be a source of support for others. The passion I bring to every stage is a testament to the fact that I didn’t just survive those struggles, I used them to build the foundation for who I am today.
Establishing Credibility
When I first started, I wasn’t a well-known name. Convincing event organizers, colleges, and schools that I had something valuable to say was tough. I had to build my reputation from the ground up, often starting with smaller, local events and working my way up. It meant putting in extra hours to network, create compelling presentations, and prove that I was a reliable and impactful speaker. The goal wasn’t just to get on a stage, but to leave a lasting impression that would lead to the next opportunity.
Balancing Passion with My Personal Life
Speaking at over 200 events—all for free—required a significant personal sacrifice. My passion drove me, but managing a full-time job while also preparing for and traveling to these speaking engagements was a constant struggle. There were many late nights and weekends spent on research and presentation slides. It took a lot of discipline to balance my professional responsibilities, my passion for speaking, and my personal life, all without the financial incentive.
In the end, every challenge has been a learning experience. They’ve taught me about resilience, the importance of networking, and the true value of hard work. They’ve also reinforced my belief that giving back to the community is a reward far greater than any paycheck.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I became a professional Lead Cyber architect, a career that demanded precision, creativity, and years of dedicated study. This success wasn’t just a personal achievement; it was a defiant victory against the circumstances of my childhood.
But my growth didn’t stop there. I am progressing with my passion: speaking. I’ve now had the honor of taking the stage more than 200 times, not for money, but to give back to the community that I believe in. My story proves that where you start doesn’t have to define where you end up. My success is not just measured by my professional title, but by the impact I make and the hope I can inspire in others who might be facing similar struggles.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
From my childhood I always wanted to be a speaker i keep on sharing knowledge
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