Speaker Slam® Announces Speaker Lineup for the 2025 Theme "No Risk, No Reward"
Feb 11, 2025No Risk, No Reward: Embracing the Unknown to Achieve Greatness
Life’s greatest opportunities come to those who dare to take risks. No Risk, No Reward is about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and having the courage to pursue your dreams despite the fear of failure. At Speaker Slam, you'll hear from speakers who have taken bold leaps, faced their fears head-on, and discovered that true success comes from risking it all for what truly matters.
“If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.” – Geena Davis
Join us on March 25th, 2025, live in Toronto at Lula Lounge, for Speaker Slam®, an electrifying night of inspiration, transformation, and personal breakthroughs. Witness 10 extraordinary speakers share their powerful stories of risk, resilience, and reward—stories that will challenge you to take the leap in your own life.
What is Speaker Slam?
Speaker Slam® is North America's largest inspirational speaking competition, dedicated to cultivating influential speakers, changemakers, and thought leaders. We provide a platform for individuals to share their life stories and inspire their communities to take action. Each year, we hold 5 competitions, each featuring 10 speakers delivering 5-minute inspirational speeches around a specific theme. Winners receive prizes valued up to $10,000, including $2000 cash, and move on to the prestigious Grand Slam - The Inspirational Speaking Finals in November, where they compete for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year against the best speakers of the year.
Meet Your No Risk, No Reward Speakers:
Lindsey Mazza
Lawyer turned leadership catalyst coach, Consultant and Disability Advocate
Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Lindsey is an entrepreneurial lawyer turned leadership catalyst, disability advocate and motivational speaker. She knows all about what the power of self- advocacy can do to transform your calling and your future. Having been born with a physical disability that has affected all aspects of her life, she has tapped into the power of her own voice to change her narrative so that others can step into their true purpose.
After dedicating a life to serving others through advocacy, Lindsey is now taking her story to center stage where her calling has led to a desire to impact as many people as possible through her own resilience, passion and intuition. If you are looking to make an unexpected personal breakthrough or step into the spotlight of your own life, Lindsey’s words will leave you inspired and motivated.
"Having been born with a physical disability, I spent most of my life trying to hide being different. It wasn't until tragic circumstances, that I was forced to stop hiding. It was through this journey that I realized the most amazing thing, my disability has been my superpower. The one thing that I was so afraid to talk about has given me the strongest voice. Taking the stage at Speaker Slam will allow me to share my strength with others and evoke the change I know that I am being called to be part of."
Jessica Spence
Motivational Speaker, Mentor, and Certified Spiritual Life Coach
Gloucester, Ontario, Canada
Jessica Spence is a motivational speaker, mentor, and certified spiritual life coach dedicated to helping others find alignment, embrace balance, and achieve success with purpose. With a background in dental hygiene and the health and wellness industry, she discovered her passion for leadership, public speaking, and mental health advocacy.
Her personal journey of resilience began in 2018 when she left a toxic marriage, prioritized healing, and lost 60 pounds to reclaim her health. Along the way, she met her supportive partner, Brad, who embraces her daughters as his own.
Featured in Goss Magazine and a speaker at various wellness events, Jessica inspires audiences with her insights on leadership, stress management, and positive psychology. Based in Ottawa, she balances her professional life with fitness, family time, and spiritual growth. Her mission is to leave a lasting legacy of empowerment, resilience, and transformation.
"Stepping onto the Speakers Slam stage for the first time feels electric—it’s a leap outside my comfort zone and into a space where courage and connection collide. This is a chance to turn vulnerability into impact!"
Herbert Fong
Speaker, Pianist, Poet
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
An emerging spoken word poet, pianist, and mental health advocate, Herbert strives to change lives through meaningful communication, action, and inspiration. From giving speeches as part of their work in mental health advocacy, to transforming music education through kindness and inclusivity, Herbert believes in the importance of community and connection, and strives to make the world a better place.
Herbert has been performing spoken word poetry at various events in their hometown of Vancouver, from local open mics to big events like the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. Herbert is also a piano teacher and collaborator, an experience that has provided so much productive growth. In their free time, Herbert loves photography and adventure, from traveling around the world to creative journeys like ocean kayaking and scuba diving, as they believe in the importance of leaving our comfort zone for growth, and taking risks to see the world from new perspectives.
"Ecstatic, powerful, impactful - speaking on a big stage is something I am so passionate about."
Shannon Talbot
Human Connection Expert, Workplace Well-Being Speaker, Author
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Shannon Talbot is a Human Connection Expert, Workplace Well-Being Speaker, and Author who helps leaders foster happier, healthier, and more engaged workplaces. With over 15 years of international corporate leadership experience across advertising and financial services, Shannon has driven transformative initiatives across the Americas, earning a reputation for her ability to energize teams and create cultures of trust and collaboration.
As the author of the acclaimed book Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You, Shannon combines relatable storytelling with actionable insights, inspiring professionals to embrace authenticity and unlock their full potential. Her expertise has been featured on CHCH, CBC Radio, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent, and Thrive Global, positioning her as a trusted voice in leadership and workplace well-being.
Armed with an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and certifications in transformational coaching, Shannon blends academic knowledge with real-world experience to deliver fresh, dynamic perspectives to her audiences. Her unique ability to connect with people at all levels has made her a sought-after speaker, workshop facilitator, and thought leader.
"This is one of the scariest and most exciting things I have ever done, but as I am all about breaking free and living boldly, I am ready to rock the stage."
Sofranie Trencia
Certified Mindset & Success Coach, Human Performance Expert
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sofranie Trencia is a powerhouse of resilience, transformation, and fearless determination. Based in Montreal and a true global citizen, she brings over 25 years of experience in the arts—as a performer, artistic director, and casting director—combined with deep expertise in psychology, neuroscience, and high-performance coaching. A certified coach with the Bob Proctor Institute, Sofranie is on a mission to help artists, entrepreneurs, and athletes break free from limiting beliefs, redefine their self-image, and unlock the extraordinary success they deserve.
Her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From enduring two life-altering burnouts to overcoming personal tragedies, she has faced the depths of fear and emerged stronger. A defining moment in her career came when she fell 30 feet headfirst during a high-stakes aerial acrobatics performance at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in Paris. Instead of surrendering to fear, she climbed back up, repeated the move, and turned that near-tragic fall into a moment of triumph—winning a bronze medal and solidifying her place among the world’s elite performers.
Sofranie’s coaching is rooted in this unshakable belief: fear is not a signal to stop but a call to act. Through her strategic mindset training, she empowers her clients to reprogram their mental frameworks, overcome obstacles, and achieve emotional freedom, abundance, and peak performance.
"Join me, Sofranie Trencia, on March 25th at Speaker Slam for an electrifying conference that will transform fear into unstoppable power. I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of this incredible event—Rina and Dan are just amazing! In my session, I'll share my personal journey of taking bold action even when terrified, turning setbacks into stepping stones for phenomenal success. You'll discover how embracing risk unlocks incredible rewards and learn that when fear strikes, it's time to act, push forward, and triumph. Get ready to ignite your inner fire, shatter your limitations, and seize every opportunity to succeed. Let's make March 25th a day of fearless transformation. See you at Speaker Slam!"
Vaishali Joshi
Self-Leadership Coach, Public Speaker, Mental Healthcare Advocate
North York, Ontario, Canada
Vaishali Joshi has spent over 20 years on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the vast potential of the human mind and body. A certified Hatha and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher, she has deepened her mindfulness and self-awareness practice through renowned masters and organizations, including Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Wim Hof, and Eckhart Tolle.
Her passion for adventure has led her to remarkable challenges, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018 and conquering Gokyo Peak in the Himalayas in 2022. Her experiences—especially the lessons learned from not reaching Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar—have become powerful insights on planning, adaptability, and self-leadership.
Vaishali is dedicated to mentoring others on embracing change and taking ownership of their transformation. She teaches that with self-awareness, introspection, and a commitment to continuous growth, anyone can consciously invoke and execute meaningful change in their lives.
"I am very excited to partner with SpeakerSlam to formally launch my professional speaking career which is foundational to my mission to empower people to rediscover fulfilment by standing firm in their presence, purpose and potential."
Charles Achampong
Aanchal Vash
Author, Motivational Speaker, High Performance Wellness Trainer
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aanchal Vash is an award-winning thought leader, professional speaker, and bestselling author of five transformative self-help and professional development books. Her journey into inspiring hope began after the loss of her older brother to malaria and her twin brother to suicide, igniting her passion for supporting high achievers struggling with their wellbeing.
Aanchal specializes in delivering high-impact workshops and keynote speeches, empowering professionals to navigate the demands of high performance while sustaining mental and emotional health. Her dynamic presentations and actionable strategies leave audiences equipped to cultivate lasting success and fulfillment.
She was named one of the 'Top 10 Indian Women Leaders in Canada' by Women Entrepreneur India. She received an EXPY® Award in California from the National Association of Experts, Writers and Authors, a Community Development Award at the University of Toronto, and a Quilly® Award in California from the National Association of Bestselling Authors.
She has appeared frequently in the media, including ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Chicago Weekly, California Daily Review, London Daily Post, LA Progressive, Yahoo Finance, Park City TV, Hollywood Live TV Show and many others.
"Stepping onto the Speaker Slam stage isn’t just about speaking—it’s about owning my story, inspiring change, and leaving an impact that lasts beyond the mic."
Carlyn Morris
Founder/CAO - Chief Adventure Officer of Back to Wild Adventures
Dowagiac, Michigan, United States
From scaling Zion National Park’s Angel's Landing to a life-changing encounter with Bighorn sheep in Utah, Carlyn Morris has always found her truth in the wilderness. After 25 years of shaping digital marketing strategies, this 5'3" Texas native with a ten-gallon personality is now leading a movement to make the outdoors accessible to all through Back to Wild Adventures.
An accomplished improviser with the Beckwith Theater Group and a two-time performer for audiences of 700+ at Chicago's Fear Experiment, Carlyn brings theatrical flair and authentic storytelling to her mission of connecting people with Mother Nature's healing power.
Known affectionately as "Mama Carlyn" from her years nurturing families at camps for children with medical challenges, she combines heart, humor, and outdoor expertise to break down barriers that keep people from experiencing nature's transformative magic. Now based in the rustic charm of Dowagiac, Michigan, Carlyn is a fierce destroyer of limitations – both her own and those of the people she serves.
Through Back to Wild Adventures, she's creating a movement where everyBODY can discover their own spiritual awakening in the great outdoors, proving that nature's embrace knows no boundaries.
""You know that feeling when your heart's racing, your palms are sweaty, but you're absolutely certain you're exactly where you need to be? That's me, stepping onto the Speaker Slam stage. They say the journey of a thousand speeches begins with a single spotlight - and I couldn't have chosen a better launching pad for my professional speaking career. Equal parts terrified and electrified, but mostly grateful for this incredible opportunity to share my story alongside such remarkable speakers!"
How the Competition Works:
- 10 speakers deliver 5-minute prepared speeches on the theme.
- Judged by 4 industry experts.
- Prize package valued at up to $10,000, including $2000 in cash. Top 2 Move on to Grand Slam.
- Speech Rules: Props allowed, music requiring technical setup not permitted. Exceeding 5.30 minutes results in point deductions. 1 point for every 5 seconds.
- Speeches are scored out of 100 points across these categories:
Judging Criteria
- Message Clarity (25 pts): Clear, concise, powerful, and meaningful messages.
- Storytelling (25 pts): Vivid, descriptive, captivating personal stories.
- Transformative (15 pts): Inspiring, impactful, and transformative for both speaker and audience.
- 'IT' Factor (15 pts): Star power, unique identity, and creativity.
- Entertaining (10 pts): Engaging and entertaining through props, humor, or performance.
- Presentation (10 pts): Effective body language, vocal variety, and authenticity.
Join us on March 25th and experience the power of self trust – the strength to take the leap.
Who will be the next to spark transformation and create a ripple effect of taking a chance?
