The Underdog: A Night of Resilience, Grit, and Triumph
The atmosphere at Lula Lounge was alive with anticipation as ten remarkable speakers took the Speaker Slam® stage, ready to share stories of perseverance, grit, and defying the odds.
The night was a powerful tribute to the underdog spirit: those who rise when no one expects it, push forward when the path is unclear, and transform setbacks into comebacks. Each speaker brought their own unique take on what it means to be an underdog, proving that when we refuse to give up, extraordinary things can happen.
Meet Your Underdog Champions
1st Place -- Patrick Morrison
Motivational Speaker, Mindset Coach and Ironman Triathlete
Speech: "What If"
Prizes Won:
Speaker Slam®: $2,000 Cash Prize + Invitation to the Grand Slam
Giovanni Marsico: 1 Platinum VIP Ticket to DestinyFest Toronto with 1 year access to Archangel Synergy membership (Value: $3,000)
Tara Slone: 3 hours of media training and interview preparation (Value: $3,000)
Jennifer Ettinger: Pink Dreams Power Hour: Two hours Social PR Consultation (Value: $1,500)
Jodie Davis: 3 hours of media training and mentorship
2nd Place -- Bethelene Hart
Parenting & Childcare Expert, Early Childhood Educator, Family Behavior Specialist
Speech: "The Test is the Lesson"
Prizes Won:
Speaker Slam®: Invitation to the Grand Slam
Giovanni Marsico: 2 Destiny Gold tickets to DestinyFest Toronto (Value: $1,000)
Tara Slone: 1 hour of media training and interview preparation (Value: $1,000)
Jennifer Ettinger: The Pink Dream Alignment Session: 1 hour Social PR Consultation (Value: $550)
Jodie Davis: 1 hour of media training and mentorship
3rd Place -- Rimshah Ahmed
Speaker, Public Speaking Educator, Mental Health & Neurodiversity Advocate
Speech: "Let Them Watch You Rise"
Prizes Won:
Speaker Slam®: Entry to Wildcard Race
Giovanni Marsico: 1 Destiny Gold ticket to DestinyFest Toronto (Value: $500)
Tara Slone: 1 hour of media training and interview preparation (Value: $1,000)
Jennifer Ettinger: The Vision Strategy Map Session: 1 Hour Social PR Consultation (Value: $375)
Jodie Davis: 1 hour of media training and mentorship
4th Place -- Michelle Weger
Resilience Expert, Tech CEO, Bestselling Author
Speech: "It Only Takes One"
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
Jennifer Ettinger -- President & CEO, Pink Dreams Inc.
Giovanni Marsico -- Entrepreneur, Film Producer, Community Builder
Tara Slone -- Radio Host (SiriusXM), Broadcast Host, Juno-Nominated Singer
Jodie Davis -- Entertainment Executive
Their wisdom, warmth, and generosity provided invaluable feedback and life-changing opportunities for the competitors.
Words of Wisdom Speaker: Angie Seth
Angie graced the stage with a story that left the audience uplifted and inspired, reminding us all of the power of taking risks and embracing change.
Unforgettable Moments
Jennifer Maxwell stepped in to co-host, bringing humor and heart to the evening. A longtime member of the Speaker Slam® family, she embodied the essence of the event's theme.
Momentum members showed up in full force, creating an electrifying atmosphere of support and celebration.
What's Next?
Our final competition of the year before The Grand Slam, Leaders, is coming up!