No 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.
Meet Your No Risk, No Reward Speakers
Vaishali Joshi
Mindset & Wellness Expert, Human Connection Speaker, Stress Management Consultant | 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 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.
"I am very excited to partner with Speaker Slam to formally launch my professional speaking career which is foundational to my mission to empower people to rediscover fulfilment."
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. 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.
"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. My disability has been my superpower."
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 combines relatable storytelling with actionable insights. As the author of Breaking Free: Stop Holding Back, Start Being You, she has been featured on CHCH, CBC Radio, Chatelaine, Today's Parent, and Thrive Global.
"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."
Pat Doyle
Entrepreneur, Life-long Learner, Father & Husband | Pickering, Ontario, Canada
For over 30 years, Pat Doyle has understood that a company's greatest asset isn't its products or services, it's its people. As the driving force behind Moments That Matter, Pat and his team use branded merchandise not just as giveaways, but as catalysts for meaningful experiences. He believes that when teams truly align, they create something greater than the sum of their parts.
"Be the man I wished I had met 30 years ago by celebrating Moments that Matter."
Charles Achampong
Executive in Residence, Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Charles Achampong is a storyteller, adventurer, and firm believer in the power of pause. After 20 years of leading transformative initiatives in the public, private and not for profit sectors, Charles hit the ultimate reset button, packing up his life to travel the world with his family. That journey became the heart of his bestselling book, Around the World in Family Days.
"For me, Speaker Slam isn't just about stepping on stage, it's about stepping into my story and sharing it in a way that sparks something in others."
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. Her personal journey of resilience began in 2018 when she left a toxic marriage, prioritized healing, and lost 60 pounds to reclaim her health. Featured in Goss Magazine, Jessica inspires audiences with her insights on leadership, stress management, and positive psychology.
"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."
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. Herbert has been performing spoken word poetry at various events in Vancouver, from local open mics to big events like the Canadian Individual Poetry Slam. Herbert is also a piano teacher and collaborator, believing in the importance of leaving our comfort zone for growth.
"Ecstatic, powerful, impactful - speaking on a big stage is something I am so passionate about."
Sofranie Trencia
Certified Mindset & Success Coach, Human Performance Expert | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Sofranie Trencia is a powerhouse of resilience, transformation, and fearless determination. She brings over 25 years of experience in the arts, 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. A defining moment in her career came when she fell 30 feet headfirst during an aerial acrobatics performance in Paris, climbed back up, repeated the move, and won a bronze medal.
"I'll share my personal journey of taking bold action even when terrified, turning setbacks into stepping stones for phenomenal success."
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.
"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."
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. She was named one of the 'Top 10 Indian Women Leaders in Canada' by Women Entrepreneur India.
"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."
Words of Wisdom Speaker
Samantha Moonsammy
Publisher, Speaker, Entrepreneur | Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Samantha is a master community builder with over 20 years in communications, dedicated to elevating others and sharing their stories. At Lucky Book Publishing, she guides authors through VIP programs covering writing, publishing, and marketing. Previously, Samantha was an award-winning event planner, TV host, media personality, and public servant. She has worked on book marketing teams for thought leaders like Elizabeth Gilbert, Deepak Chopra, and Eckhart Tolle.
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.
Judging Criteria (scored out of 100 points):
- 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.