Body Beautiful: The Final Online Competition
Body Beautiful was stellar, and it carried extra weight for Dan and Rina. It was the final online competition in Speaker Slam® history, the close of a unique chapter that began when the competition pivoted online during the pandemic.
While it was time to get back to live events and the electric energy and connection that comes with them, the online era allowed Speaker Slam® to connect with people all over the world. On March 29th, 2023, the finals featured competitors from Canada and the US, as well as Estonia, Sweden, and Australia. The finals were phenomenal, and the top three were very deserving.
1st Place: Lasaunia Thompson
Wellness Peer Coach | Washington, D.C., US
A newcomer to Speaker Slam®, Lasaunia blew the judges away with her emotional honesty and a powerful story of change to take first place.
2nd Place: Lauren Pires
PR & Media Lead, Invisible Disability Advocate, Give Good Date Founder | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lauren claimed second with a heartwarming and humorous ode to dating with an invisible disability. Watch the speech. She went on to place second at the 2023 Grand Slam that November.
3rd Place: Brian Fuller
Profound Fulfillment Sherpa | Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Brian took third with a heart-stopping manifesto that opened with the words "I am losing my sight." Watch the speech.
4th Place: Anu Tähemaa of Tallinn, Estonia rounded out the top four with her vulnerable share. Watch the speech.
These speeches truly embodied the theme and the entire Speaker Slam® brand.
The Top 20
Body Beautiful drew entries from around the world, and the top 20 leaderboard reflected it:
- Lasaunia Thompson
- Lauren Pires
- Brian Fuller
- Anu Tähemaa
- Mell Balment
- Aliscia Brorman
- Åsa Rydhard
- Jackie Eldridge
- Brett Nelson
- Daniel Burns
- Lauren Clemett
- Nicolette Moore
- Sharlene Lynch
- Maria-Elena Rousseau
- Andrea Mondoux
- Lynda Roy
- Donald Carr
- Angie Bailey
- Kushal Geesawor
- Rimshah Ahmed
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
- Brooke Castillo: Master Certified Life Coach, founder of The Life Coach School
- Nicholas Kusmich: Leading Digital Advertising Strategist, founder of H2H Media Group
- Shawn Quintero: Sales and Leadership Coach
- Samara Bay: Speech and Dialect Coach for TV and film
Their profound insights, amazing prizes, and great feedback elevated the competition. Read more about the panel in Meet Your Judges for Body Beautiful 2023.
Unforgettable Moments
The community was out in full force, and the comments of support made every speaker feel seen and heard.
With Body Beautiful complete, Speaker Slam® headed back to the stage. The next competition, Against All Odds, took place at Lula Lounge in Toronto on April 25th, 2023. See who competed in Meet the Speakers for Body Beautiful 2023.