Empowerment: Going Out With a Bang
The regular 2023 competition season came to an end at Lula Lounge on September 19th, and Speaker Slam® went out with a bang. This was one of the best events we had held, and the competition was stiff. Every competitor put their heart and soul into their speech.
With the regular season complete, attention turned to the Wild Card Race and the lineup for the 2023 Grand Slam of Inspirational Speaking.
1st Place: Lydia Knorr
Health and Wellness Educator
Lydia delivered an elegant, heartfelt tribute speech that captured what it means to embrace the silver lining through tragedy. She won first place and earned her spot at the Grand Slam that November.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam®: $2,000 cash prize & Invitation to the Grand Slam
- Laura Slinn: Avalon Empowerment's Trauma Aware Triple Certification Training (Valued at $9,000 USD)
- Blake Fly: The TED Talk Walk coaching experience (Valued at $1,000) + 2 tickets to Thank U Live (Valued at $200)
- Tami Adams: 3 x 30-minute coaching sessions (Valued at $700)
- Marcos Mendosa: High-Level 1-on-1 Mentoring "Grit" Program + Coachable Company College access (Total value $12,500)
2nd Place: Jay Kalryzian
Father, Creator, Lover of Life
Jay took second with an upbeat and humorous take on life as a single dad.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam®: Invitation to the Grand Slam
3rd Place: Lara Volochkov McCulloch
Chief Shift Disturber
Lara took third with a powerful and insightful speech dedicated to being a voice against racism.
Prizes Won:
- Speaker Slam®: Entry to the Wild Card Race
4th Place: Michelle Jacob rounded out the top four with her proclamation, "I am enough!"
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
- Blake Fleischacker: Husband, Dad, Entrepreneur, and 8-Time TEDx Speaker
- Marcos Mendosa: Coach, Artist, Teacher, and 2022 Speaker Slam® champion
- Laura Cargill Slinn: Entrepreneur, Trainer, Author
- Tami Adams: Founder of TA Speakers Management & Curator of Speaking
Read more about the panel in Meet Your Judges for Empowerment.
Unforgettable Moments
Stephanie Estima delivered an insightful talk on Empowerment, and Giovanni Marsico shared his Pay it Forward Initiative with the room.
One speaker from that night did not place: Martin Lesperance went over time. He entered the Wild Card Race, won it, and two months later was crowned the 2023 Inspirational Speaker of the Year.
The Passion Speed Shares were touching, with Robb Gilbear, Brian Fuller, Nubbia Stirling, and Blake stepping up to the challenge, including Blake's tribute to Philip Zave. The audience was incredible, as usual.
See who took the stage that night in Meet Your Speakers for Empowerment.