2026 Speaker Slam Final Event Recap: A Night of Courage, Reinvention, and Unforgettable Storytelling
The final event of our 2026 Speaker Slam season was a powerful reminder of why these stages matter.
Every competition brings together a completely unique group of speakers, and this night was no exception. What unfolded was an evening filled with honesty, vulnerability, courage, and moments that stayed long after the final speaker left the stage.
As we now look ahead to the Grand Slam on November 21 at the CBC Glenn Gould Theatre in Toronto, we celebrate the voices that brought this season to a close.
1st Place: Japji Anna Bas
Titles: Dr. Japji Anna Bas is a Regenerative Leadership Advisor, Wellbeing Systems Scholar & Systems Change Speaker
Speech: Warrior Woman Rising
Prizes Won:
- From Darius Bashar - The HEARTshot™ Photography Session. A signature photoshoot experience designed for emerging thought leaders to capture authentic, powerful images aligned with their future self. Valued at $3,500.
- From Joze Piranian - The Impact2Income Speaker Intensive 3 hours of private coaching. Valued at $2,000.
- From Cristina Carpio - The Evolve Ultimate Contributor Package. Includes 3 months as an Evolve Magazine contributor, online publishing opportunities, an official contributor announcement on Instagram, and a 1-hour personal brand coaching session focused on positioning, storytelling, and visibility.
- From Nicole Servinis - The Podcast Feature Package. A 1-hour sit-down podcast interview, full promotion across social media and streaming platforms, and distribution through TV outlets.
- From Speaker Slam®: A $2,000 cash prize and an invitation to compete at the Grand Slam.
2nd Place: Wilfred Lun
Titles: Disability Inclusion Advocate, Workplace Inclusion Leader, Resilience Speaker
Speech: Rebuilding in the Dark
Prizes Won:
- From Joze Piranian - The Impact2Income Strategy Session. 2 hours of private coaching focused on turning message into impact. Valued at $1,500.
- From Darius Bashar - A Photography and Social Media Audit. A 1-hour session reviewing visual brand, online presence, and speaker assets with actionable recommendations. Valued at $500.
- From Cristina Carpio - The Evolve Spotlight Winner Package. Includes a 1-hour personal brand coaching session, guest contributor opportunity, and the chance to publish two original articles with Evolve Magazine Canada.
- From Nicole Servinis - Mentorship and Social Media Shoot
- From Speaker Slam®: An invitation to compete at the Grand Slam.
3rd Place: Carol-Anne Schneider
Titles: Real Estate Broker, Life Coach, Reiki Grand Master Warrior, Board Certified Integrative Neurosomatic Practitioner
Speech: [SPEECH TITLE]
Prizes Won:
- From Joze Piranian - The Impact2Income Power Session. 1 hour of private coaching. Valued at $800.
- From Darius Bashar - A Photography and Social Media Audit. A 1-hour session focused on branding, visuals, and speaker presence. Valued at $500.
- From Cristina Carpio - The Evolve Brand Builder Prize Package. Includes a 1-hour personal brand coaching session and a featured article opportunity with Evolve Magazine Canada.
- From Nicole Servinis - Mentorship
- From Speaker Slam®: Entry into the Wild Card Race, giving another opportunity to earn a spot on the Grand Slam stage.
Top 4 Finalist: Bethelene Hart
Rounding out the Top 4, Bethelene Hart brought the room to life with her comedic and heartfelt talk, “Mother Superior.”
Her ability to balance humour with truth gave the audience exactly what they didn’t know they needed that night: laughter, release, and connection.
Every Speaker, Every Story
While we celebrate our winners, this night was never about just four names.
Every single speaker who stepped on that stage brought courage, presence, and honesty. See the full lineup in Meet the Speakers for Reinvention 2026. Together, they created one of the most memorable evenings of the 2026 season.
From laughter to heartbreak, from reinvention to resilience, the room was a reflection of what happens when people choose to tell the truth out loud.
Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen
- Nicole Servinis: Television Host, Producer, Podcast Creator
- Joze Piranian: Global Keynote Speaker, HarperCollins Author, Stand-up Comedian
- Cristina Carpio: Media Personality, Entrepreneur
- Darius Bashar: Creativity Coach, Portrait Photographer, Founder of ArtistMorning.com
Read more about the panel in Meet Your Judges for Reinvention 2026.
Thank You to Our Momentum Community
To our Momentum family, thank you for showing up the way you always do.
Your energy, support, and belief in our speakers is a huge part of what makes these nights so meaningful.
A Special Thank You to Lucky Book Publishing
We are grateful to Lucky Book Publishing and Samantha Moonsammy, our Grand Slam publishing partner.
At the Grand Slam, one speaker will be awarded a publishing deal, an opportunity that has the power to change the trajectory of their message and career.
Closing the Season
What a season. What a night.
And now, we turn toward the biggest stage of the year.
The Grand Slam | November 21st, 2026
CBC Glenn Gould Theatre Toronto
Join us for another unforgettable evening of powerful stories, meaningful connection, and speakers who are ready to inspire.