Speaker Slam® Recaps The Grand Slam 2025

The 2025 Grand Slam: A Night of Legacy, Triumph, and Unforgettable Stories

The CBC Glenn Gould Studio was alive with emotion as fourteen of the year’s most powerful speakers stepped onto the Grand Slam stage—each one ready to deliver their most important message yet. This annual championship is the pinnacle of the Speaker Slam season, where the best of the best return to compete for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.

The night was a celebration of resilience, visibility, healing, and undeniable heart. Every finalist delivered a message worthy of the Grand Slam stage, making it an incredibly tough decision for our judges.

Meet Your Grand Slam Champions

🏆 1st Place – Michelle Weger

Productivity Expert, Resilience Speaker, Tech CEO
Speech: "Your Wake-Up Call"

Michelle took the stage in a stunning green gown with her service dog, Quinn, faithfully by her side. What followed was a courageous and beautifully delivered message that brought visibility to Narcolepsy and challenged assumptions about disability and possibility. Her blend of vulnerability, advocacy, and storytelling captivated the entire room and earned her the coveted title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year.

Prizes Won:

• Speaker Slam - $3000 Cash Prize

• Gordon Breault - Speaking Career Booster (Valued at $6000) Speaking Gig: One Free Corporate Speaking Gig Up to $5,000, Gift Credit Card to be applied towards branding and marketing ($500), One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy, or branding with Gordon Breault ($500)

• Breanna Xavier-Carter - Spotlight Strategy Mentorship: A four-session personalized media coaching program designed to help you define your story, connect with the right media outlets, and shine on camera. You’ll identify your best media angles, curate ideal TV, radio, and podcast contacts, craft compelling pitches, and practice interview techniques to ensure you stand out and get invited back for future appearances (Value: $3000)

• Jacqueline Clements - 3-Hour Legacy Mentorship Experience: A personalized 3-hour mentorship program with TV Host and Producer Jacqueline Clements, designed to elevate your speaking, storytelling, and on-camera presence. You’ll receive guidance on how to communicate with heart, connect authentically with audiences, and build a legacy-driven brand that shines both on stage and on screen.(Valued at $3,000)

• Anne Marie Perrault - AMP Talent Group Representation & Brand Package: Representation with AMP Talent Group for speaking, hosting, and commercial brand deals. It also features two one-hour personal branding strategy sessions (Value $1000). A $1,000 gift certificate toward a custom website design by the AMP It Up PR Creative Team, a professional bio and media pitch deck rewrite to enhance visibility. The AMP It Up PR Brand Strategy Guide — a roadmap to amplifying your presence and positioning your brand for success (Total Value $3000).

• Kat McMorrow - Mentorship package - 3 mentorship sessions, possible introductions and directional support (Value: $3000)

• Angie Seth - Elite Media Training Package – Four two-hour one-on-one sessions covering confidence and presence, public speaking skills, embracing authenticity, and bringing it all to the podium; personalized coaching to help you discover, celebrate, and leverage your authentic self (Value $7,500).

• Evan Carmichael - The “Believe” YouTube Coaching Experience: An exclusive 60-minute in-person coaching and interview experience with Evan Carmichael, filmed at his Toronto studio on December 3, 2025, In North York. The three winners will receive personalized coaching from Evan on building their thought leadership and brand presence, followed by a professionally filmed feature on his YouTube channel (3M+ subscribers). This is a rare opportunity for exposure and mentorship from one of the world’s leading voices in entrepreneurship and personal growth (A priceless opportunity).

• Stu McLaren - The Membership Freedom Experience: A full year of Membership.io software, giving you everything you need to build and launch your own membership website right away. You’ll also receive access to The Membership Experience Self-Study Program, Stu’s complete step-by-step system that has helped thousands of speakers, creators, and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into recurring revenue. Inside, you’ll follow the Core 4 Fast Track, which focuses on the 20 percent of lessons that create 80 percent of results. You’ll also receive bonuses like the Borrowed Influence Blueprint, 7-Figure Launch Script Templates, access to a private student community, and a personal orientation call with his team. It’s a powerful roadmap to freedom, flexibility, and lasting impact. (Valued at $6,667)

   

🥈 2nd Place – Charles Achampong

Executive in Residence, Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker
Speech: "The Story They'll Tell"

Charles delivered a commanding and emotionally grounded message about loss, identity, and the invisible stories we carry. His presence, authenticity, and storytelling mastery earned him a deeply deserved second-place win.

Prizes Won:

• Speaker Slam: $1500 cash prize 

• Gordon Breault - Media Kit Booster:Gift Credit Card to be applied towards video production, writing or website. ($500) One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy or branding with Gordon Breault. ($500)

• Breanna Xavier-Carter - The Media Accelerator Mentorship: A two-session personalized media strategy program designed to help you define your story and craft compelling pitches that capture media attention. You’ll uncover your unique angles, refine your expert message, and learn how to create and deliver standout pitches for TV, radio, and podcast opportunities (Value: $2000)

• Jacqueline Clements - 2-Hour Public Speaking with Purpose Mentorship
  A 2-hour mentorship focused on refining your delivery, storytelling structure, and stage confidence. Jacqueline will help you identify your unique communication strengths and teach you how to craft a talk that inspires, informs, and moves your audience to action (Valued at $2,000).

• Anne Marie Perrault - Representation with AMP Talent Group for Speaking, Hosting & Commercial Brand Deals, 2 X 1-Hour Personal Branding Coaching Sessions (Value $1000) $500 Gift Certificate toward Website or Branding Services, a Personalized Social Media & Visibility Audit (Value $350) The AMP It Up PR Brand Strategy Guide - a roadmap to amplifying your presence and positioning your brand for success (Value $1000).

• Kat McMorrow - Mentorship package - 2 mentorship sessions, possible introductions and directional support (Value: $2000)

• Angie Seth - Media Readiness Mentorship Session: A 60-minute personalized mentorship session with award-winning journalist Angie Seth focused on mastering on-camera storytelling and interview presence. You’ll learn how to craft key messages, handle interviews with confidence, and bring authenticity to every appearance. (Valued at $1,000)

• Evan Carmichael - The “Believe” YouTube Coaching Experience: An exclusive 60-minute in-person coaching and interview experience with Evan Carmichael, filmed at his Toronto studio on December 3, 2025, In North York. The three winners will receive personalized coaching from Evan on building their thought leadership and brand presence, followed by a professionally filmed feature on his YouTube channel (3M+ subscribers). This is a rare opportunity for exposure and mentorship from one of the world’s leading voices in entrepreneurship and personal growth (A priceless opportunity).

• Stu McLaren - The Membership Freedom Experience: A full year of Membership.io software, giving you everything you need to build and launch your own membership website right away. You’ll also receive access to The Membership Experience Self-Study Program, Stu’s complete step-by-step system that has helped thousands of speakers, creators, and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into recurring revenue. Inside, you’ll follow the Core 4 Fast Track, which focuses on the 20 percent of lessons that create 80 percent of results. You’ll also receive bonuses like the Borrowed Influence Blueprint, 7-Figure Launch Script Templates, access to a private student community, and a personal orientation call with his team. It’s a powerful roadmap to freedom, flexibility, and lasting impact. (Valued at $6,667)

🥉3rd Place – Rimshah Ahmed

 Public Speaking Educator, Mental Health, Human Rights Advocate  
Speech: "My Voice, My Legacy"

Rimshah brought fire, heart, and clarity to the stage with a message about reclaiming your worth. Her performance was dynamic, poised, and deeply impactful, securing her a well-earned third-place finish.

Prizes Won:

• Speaker Slam: $500 cash prize

• Gordon Breault - Career Coaching & Consultation:One Hour Elite Coaching Session on Speaker's choice of topics, strategy or branding with Gordon Breault. ($500)

• Breanna Xavier-Carter - The Visibility Mentorship: A one-hour personalized media strategy session focused on helping you craft custom media pitches. Learn how to write and deliver attention-grabbing pitches tailored to your background and expertise (Value: $1000)

• Jacqueline Clements - 1-Hour Speaker Clarity Session: A 1-hour coaching session to sharpen your message, strengthen your delivery, and bring more purpose and polish to your presence. Perfect for speakers preparing for upcoming talks or media appearances. (Valued at $1,000)

• Anne Marie Perrault - Representation with AMP Talent Group for Speaking, Hosting & Commercial Brand Deals, 1-Hour Personal Branding Coaching Sessions (Value $500) The AMP It Up PR Brand Strategy Guide - a roadmap to amplifying your presence and positioning your brand for success (Value $1000).

• Kat McMorrow - Mentorship package - 2 mentorship session, possible introductions and directional support (Value: $2000).

• Angie Seth - Media Readiness Mentorship Session: A 60-minute personalized mentorship session with award-winning journalist Angie Seth focused on mastering on-camera storytelling and interview presence. You’ll learn how to craft key messages, handle interviews with confidence, and bring authenticity to every appearance. (Valued at $1,000)

• Evan Carmichael - The “Believe” YouTube Coaching Experience: An exclusive 60-minute in-person coaching and interview experience with Evan Carmichael, filmed at his Toronto studio on December 3, 2025, In North York. The three winners will receive personalized coaching from Evan on building their thought leadership and brand presence, followed by a professionally filmed feature on his YouTube channel (3M+ subscribers). This is a rare opportunity for exposure and mentorship from one of the world’s leading voices in entrepreneurship and personal growth (A priceless opportunity).

• Stu McLaren - The Membership Freedom Experience: A full year of Membership.io software, giving you everything you need to build and launch your own membership website right away. You’ll also receive access to The Membership Experience Self-Study Program, Stu’s complete step-by-step system that has helped thousands of speakers, creators, and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into recurring revenue. Inside, you’ll follow the Core 4 Fast Track, which focuses on the 20 percent of lessons that create 80 percent of results. You’ll also receive bonuses like the Borrowed Influence Blueprint, 7-Figure Launch Script Templates, access to a private student community, and a personal orientation call with his team. It’s a powerful roadmap to freedom, flexibility, and lasting impact. (Valued at $6,667)

Meet the Judges Who Made It All Happen

• Jacquline Clements

• Stu Mclaren
• Anne Marie Perrault
• Evan Carmichael 
• Breanna Xavier-Carter
• Gordon Breault
• Kat Mcmorrow
• Angie Seth

Their wisdom, warmth, and generosity provided invaluable feedback and life-changing opportunities for the competitors.

Words of Wisdom Speaker: LuckyBook Publishing

Samantha and Simar graced the stage with a story that left the audience uplifted and inspired, our Speaker Slam partners will be working with winner Michelle Weger awarding her a book deal and New York Times Square Billboard worth $20,000!!

Passion Speedshare Spotlight

Our Passion Speedshare speakers lit up the room with quick, memorable stories that added depth and energy to the night. Their courage and creativity perfectly complemented the Grand Slam stage.

What’s Next?

We close this season on a high but the momentum isn’t slowing down.

Our first competition of the new year is Against All Odds, happening in January 2026.
If the stage is calling you, there are 2 spots left to join us.

#SpeakerSlam #GrandSlam2025 #InspirationalSpeaking #TorontoEvents #OneSpeechCanChangeYourLife #PublicSpeaking