Dan Shaikh

05/20/2026

My episode of the She & Success Podcast is now live.

I joined Kripa Anand to bring a He for She perspective to the platform. We talked about what personal branding actually means in the age of AI, how to build credibility when you're starting from zero, and why visibility is a system you can learn.

If you've feeling invisible in your industry, this one's for you to get started and change that.

Link in comment section to watch.

05/19/2026

Video highlights from my recent skydiving jump for my 36th birthday.

05/17/2026

My episode of What's Buzzin with Chris and Cam is now live.

I sat down with Chris Steffler and Camryn Sheppard to talk about how Speaker Slam started, going from shy immigrant to hosting North America's largest speaking competition, and what it's like helping people share stories they've hidden for decades.

05/05/2026

Just wrapped a podcast with She & Success Magazine.

They invited me on to bring a different perspective to their platform. They asked about the impact of women in my life and career, and I got to share how my business partner Rina shaped the way I think about communication.

We also got into personal branding, building credibility from zero, and why visibility is a system you can learn.

Episode drops soon.

04/07/2026

Behind the scenes of my interview at Conestoga College Digital TV .ca for an episode of Your Conestoga Today.

We talked about what makes speakers stand out when AI can create almost anything, why authenticity and visibility matter more than polish, and how storytelling can actually drive change.

Grateful to Mamuzo Nwokoro for the thoughtful conversation.

Episode coming out soon!

10/18/2024

Over the past year, I’ve had the biggest media wins of my life for my clients, and I’m ready to share the secret with you: Timing is EVERYTHING when it comes to getting noticed.

The key? Media awareness days. 📅 These are the perfect opportunities to align your message with trending topics and get the media spotlight on YOU. When you know which dates matter most to your brand, you can strategically plan your year and massively increase your chances of landing press, features, and speaking gigs.

That’s why I’ve put together a Media Awareness Day Calendar—so you can start planning your media strategy and make 2025 your most visible year yet.

Want to get ahead? Drop a 💥 in the comments, and I’ll send you the link to download the calendar. It’s time to start being timely with your content and building momentum!

09/19/2024

The 2024 Speaker Season Has Officially Ended – Now We’re Heading to the Grand Slam!

As we close out an incredible 2024 season and gear up for the Grand Slam, we invite you to reflect on the inspiring stories shared this year. If you’re feeling inspired and ready to launch your own speaking journey, now is the time to take action!

We are thrilled to announce that applications are open for our 2025 season. Get ready to share your story, inspire others, and join a community of changemakers with our exciting themes for next year:

Resilience - January 28th, 2025
We’re starting the year strong with stories of resilience. Have you overcome significant obstacles and bounced back stronger than ever? This January, we want to hear how you’ve conquered adversity and turned challenges into opportunities for growth.

Risk - March 25th, 2025
Thrive under uncertainty? This March, tell us about the risks that redirected your life. We're calling on adventurers and innovators who’ve ventured into the unknown and emerged victorious.

The Power of No - May 27th, 2025
This May, we celebrate the strength that comes from saying "No." Share how setting firm boundaries has empowered you to take control of your life and honor your values.

The Underdog - July 15th, 2025
This July, it’s all about the underdog. Have you beaten the odds and proven doubters wrong? Share your story of perseverance and unexpected victory.

Leaders - September 16th, 2025
Unleash the leader within this September. Leadership isn’t just for the select few; it’s for everyone, everywhere. Whether you’ve guided your family, sparked change in your community, or led innovative projects, we want to hear your story.

Apply Now!
Feeling inspired? Ready to take the stage and share your journey? Applications for 2025 are open!

Visit our website to apply and take your first step toward becoming a part of the Speaker Slam community: www.speakerslam.org/apply

09/10/2024

Hey, I’m Dan Shaikh - Publicist for Inspirational Changemakers!

Allow me to reintroduce myself and share how this beautiful journey began:

🌟 I went from being a shy immigrant from Pakistan to co-founding Speaker Slam, North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition. Since its founding in 2016, Speaker Slam has grown into a platform that helps speakers share their life stories to inspire change within their communities.

🌟 At 19, I was full of self-doubt, escaping life through Reddit, where I stumbled upon stories of regret from people who wished they’d done more with their lives. That hit me hard, so I made it my mission to finish my bucket list by 25. I pushed myself to try 5 new experiences a week—everything from skydiving and bungee jumping to traveling the world and even doing stand-up comedy!

🌟 That journey, while exciting, wasn’t enough. It taught me life is about more than just ticking off experiences. It led me down a path of self-discovery.

🌟 It was only after attending a self-development seminar and hearing raw, vulnerable stories that I realized healing starts from within. Going inward, facing my own fears, and embracing growth changed the direction of my life completely.

🌟 This inner work sparked my entrepreneurship journey, eventually leading to the creation of Speaker Slam.

🌟 Today, I'm a publicist for inspirational changemakers—people who’ve overcome adversity and built lives of purpose.

🌟 I help people share their stories of perseverance and resilience by getting their message out through social media, TV, and magazines. My clients have been featured on Breakfast Television, CityNews, CP24, CTV, The Social, CHCH, and more! The impact of my work has led to TEDx talks, paid speaking opportunities, documentaries, magazine features, and viral moments.

🌟 I’m honored to have been recognized as one of The Peak’s 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders—a testament to the work I do in helping changemakers rise.

My mission is to empower others to rise above their challenges and inspire the world with their stories.

If you’re an inspirational changemaker or know someone who is, let’s connect and make your story heard!

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06/27/2024

Super excited to share that I was featured by Toronto Metropolitan University Alumni (TMU) with some tips for recent grads on starting their careers. It's really cool to give back to the place that helped me get to where I am today.

Here are four simple tips to help you get started:

🔵 Build Your Personal Brand: Think about what makes you unique and let that shine. Your personal brand is what sets you apart.

🔵 Cultivate a Strong Digital Presence: Show off your skills online. A great LinkedIn profile and personal website can make a big difference.

🔵 Get Savvy with Social Media: Use social media to network, share what you know, and connect with people in your field. It's a great way to get noticed.

🔵 Get to the Front of the Room: Take every chance to present and lead. Speaking up and sharing your ideas can really help you stand out.

Check out the full feature here: https://ow.ly/cMas50Sl9JZ

Remember, your career is a journey, not just a series of jobs. These tips can help you make your own unique path.

06/27/2024

Excited to share four tips for starting out in your career with recent graduates! Thanks, TMU!

Are you a recent graduate? Here are four tips for starting out in your career from Business Technology Management ’13 alumnus, Dan Shaikh.

Read Dan's tips: https://ow.ly/cMas50Sl9JZ