Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Shaikh

Hi Dan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I went from being the shy immigrant who never spoke up to becoming the host and founder of North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition: Speaker Slam!

I remember, at the age of 19, I was full of self-doubt and deep insecurities. I would go on Reddit to escape from life. I stumbled upon a subreddit that changed my life. I began reading about regrets from people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Every story I read showed me the decisions that led them to feel miserable and unhappy.

I thought I had found the roadmap to life. If I just did the things they wished they had done, then I would live a happy life. What if I traveled in my 20s? What if I pursued the hobbies I was scared of? What if I sought purpose and passion?

That was when I made it my mission to live fully in my twenties by finishing my bucket list by 25. I did all the big things: skydiving, bungee jumping, traveling around the world, and even facing my fears by doing stand-up comedy. At the end of that journey, I came to a shocking conclusion.

I wasn’t happy. I had gained life experience, but the deep insecurity that held me back from really putting myself out there hadn’t gone away. The self-doubt didn’t go away.

It was only when I got into the self-help world that I was exposed to something different. I attended a seminar where people were sharing their raw, vulnerable stories, and they touched parts of my being that I hadn’t been in touch with. They brought up the things I was running away from.

On the last day of the seminar, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I had been doing what I did most of my life: silently listening and observing.

Judging.

I was too afraid to put myself out there because what I was going through was far too different from what is normally accepted. I couldn’t do this. I wanted to leave. Then a quiet voice inside me urged me to talk to their volunteers privately.

I made a request to speak to someone from their team.

The scariest thing I ever did was open up to someone about my struggle. This was a decade’s worth of shame, and I began to share. My eyes were full of tears as I shared…

The years of pain came out.

I was afraid of these emotions because, deep down, I thought they were parts of me that were unworthy of being loved and accepted.

But in that moment, the listener was in tears with what I shared. My story unlocked part of her shame story that she also felt scared to share. Together, in that moment, we both began to heal something.

For me, it all clicked. I was living with a victim mentality, and I was trapped in a story that wouldn’t let me be me. What would my life look like if I truly took the power back?

This thought was the catalyst for how I would live my life moving forward.

The first action I took was to take out a loan to afford the cosmetic surgery that I had been avoiding for years. This was the investment that I needed in my life. I was betting on me and not on society’s version of self-acceptance.

All my life, I walked with my head down, shoulders curled, wondering if someone was going to verbally attack me.

Then, all of a sudden, the toxic shame I felt about myself was gone. The voice was silenced.

That surgery changed my life. It was like I was given a superpower of confidence.

One month after the surgery, I went to my boss and asked for a raise. I got a $10,000 raise that paid for the surgery itself!

Four months later, Speaker Slam was born.

My life has been a series of moments where I had the courage to say yes, and each moment led me to the next opportunity. A journey full of healing, facing fears, and getting outside my comfort zone.

Now, today, I provide people with a platform to be seen and heard, make an impact, and leave a legacy all with the power of their story.

You have the power to change the direction of your story. You are the author of your life. Embrace your journey, face your fears, and let your voice be heard. Your story matters, and it can inspire others to find their own strength and purpose.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

In late 2018, I quit my job to pursue Speaker Slam full-time. As a brown guy from a culture that values stable careers, this was a huge risk. I was supposed to be a banker, which represented safety and success. But I took the leap, and by 2019, we were riding high with 200 people attending our events monthly. We were helping speakers launch their careers and inspiring the community.

Then, the pandemic hit. Our entire business model, built around live events, crumbled overnight. Refund requests started pouring in, and our momentum was halted. This was only my second year as an entrepreneur, and it was already off to a bad start. We had to pivot quickly, and the biggest lesson I learned was that when one door closes, a window of opportunity opens.

We decided to try an online speaking competition, something we had considered before but never thought realistic. To our surprise, 91 people from the UK, Nigeria, the USA, and beyond signed up for the first iteration. It was an intensive process, but we kept going. Competition after competition, our community evolved, and people from all over the world joined our emerging speaker program.

Even without the physical stage, people kept coming back. Speaker Slam had become a platform for people to share their stories. We gave them permission to be vulnerable and connect. The pandemic forced us to reframe our approach and rethink our business model. We rebranded, launched a new website, developed new marketing materials, and created new products.

It was a long journey and far from easy, but it allowed us to grow in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

When you run into obstacles, there’s an opportunity to look at things differently. It’s a chance to reframe and change the way you think. Just look for the window. For us, the pandemic was a challenge, but it also became an opportunity to come back stronger.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I’m a publicist for inspirational changemakers. I help amazing people who are making a difference get their stories out there. I make sure their messages reach the right people through social media, TV, and magazines.

Inspirational changemakers are people who drive positive change in their communities and beyond, using their stories, actions, and influence to inspire others. They might be leaders, activists, speakers, or entrepreneurs passionate about social justice, mental health, the environment, and education. These changemakers not only strive to achieve their own goals but also empower others to take action and create a ripple effect of positive impact. They often share their personal experiences, challenges, and triumphs to motivate and encourage others to overcome their own obstacles and pursue their dreams.

In essence, inspirational changemakers lead by example, demonstrating courage, resilience, and a commitment to making the world a better place. Their stories and messages have the power to inspire others to believe in their own potential and take meaningful steps toward creating positive change in their own lives and communities.

What I do is help these incredible people get the recognition they deserve. I make sure their stories are heard by a wider audience so their positive impact can spread even further. It’s really fulfilling to see how sharing their stories can inspire more people to make a difference in their own ways.

I work closely with my clients to build their personal brands. This includes social media training, content creation, and developing tailored PR strategies that align with their goals. By doing so, I help them not only reach but also resonate with their target audiences.

One of my proudest achievements is seeing my clients succeed. I’ve helped speakers land on TV and in magazines, get TEDx talks, and secure paid speaking gigs. Their messages have gone viral on social media, reaching millions of people. These successes are a testament to the power of storytelling and the impact it can have.

In a world full of noise, I’m dedicated to making sure the stories of those driving change are heard. Their journeys of overcoming adversity and inspiring others deserve to be shared, and I’m passionate about helping them make that happen.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

People can work with me, collaborate with me, or support me in various ways. Here’s how:
Partnering on Projects: If you’re an inspirational changemaker with a powerful story to tell, I’d love to help you amplify your message. Whether you’re looking to develop your personal brand, land media coverage, or secure speaking engagements, we can work together to create a tailored PR strategy that aligns with your goals.

Media and Speaking Opportunities: If you’re a journalist, TV producer, podcast host, or event organizer, I can connect you with incredible speakers and changemakers who can provide unique and inspiring content for your audience. Let’s collaborate to bring impactful stories to the forefront.

Apply to Compete: If you have an inspirational story or know someone who does, I encourage you to apply to compete on the Speaker Slam stage. It’s a fantastic platform to share your message, connect with a supportive community, and inspire others while developing your brand as a speaker.

Workshops and Training: I offer workshops and training sessions on media relations, personal branding, and effective marketing. These can be tailored for individuals, organizations, or groups looking to enhance their communication skills and amplify their impact.

You can find me at @TheDanShaikh or www.DanShaikh.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://danshaikh.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedanshaikh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDanShaikh
• Twitter: https://x.com/TheDanShaikh
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDanShaikh

Image Credits
Event Photos: Philip Zave
Headshot: Rafid Naeem