Meet Dan Shaikh

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniyal Shaikh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dan, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I often get complimented on my confidence and energy as a host at Speaker Slam shows, but what many don’t realize is that I once lived in the shadows, silenced by my insecurities. I was a mute.

Growing up as a shy immigrant, I struggled with English and lacked the social skills to navigate my new Western life. My upbringing emphasized blending in; standing out felt like social suicide. Coupled with body dysmorphia, my inability to communicate made me feel invisible. I’d watch enviously as others commanded attention, while I’d just listen, smile, and nod.

However, everything changed when I stumbled upon the book “6 Pillars of Self-Esteem” by Nathaniel Branden at 19. It was like holding up a mirror to my soul, revealing the deep-seated issues that had kept me silent. This discovery ignited a fire within me.

I plunged into elevating my communication skills. I realized that to evolve, the shy sheltered immigrant in me had to bolster his self-worth. I had to experience life in order to grow. I set out on a mission to experience life, ticking off my bucket list by 25, diving into 5 new experiences a week, and devouring 100 books in a year. Each adventure, each page turned, added layers to my confidence.

But the real metamorphosis happened during a self-development seminar. There, I peeled back the layers of my trauma, confronting my struggles with body dysmorphia head-on. By acknowledging the chains that had bound me for years, I finally broke free.

Today, as I run out on stage to the roaring music of Speaker Slam, leading hundreds in our united chant, I’m not just celebrating the speakers. I’m celebrating the journey of a once-muted boy who found his voice. And if I can do it, so can you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m Dan Shaikh, and I’m not just the co-founder of Speaker Slam; I’m its most passionate advocate.

Speaker Slam is more than North America’s Largest Inspirational Speaking Competition—it’s a movement. Our mission is simple yet profound: to illuminate the transformative power of personal stories.

Every person has a story waiting to be told, a lesson waiting to be shared. At Speaker Slam, we provide that stage, that spotlight. But what truly sets us apart is the raw emotion our speakers bring.

Each event is a rollercoaster of emotions, from tears to laughter, from introspection to inspiration. It’s not just about winning a competition; it’s about touching hearts, changing perspectives, and making a difference.

Beyond the stage, we’re building a community—a space where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Speaker Slam is my way of championing empathy, promoting understanding, and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard. My personal journey has instilled in me a fervent commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Every day, I strive to ensure that Speaker Slam is a beacon for these values.

For those reading this, I invite you to experience the magic of Speaker Slam firsthand. Join us at our next event, be part of our community, and let’s change the world, one story at a time.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
At 10, I proudly declared, “I’m going to be a banker!” It was the dream, the pinnacle of success in my culture, right alongside having an MBA, children, and hair after 30.

By 21, I had that bank job. But the reality? It was far from the dream. I had followed everyone else’s script for success, but it wasn’t mine. Looking back, the skillsets that would make me an asset to Speaker Slam started early. They called me.

(Ring Ring)

As a young lad, I was captivated by the world of YouTube. I wanted to evoke emotions, just like those videos did for me. So, I dived into video editing, creating my own masterpieces by merging Linkin Park music with Dragon Ball Z clips. It was pure joy. But this passion didn’t fit the “banker” mold, so I put it on hold.

(Ring Ring)

A few years later, a Groupon for an improv class caught my eye. I thought, “This is it!” I loved Whose Line Is It Anyway and I needed a new way to work through my social anxiety. It was the perfect hobby. Improv ignited a spark in me. I even ventured into stand-up comedy. But again, the weight of external expectations made me hang up on this call.

(Ring Ring)

Post-breakup, I turned to meetup.com to reconnect with the world. I began to connect with event organizers for the first time and they all had a need. They needed volunteers.

I was hungry, I had nothing else to do except this bank job. I had a lot of time to kill. So I would go and volunteer as their door person. I was the happiest door person you’d see. I ecstatically greeted people like it was my own event, “Welcome! This night is gonna be stellar. You can call me Muscles and I’ll be taking care of you.” I was pouring my heart and soul into something that wasn’t benefiting me other than a drive to learn how to run an event. My job started to pile up and get me busy, and soon this call went to voicemail.

(Ring Ring)

The pieces fell into place when I embarked on a community project as part of that self-development program I mentioned earlier. It required creating something meaningful, and that’s when Speaker Slam was born. Partnering with Rina Rovinelli, we built a platform that amplified voices waiting to be heard. Suddenly, all those “unanswered calls” – video editing, event management, comedy, even my tech corporate career – all converged to shape Speaker Slam. They gave me an unfair advantage in an industry that valued all these skill sets.

So, are you listening to your calls? (I know the NSA is)

Life’s calls guide you. Embrace them. Answer them. While they may seem fleeting or even like setbacks in the moment, they can become invaluable assets down the road. Your journey’s path might be unclear now, but trust that it’s leading you exactly where you’re meant to be. So, take that leap and embark on your next adventure. You may just end up finding your purpose.

(Ring Ring)

Pardon me, my next adventure is calling.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! You see, Speaker Slam began as a humble vision, a stage where people could truly be seen and heard. But it blossomed into so much more – a platform inspiring positive change.

We’re always on the hunt for folks with powerful stories itching to be shared. If you’ve navigated life’s twists and turns, faced adversity, or simply had a ‘yes’ moment that changed everything, we want to hear from you.

Remember those calls I talked about? Well, this might be one of them for you. By joining us at Speaker Slam, you’re not just sharing a story; you’re joining a family of speakers who’ve gone on to do TEDx talks, write books, star in their own documentaries, start movements and so much more.

So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Hey, that’s me!” or even just feeling a little nudge of curiosity, I’d love for you to apply. Check out https://www.speakerslam.org/apply and let’s see where this adventure can take us.

Ring Ring

Could that be your next adventure calling?

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Philip Zave for Speaker Slam stage

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