Invisible disability speaker
Physical accessibility advocate
Resilience expert
Helping organizations and individuals discover their “daily yay,” so they can build resilience through joy and create a positive workplace culture.
Based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.
As Seen On…
Lauren Pires’ Keynotes
There Is No Normal: 3 Steps to Owning Who You Are
Lauren shares how she spent years trying to hide the disability she was born with, only to realize real confidence comes from embracing who you are. Through honest storytelling and practical takeaways, audiences break free from the fear of judgment, build resilience, and find the courage to show up as their full selves.
Perfect for: High Schools, Post-Secondary, Youth, Young Adults, Women
Bias, Belief and Belonging: Rewriting Narratives on Disability and Acceptance
This keynote explores Lauren’s journey of embracing her invisible physical disability after 30+ years, common biases and beliefs around disability, and the transformative power of disclosure in fostering personal acceptance, community, and workplace inclusion.
Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Education, Associations
Seeking Strength: How to Build Resilience Through Small Moments of Joy
Lauren shares her journey from hiding her disability to fully embracing who she is. Through personal stories, she reveals how the pursuit of normalcy holds us back from confidence and connection. She introduces a simple three-step framework to help audiences let go of self-doubt, own their story, and show up fully in their lives.
Perfect for: Corporations, ERGs, Associations
Past Clients & Speaking Engagements
About Lauren Pires
Lauren Pires is an award-winning speaker on resilience, joy, and self-acceptance. Born with Central Core Disease, a rare neuromuscular disorder, she navigates life with 33% of the physical strength of the average person—but her unwavering spirit is at 100%.
Named #2 Inspirational Speaker of the Year in North America's largest inspirational speaking competition (Speaker Slam, 2023) and recognized globally on the D-30 Disability Impact List (Diversability, 2024), Lauren is a trailblazer in the disability advocacy space. She made history as the first Canadian recipient of the prestigious "But You LOOK Good" Inspiration Award (Invisible Disabilities Association, 2023), joining past honorees like Wayne Brady and Yolanda Hadid.
As Canada’s first and only Invisible Disabilities Association Ambassador, Lauren has raised over $4,000 USD for the nonprofit. She also played a key role in the global Rare Disease Day #LightUpForRare campaign, leading the lighting of 21 monuments across 14 Canadian cities in 2025.
Lauren believes resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s about embracing joy, saying yes to life, and showing up as your whole self. Through her speaking, she inspires others to own their story, stand in their truth, and find strength in the unseen.
Lauren has been featured on Breakfast Television, CityNews Toronto, GlobalNews.ca, RareDiseaseDay.org and more. She’s based in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada.
Watch some of Lauren Pires’ signature speeches below:
Imagine living your entire life with just a third of the strength others take for granted. Lauren Pires' journey isn't just about overcoming physical limitations; it's a profound lesson in finding joy through adversity.
Lauren teaches that joy is crafted, not found. Her story reshapes views of strength and resilience, showing that true power lies in the heart, not just in physical ability.
From resenting her scar to embracing her narrative, Lauren turns her life lessons into a beacon for all. Her story isn't just about coping with a disability; it's about thriving with unwavering spirit.
In this Words of Wisdom speech at Speaker Slam’s Resilience competition, Lauren Pires shares her journey of living with a rare muscle disorder, Central Core Disease, which gives her just 33% of the strength of an average person.
Diagnosed in her early 20s, Lauren faced fear, self-doubt, and the constant challenge of how to survive in the world. Through her story, Lauren offers words of wisdom on resilience, adapting to life’s difficulties, and finding strength in vulnerability. She reveals how she’s learned to celebrate moments of joy that keep her going, despite chronic fatigue and body pain.
Lauren reminds us that we don’t have to overcome our struggles to succeed—we can find purpose and joy through them. This talk is a reminder that resilience isn't about pretending things are perfect, but about finding gratitude and growth even when life feels difficult.
