author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
soul
Gwen Olsen
youth activist. spiritual traveller. non-judger.
Human Rights Award recipient Gwen Olsen is a passionate activist for children rights who has published numerous health-related articles exposing the inherent dangers of pharmaceuticals. [www.gwenolsen.com]
I spent a large portion of my life being a busy person, working 70 to 80 hours a week. I used to think that meant I was a good citizen and highly productive, but the wealth of my life is actually in my relationships, in the love and truth I share with others, in the present moment that can’t ever be replaced.
I’ve had a couple of near-death experiences which have made me more aware and awake and interested in being present. My first near-death experience happened because of an adverse reaction to a drug I was given during the birth of my son. The drug arrested my breathing and I almost bled to death. During that experience, I observed my body from another part of the room. As my spirit left my body, I realized that my body can die, but my spirit can’t. I was part of everything in the room – not just the other people, but everything. The whole energetic field of the room was part of me.
That experience gave me a deep sense of peace. I know now that I’m an immortal being. I’m a spiritual being here having a human experience. I used to think I was a body that had a soul, but through that near-death experience I realized I’m a soul that has a body. Because I no longer fear death, I’ve gained an extreme sense of relief and release.
My spiritual journey has made me the person I am. I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences I’ve had. I started my spiritual journey by asking questions about my own existence and the purpose of my existence. I’ve seen that when you start a spiritual journey and begin looking for answers, the answers are revealed.
I’m trying to eliminate all judgment from my life. It’s a huge challenge. We tend to look at things and immediately sort them into piles: This is good. That’s bad. But all things have purpose. It doesn’t help to judge the roles people or entities play. I try to remove myself from anger and recognize the paradigms that exist and that need to shift.
I can’t change anyone else and I can’t make the world a less judgmental place, but I can make myself less judgmental and maybe that change will be a pebble in the pond and have a ripple effect on everyone around me.
I try to take responsibility for myself. That’s a big enough job.
– Gwen Olsen
Explore More Meaning
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child advocate. breath taker. ketchup hero.
Jennifer Lehr is a mom, author, child advocate, and a student of unconditional parenting. [www.goodjobandotherthings.com]
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consultant. potential unleasher. transformer.
Christine Grumm, formerly President and CEO of the Women's Funding Network, now heads the Chris Grumm Consulting Group. She's dedicated to helping her clients unleash their potential to transform the world.
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healer. author. receiver.
Alexandra Solnado's path as a spiritual healer began in a moment, when her daughter stopped breathing. Since then, she's channeled books, spiritual therapies, and meditations. [www.alexandrasolnado.net]
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non-profit leader. progressive mind. gerbode fellow.
Adam Borelli is the Executive Director of New Leaders Council. In 2011, he received the Gerbode Fellowship, an award given to the top five non-profit leaders. [www.newleaderscouncil.org]
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shoeologist. meaning maven. ted x'ers.
Shannon Bindler describes her pal, Soph, as a bridge, connecting countless people. Sophie Chiche describes her pal, Shan-Shan, as the sunshine that enters the room. In December of 2012 they presented their TEDxMalibu talk. [Happy Parents of Children who Live Out Loud]
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super blogger. personal freedom seeker. daily assessor.
James Altucher is a trader, investor, writer, and entrepreneur. He has published numerous books, and every day people tune into The Altucher Confidential for his words on success, happiness, and everything in between. [www.jamesaltucher.com]
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artist. blogger. superfreak.
Leah Miller is an 18-year old unschooler following her dreams in LA, NY, Chicago, and Paris. Right now, her passion is the entertainment business and she is following that passion as far and as fast as she can. [leahmiller.typepad.com]
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greatness inspirer. show-n-tell survivor. self-follower.
Best-selling author and speaker David Irvine is one of the most respected voices in Canada on authentic leadership, accountability, and organizational culture. His focus is building trusting workplaces that attract and retain greatness. [www.davidirvine.com]
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